-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Add your name to the CLEAN GOA INITIATIVE | | | | by visiting this link and following the instructions therein | | | | http://shire.symonds.net/pipermail/goanet/2005-October/033926.html | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Friends,
There are about 70 million disabled people in India, most of whom are confined to there home due to complete lack of infrastructure. Any attempt to travel, enter buildings, parks or shops can be impossible, unsafe and humiliating, not just for the person with mobility impairment but also for persons with visual and hearing impairment. They remain unseen, unheard and therefore unaccounted. Denial of access to disabled people results in their isolation from Society, leading to lack of education and employment. We strongly believe that if the infrastructure is made accessible and barrier free, a lot of other problems being faced by disabled people will be solved to a large extent. Inclusion of the disabled, about which much is being spoken, will be a reality in day to day living. The Disability Act, 1995, a landmark legislation, which was enacted a decade ago, mandates accessible public areas, transport etc. It also provides for preferential allotment of land to disabled people. However even after ten years, most provision remains only on paper. There has been some efforts in the post Disability Act period, but these efforts are patchy and unsystematic. Inaccessibility of educational institutions is leading to systematic denial of educational opportunities to people with disabilities. The involvement rate of disabled students in the universities was found to be 0.1% and in schools it was 0.5%. Due to physical and attitudinal barriers disabled students are being forced out of education system and the number of students with disability enrolling for admission sees a significant decrease over the years. This is the Tenth year of the Disability Act. Talking of education, employment, rehabilitation will prove to be wasteful, unless we act in a serious manner. Our efforts to upload and defend the dignity and rights of the disabled will bear more fruit only if we all work together. It is high time for all of us to see that the Disability Act is implemented with greater earnestness. The Theme for World Disabled Day which is on 3rd December, 2005 is Its time for Action Tenth year of the Disability Act. On this occasion the Goa Disability Network in collaboration with Department of Social Welfare has planned a celebration, to be held at the Municipal Gardens, opposite Church Square on 2nd December, 2005 at 3.30 pm. All are invited for the event. Come and show your solidarity with the Disabled. Regards Avelino de Sa President DISABILITY RIGHTS ASSOCIATION OF GOA C/o Star Investments Opp. Head Post Office Panjim, Goa - 403 001. Telefax: 0832 - 2427160 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.disabilitygoa.com "Making way for the differently abled in Goa"