The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), observed annually on 3 December, celebrates the resilience, contributions, and leadership of persons with disabilities (PwDs) worldwide. This day serves as a reminder of the global commitment to fostering inclusivity, advocating for the rights of PwDs, and creating equitable opportunities for all.
This year’s theme is “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future”.
History
The International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992 by United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. It aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development and increase awareness of their situation in every aspect of political, social, economic, and cultural life.
Building on many decades of UN work in the field of disability, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), adopted in 2006, has further advanced the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other international development frameworks.
Initiatives by the Indian Government
India has made significant strides in promoting the rights and inclusion of Divyangjan (Persons with Disabilities) through various policies and campaigns. A few of these initiatives are listed below:
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
In order to give focused attention to policy issues and meaningful thrust to the activities aimed at the welfare and empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), a separate Department of Disability Affairs was carved out of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on May 12, 2012. The Department was renamed the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities on December 8, 2014. The Department acts as a nodal agency for matters pertaining to disability and persons with disabilities, including effecting closer coordination among different stakeholders: related Central Ministries, State/UT Governments, NGOs, etc., in matters pertaining to disability.
Accessible India Campaign
The Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan), launched on December 3, 2015 aims to achieve universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) across India.The key focus areas include improving Built Environment Accessibility in public spaces, enhancing Transportation Accessibility for independent mobility, creating an accessible Information and Communication ecosystem, and expanding Sign Language Access through interpreter training and better media support.
Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS)
DDRS is a central sector scheme to provide grant-in-aid to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for projects relating to the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities aimed at enabling persons with disabilities to reach and maintain their optimal, physical, sensory, intellectual, psychiatric, or socio-functional levels. The scheme aims to create an enabling environment to ensure equal opportunities, equity, social justice, and empowerment of persons with disabilities and to encourage voluntary action to ensure effective implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
District Disability Rehabilitation Centre (DDRC)
The District Disability Rehabilitation Centre (DDRC) aims to address the needs of persons with disabilities through a multifaceted approach. Its objectives include early identification and intervention, raising awareness, and assessing the need for assistive devices along with their provision and fitment, arrangement of loans for self-employment and more. Additionally, it acts as an outreach center for services provided by National Institutes and works to promote a barrier-free environment for individuals with disabilities.
Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/ Appliances (ADIP) Scheme
The main objective of the Scheme is to provide grants-in-aid to the various implementing agencies (National Institutes/Composite Regional Centers/Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India. (ALIMCO)/District Disability Rehabilitation Centers/State Handicapped Development Corporations/ other Local Bodies/NGOs) so that they are in a position to assist needy persons with disabilities in procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances to promote their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation by reducing the effects of disabilities and at the same time enhancing their economic potential.
Schemes For Implementation of Rights of Persons With Disabilities Act 2016 (SIPDA)
The Scheme for Implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (SIPDA) is a comprehensive “Central Sector Scheme” that encompasses 10 sub-schemes following its revision during the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) meeting on 11th August 2021. This revised scheme, approved by the Hon’ble Finance Minister, is designed to operate from 2021–22 to 2025–26. The sub-schemes under the SIPDA umbrella are as follows:
– Creation of Barrier-Free Environment (BFE) for Persons with Disabilities.
– Accessible India Campaign (AIC) to enhance accessibility.
– National Action Plan (NAP) for Skill Development for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
– Unique Disability Identification (UDID) Project for issuing UDID cards.
– Awareness Generation and Publicity (AGP) combined with in-service training and sensitization of key government functionaries, local bodies, and other stakeholders.
– Financial support to Study and Research on priority areas of disability sector and to Research & Development of suitable product, aids & appliances for empowerment of PwDs
– Assistance to Spinal Injury Centers, new name after merger of State Spinal Injury Centre (SSIC) and Indian Spinal Injury Centre (ISIC) sub-schemes.
– Cross Disability Early Intervention Centres (CDEIC) to address disabilities at an early stage.
Sub-schemes categorized as Projects under SIPDA, such as:
– The Braille Press Scheme, implemented through NIEPVD, Dehradun.
– Financial support for existing Deaf Colleges in five regions, executed through AYJNISHD, Mumbai.
– Establishment of a Central Project Monitoring Unit (CPMU) cum Data Strategy Unit (DSU) for effective implementation and data management.
These components collectively aim to empower persons with disabilities, ensuring accessibility, inclusivity, and holistic development.
Divya Kala Mela
The Divya Kala Mela is a national-level fair dedicated to Divyangjan and represents a significant milestone in India’s journey toward inclusivity and empowerment of the Divyangjan, or differently-abled individuals. Historically, artisanship in India has been a source of identity and livelihood for many communities. For centuries, crafts have been passed down through generations, weaving together local traditions and skills. However, the participation of Divyang artisans has often been overlooked. The establishment of the Divya Kala Mela marks a pivotal shift in recognizing and celebrating the contributions of these artisans.
PM-DAKSH
PM-DAKSH (Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi) Yojana is a one-stop destination for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), skill training organizations, and employers across India to be a part of the National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities implemented by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD). Under this portal, there are two modules:
Divyangjan Kaushal Vikas: Skill training is conducted for PwDs through the portal across the country.
Divyangjan Rozgar Setu: The platform aims to act as a bridge between PwDs and employers having jobs for PwDs. The platform provides geo-tagged based information on employment/earning opportunities within private companies as well as PwDs across India.
Advancing an Inclusive Future
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) serves as a call to action for nations to recognize the potential of persons with disabilities as active contributors to society. India’s initiatives exemplify the progress toward an inclusive and equitable future. As the global community comes together, the message remains clear: a truly sustainable and peaceful world can only be achieved by ensuring the full participation and leadership of everyone.
