Section 16: Conclusion - International Commitments
India is a signatory to the Declaration on the Full Participation and Equality of People with Disabilities in the Asia Pacific Region. India is also a signatory to the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an inclusive, barrier free and rights based society. India was part of the negotiations on the UN Convention on Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities. The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 was adopted to give effect to the Proclamation on the Full Participation and Equality of People with Disabilities in the Asian and Pacific region. The National Policy for Persons with Disabilities, 2006 was also adopted in furtherance of these international commitments, which are a two way process aimed at realizing economic, social and cultural rights for persons with disabilities. The government is in the process of evolving a framework for the implementation of the UN Disability Convention. The XI Plan document recognizes the need to integrate India's commitment towards the International Policy Framework consequent on ratification of the Disability Rights Convention on 01 October 2007. Since it is just a year since India ratified the UN Disability Rights Convention, the government is still in the process of designating a framework to promote its implementation. However, a significant step has been in the deliberations on this matter in the processes that put the 11th Five Year Plan in place. This will provide us with a policy framework for the next five years at the national level and will enable a convergence between different sectors that is so significant for the realization of disability rights.