Programme on creation of accessible environment for PwDs held

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, Sept 7: In view of the tionwide Accessible India Campaign, the CBM India Trust, Bangalore in collaboration with office of Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Government of Meghalaya and Bethany Society Shillong, organized a training programme on Accessibility and Access Audit at Monfort Centre for Education in Tura on Wednesday.

The aim of the programme is to create awareness as well as to sensitize stakeholders, government officers, and professiols such as engineers, architects, students and others about the campaign.

CBM India Trust is an Intertiol Development organization working for people with disabilities worldwide.

Addressing the iugural function, Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities C Kharkongor stated that it is the vision of the Government to have an inclusive society in which equal opportunities and access is provided for the growth and development of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to lead productive, safe and dignified lives.

 “With this vision, a tion-wide Awareness Campaign towards achieving universal accessibility for all citizens including PwDs was launched and in this direction, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has conceptualized the Accessible India Campaign or Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan as a tion-wide flagship campaign,” she said. Further, she informed that the campaign targets at enhancing the accessibility of built environment, transport system and Information & communication eco-system.

While stressing the need to bridge the gap between normal person and PwDs, she said that even though the society is aware of disabilities differences persist among the people which requires immediate attention to put an end to discrimition and eble them to gain access for equal opportunity and live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life in an inclusive society.

In her keynote address garath briefly highlighted the objectives and functions of the CBM Trust, Bangalore and also informed about the basics of accessibility for PwDs.

Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 under Sections 44, 45 and 46 categorically provides for non-discrimition in transport, on the road and in built environment respectively.

Moreover, as per the guidelines of the Accessible India Campaign, Access Audit would also be conducted on selected buildings like Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Tura, Workshop Building No.11 of Industrial Training Institute Tura, Administrative Building of Basic Training Centre at Rongkhon, Tura Civil Hospital, Sub-Divisiol Office (Civil) at Dadenggre and Deputy Commissioner Court Building at Williamgar on 8th and 9th September, 2016 after which accessibility report would be submitted to the government for necessary ratification.