Section 8: Enhancing Knowledge and Access
Article 19 of the Constitution of India guarantees to all Citizens the Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression. This is a generic right that applies to Persons with Disabilities who are Citizens of India. The Persons with Disabilities Act 1995 places the responsibility on appropriate government and local authorities to facilitate full and free expression of this freedom through the introduction of flexibility in the examination system and the curriculum that will benefit in particular children with visual and hearing impairments.
The right to free speech, and expression and the right information for persons with disabilities can only be realized through the entrenchment of multiple media communication in everyday level. While all citizens of India have the right to freedom of speech and expression, under article 19 of the Indian Constitution, and while all citizens have the right to information under the right information act, realizing this right depends on the provision of information and the enabling of speech and expression in diverse ways -- sign language, Braille, and the range of audio, visual, electronic and print communication. The recognition of the need to put special mechanisms in place in order to realize the fundamental right to speech of persons with disabilities is one that has not yet been made.
The National Policy for Persons with Disabilities commits the state to undertake research in the socio-economic and cultural context, cause of disabilities, early childhood education methodologies and development of user friendly aids and appliances. It also aims to support research on all matters connected with disabilities which will significantly alter the quality of life and civil society's ability to respond to their concerns
. The Ministry of Science and Technology will be required under the policy to set up a Rehabilitation Technology Centre for coordinating and undertaking research and development.
- Note #42
- Schemes of capacity building, training and care and shelter through National Trust registered organisations
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The National Policy also addresses communication needs by making information service and public documents accessible through Braille, tape service, large print and other appropriate technologies. The National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999 42 enables persons with disability to live independently, while being close to the community and drawing support from their families. Persons with disabilities who do not have family support will, under the mandate of the Trust, be supported by registered organisations or guardians and trustees appointed through an established procedure. Programmes supported by The National Trust Act aim at creating a conducive environment in the community, counselling family members and carers, and promoting foster family care and day care for persons who need it. The objective of The National Trust Act is to facilitate the realisation of equal opportunities, and the protection of rights and full participation of persons with disability. Vision 2020 43, the policy statement put out by The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, envisions a society which is truly inclusive and egalitarian, where every individual, including persons with disabilities, have equal opportunities for access to the services they need in order to develop their full potential
. Recognising the link between poverty, health and social vulnerability, the Vision 2020 statement envisages
the creation of an environment where all preventable diseases and disabilities are prevented through a much cleaner, non polluting, hygienic environment and sanitary living conditions including availability of potable drinking water... complete food security ... and ... special care including immunisation... so that there is no consequent disability. By 2020, the society at large will be aware of issues such as the importance of prevention of disability by simple life style changes... which has an inter generational impact on mortality, morbidity and disability.
The Eleventh Five Year Plan proposes a determined effort to mainstream the hitherto neglected needs of persons with hearing and/or speech impairment and aims at providing access to information in all its forms.
The promotion of awareness on issues of disability, although it is high on the agenda of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, occupies a marginal position in the public space and exists in episodic fashion, not systematic or concerted. The efforts of civil society groups in promoting awareness on the other hand are commendable.
While the Broadcasting Corporation of India44 has as one of its primary objectives the promotion of positive images of children, the blind, and the elderly
, state-run channels do very little to create an enabling an environment and the media for persons with disabilities. Here as well, it is independent filmmakers who focus on the issue of disabilities with sensitivity and commitment.