After achieving the credit of being the only State to adopt reservation policy in promotions for persons with disabilities, Punjab Government, in another initiative, has decided to make barrier-free buildings for them.
The barrier-free buildings would be constructed after making amendments in the building by-laws.
Already, Punjab Government has adopted reservation policy in promotions for disabled — the only state in the country — reserving three per cent seats for the disabled persons in recruitments.
In addition, Punjab Government has also rationalized the policy for issuing disability certificates by making a single doctor competent to issue these certificates.
The steps taken by the Punjab Government towards assuring equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation of the persons with disabilities were appreciated by the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities from the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Prasanna Kumar Pincha.
Pincha is in the city on his two-day visit to Punjab to review the status of implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act in the state. He pressed for strict implementation of the Act in all states.
Appreciating Punjab’s initiatives, Pincha said that Governments and the local authorities, with a view to prevent occurrence of disabilities, should conduct surveys, investigations and research concerning the cause of occurrence of disabilities. Besides, various methods of preventing disabilities should be promoted, and children should be screened at least once in a year for the purpose of identifying “at-risk” cases.
Pincha also asked to organize awareness campaigns, using pre-schools, schools, primary health centers, village level workers and anganwadi workers for creating awareness among masses and other mediums such as television, radio and other mass media should be utilized for making aware people regarding causes of disabilities and the preventive measures.
He said that every child with disability should have access to free education in an appropriate environment till he attains the age of 18 years.
“Though effort should be made that students with disabilities study in normal schools, but setting up of special schools in government and private sector for those in need of special education should also be promoted,” he added.