News

Volume 2 Issue 9 - May 01, 2004

Disabled celebrate verdict on ramps

DNIS News Network -- Over a hundred disabled people gathered at India Gate to celebrate the Supreme courts directive to all State governments to provide facilities to enable disabled people to exercise their right to vote.

The verdict was seen as a positive step towards providing access to public places for disabled people. Representatives from various organisations gathered to celebrate to the sound of loud sloganeering and the beat of drums. The provision of ramps and Braille labels are some of the changes that should be seen in the coming elections.

"We are proud of the decision made by the Supreme Court," said Javed Abidi, convener of Disabled Rights Group (DRG). Abidi however slammed the BJP and Congress for not including the issue of disability in their manifestos.

Alok Sikka, a disabled person present in the celebrations said: "Merely getting entitled to this right would not be enough. We should exercise the right. Only then will it hold any meaning."

Mr. Abidi hopes to take up the issues of the hearing impaired and leprosy affected voters in the next court hearing, set for July.