If we go by trends coming in, BJP is ready to form government in the state: hope they implement what they have promissed in their manifesto. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1141223/jsp/jharkhand/story_4777.jsp Cheda Oraon, a polio-stricken youth, on his way to a polling booth in Lohardaga on November 25
The results of the Assembly elections 2014 on Tuesday may be a watershed for the state, but the outcome may not make any difference to a section of the electorate - the disabled. Issues that concern parents of special children as well as disabled adults - both voting populations - hardly featured on any political party's manifesto, campaign rally or speech. Only the BJP mentioned implementing the 3 per cent job reservation for the disabled on its manifesto, but every party had stayed silent on inclusive education for special children. According to Jharkhand Education Project Council, only 66.68 per cent children between the ages of six and 14 years with special needs have been enrolled in Jharkhand's government and private schools. Only 600 government teachers have been given basic orientation on inclusive education with stress on special children's needs. The situation is no better in private schools, as Circular 45 of CBSE where certain assistance for children with disabilities is enshrined, is not followed. As far as adults with disabilities go, the state promises 3 per cent job reservations on paper but can't guarantee this on the ground. The state's apathy towards the disabled can be gauged from the fact that the post of disability commissioner has been lying vacant since a year, ever since Satish Chandra's retirement. Recently, speaking to The Telegraph, Chandra had said: "I had requested a few political parties to include inclusive education and reservation for the disabled in their manifestos. Most children with disabilities remain out of school, their parents don't get the Rs 400 monthly allowance meant for them. Inclusive education is important as students learn to live, learn, play and grow with others. There are national and state policies for inclusive education but the mechanisms to implement them must exist." Abhinav Kumar, in-charge of JEPC's inclusive education wing, agreed: "We need to strengthen inclusive education as disabled children don't get all the benefits they are entitled to. We hope the new Jharkhand government forms a road map to connect the disabled to the social mainstream." Rahul Mehta, the director of Chotanagpur Sankritik Sangh, a social organisation, who played leading role in drafting Jharkhand State Disability Policy that was approved in 2012 by the state government, said the plan of action was still pending. "The policy aims to empower disabled persons through education and social security. But, the benefits aren't trickling down to people. Most political parties aren't aware of acts, policies and schemes meant for the disabled," Mehta said. -- Avinash Shahi Doctoral student at Centre for Law and Governance JNU Clean India Campaign: Let us also chip in! Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of mobile phones / Tabs on: http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list..
