Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Network of lawyers mooted to help the disabled

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, FEB. 22. A workshop on disability laws today focussed on sensitising lawyers to the laws pertaining to rights and privileges of persons with disabilities and formulated a plan of action for four States and two Union Territories in the southern region.

Jointly organised by Vidya Sagar, a Chennai-based non-governmental organisation working with disabled persons, and National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), a Delhi-based organisation, the workshop brought together lawyers, NGOs and disabled persons from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Pondicherry and Lakshadweep.

Besides sensitising lawyers to the People with Disabilities Act, the National Trust Act and the Mental Health Act, the meet sought to evolve a network of lawyers under the banner of Disability Rights Law Network to extend legal assistance to persons with disabilities for asserting their rights.

The workshop was part of the activities of the recently-established Disability Legislation Unit in Vidya Sagar. It also sought to develop an action plan for States and Union Territories to influence a change in the government policies to accommodate persons with disabilities, said Rama Chari, Senior Programme Officer, NCPEDP.

Participants discussed the discriminatory practices of the Department of Personnel and Training in the recruitment of disabled persons in civil services. There were many instances where persons with disabilities, despite their clearing the examinations, were not allotted any of the services, said Poonam Natarajan, Founder-Trustee, Vidya Sagar. The scope for many bright disabled persons had been narrowed down due to the identification of jobs for them. "They should be allowed to chose jobs of their liking."

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