Chairing a State Advisory Board meeting of the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) Department, Minister Ashok Panda on Friday said the Government has many proposals for development of persons with disabilities (PwDs).
Steps would be taken for implementation of the provisions of the RPwD Act, 2016, retrofitting of all existing Government buildings and inclusion of accessibility features in all new public buildings, reservation for PwDs in higher education, employment and all poverty alleviation measures of the Government, ensuring of at least 5% reservation in private sector, development of a text to speech Software for Odia language, giving them access to service in banking and other financial institutions and access to services under the MGNREGA and all other Government programmes.
Besides, the Government would also engage special educators in all schools and establish Equal Opportunity Cells in all colleges and universities for PwDs. There would be a special counter for them at each RTO office.