The members of the Joint Action Committee for People with Disabilities staged a protest on Monday, demanding the passage of the Rights of Persons With Disabilities Bill in the winter session of Parliament. Persons with disabilities, caregivers and members of educational institutions walked to the Freedom Park carrying placards, seeking the passage of the bill, pending since 2014.
The bill proposes to increase the number of specified disabilities from seven to 25 and to include conditions such as muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, learning disability and sickle cell disease in the list of disabilities.
Speaking to DH, Ruby Singh, Director, Assisted Living for Autistic Adults, said that having undergone several amendments, the bill should at least be passed during the winter session of Parliament. Singh demanded that the universal identity cards be provided to persons with disabilities.
The members demanded that a monthly living allowance (pension) of Rs 3,000 for people with 40% disability and Rs 5,000 for those with disability above 70% and reservations. in private sector as per the direction of the Supreme Court. Special schools should be considered and treated on a par with other government-aided schools and the salary of special teachers should be increased, they further urged.
Published 21 November 2016, 20:07 IST