Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Get-hooked
  • In notifying RPWD Act, Delhi government stands tall above other states

In notifying RPWD Act, Delhi government stands tall above other states

Get-hooked January 3, 2019
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

It may have been late in coming, but the manner in which the Government of Delhi has notified rules under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, has shown the way to other states, and even the Centre.

By notifying the rules, Delhi joins a handful of states, including Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur Meghalaya, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Bihar. Shameful that that over a year after RPWD Act 2016 was enforced, most states have not notified rules, which is the first step towards implementing the Act.

The approach of the Delhi government has been refreshingly different, points out disability rights leader Dr Satendra Singh, who was a member of the advisory committee set up by the government to look into the process.

“The Delhi government constituted a separate committee to discuss all the stakeholder suggestions it received on its draft rules. Because of the involvement of disability experts, Delhi state rules are progressive and more accountable, and in some ways even better than central rules”, says Dr Singh.

So, what does this mean for the people of Delhi? It means disabled people can now avail of concessions and benefits in education, health services, loans, jobs and other schemes offered by the state government.

The other significant takeaway is that establishments can no longer discriminate on disability grounds.

We have specifically mentioned that the Health Department of the Delhi government will notify the certifying authorities for issuing of disability certificates. The process will be simplified now such that different departments concerned with the respective disability will issue the certificate. We have also clearly pinpointed which authorities are responsible for creating awareness. This way we can ensure that everyone in invested. – T D Dhariwal, State Commissioner, Disabilities, Delhi Government

There are several other welcome steps to improve the monitoring and efficiency of schools for children with disabilities. “Anyone can open a special school as of date, but standards of teaching are poor. They are not bound by any syllabus, so the terms and conditions for recognizing special schools have been laid out”, added Dhariwal.

There are many other aspects in which the Delhi government’s approach is progressive. While the Centre says that every establishment must publish an equal opportunity policy for people with disabilities, it does not specify a time limit. The Delhi government has clearly set down a six-month timeframe.

“This is very progressive when we compare it to larger states like Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu where equal opportunity policy do not even find a mention”, points out Dr Singh. “There is accountability there. Telangana has this rule but no timeframe. This defeats the purpose of the Act. Disability is a State subject and the onus is on the States to promote welfare over and above the minimum prescribed in the Central Rules.”

Some other notable differences are:

  • All complaints to the State Commissioner, Delhi, by aggrieved persons must be settled within 30 days at the most. The Centre has a time limit of 60 days, as is the case with Tamil Nadu and Telangana. Uttar Pradesh has no time limit.
  • The Delhi government committee on research into disability will include a disabled doctor so the needs of the community are reflected. None of the other states have done this.
  • Terms and conditions relating to recognition of educational institutions specified, which has not been done in the Centre.
  • The Delhi government will offer assistance to people with disabilities with high support needs. Again, not specified by the Centre.

Dr Uma Tuli, Founder, Amar Jyoti Charitable Trust, an organization that works for the rehabilitation of people with disabilities in New Delhi, was also a part of the advisory committee. She hopes that the rules will finally pave the way towards better implementation of RPWD Act 2016. “The problem has been weak implementation. We have all these guidelines in place but nothing has happened in a concrete way on the ground. Hopefully that will now change.”

A change that Dr Singh says, “bring hopes of a new era”.

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Contribue to Newz Hook |Disability news. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature disability stories or share disability news with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Technology

Digital platform ScreenPlay helps with early childhood testing for developmental disorders

Get-hooked

#ChampionsWithCP – Miranda House student Anushka Tiwari aims to make the world a better place for people with disabilities

Get-hooked

“Know your strengths & create opportunities for yourself”- My Take by Vasundhara Koppula

Get-hooked

#WonderWoman - Challenges bring out the tough side of Divya Sharma, a visually impaired content writer

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook | Disability News - media site focusing on Disability Stories and Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight disability news, offer inclusive solutions and create accessible collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who will share disability stories and news.
Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.