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
  • Accessibility
  • Kerala government honour for empowering disabled people gets mixed reviews from activists

Kerala government honour for empowering disabled people gets mixed reviews from activists

Accessibility November 26, 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)

Recently, Kerala government won the ‘Best State in Promoting Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities’ award for year 2019 from the central government. Though the state government has previously introduced many programmes for people with disabilities, nothing substantial has been implemented till date. The state still has a long way to go when it comes to creating an inclusive environment. Disability rights activists point out that the central government must have merely analysed reports and figures while the state largely remains inaccessible for people with all kinds of disabilities.

Over the last few years, the government of Kerala had introduced many programmes for empowering and enabling people with disabilities in the state. The Social Justice Department of Kerala under leadership of Minister KK Shailaja has received a lot of praise for their initiatives. Last week, Kerala won the ‘best state in promoting empowerment of persons with disabilities’ award for year 2019. Disability rights activists point the award might not be really deserving as the state government still has a long way to go when it comes to implementing the programmes for members from the community. Even the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 has not been fully implemented yet in Kerala.

Reports state how renowned hospitals across Kerala do not have even basic wheelchair ramps. A wheelchair user is unable to go to a hotel or restaurant without another person’s help. The government announces new projects and schemes claiming to empower people with disabilities which later gets dropped due to lack of funds. Thousands of applications were received for electronic wheelchairs, but not even a single person has received it. People with different types of disabilities who are eligible for jobs still remains unemployed.

Unni Maxx, a disability rights activist from Kerala points out the pathetic condition of a state.

I’am beginning to think how much more worse it would be for disabled people in other states in India. Apart from big cities, small towns in the country largely remains inaccessible. As a wheelchair user, I have never felt that the government does enough for us here in Kerala. We are unable to even go outdoors to public places due to lack of wheelchair ramps. Most of the times, disability rights groups take initiatives and provide awareness to officials at different public spaces. The state government is not even there in the picture.-Unni Maxx, Disability Rights Acivist.

Kerala Social Security Mission, National Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (NIPMR), Kerala State Handicapped Persons Welfare Corporation and National Institute of Speech and Hearing are some of the pioneer government run organisations that works towards empowering disabled people in the state. Reportedly, the award will be handed over to the government by the President of India on 3 December, which is celebrated as International Day of Disabilities.

“This is definitely a positive note for Kerala government when compared to other states. But I must say that we still have a long way to go. Just because we are a little advanced than our counterparts, doesn’t make us the best. When a new project is introduced, it immediately gets dropped off and the government says that it is due to dearth of funds. Nothing substantial ever gets done for the real empowerment of disabled people”, says Jomy Joseph, a disability rights activist from Kerala.

Also Read: All tourist spots in Kerala will be disabled-friendly & accessible by 2021, promises State Tourism Minister K Surendran

Watch in Sign Language

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

Get-hooked

#WonderWoman - Mariyath's grit & determination in the face of disability makes her a youth icon

Get-hooked

Understanding Teaching Nonverbal Children

Get-hooked

#BeingMom - What makes Nalini Srivastava such a power mom?

Get-hooked

Veruschka Foundation starts online cooking modules for people with developmental disabilities

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.