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
  • Coronavirus-news
  • Mixed reactions from Karnataka’s visually impaired community to High Court order on government employees

Mixed reactions from Karnataka’s visually impaired community to High Court order on government employees

Image of Karnataka high court
Coronavirus-news December 2, 2020
  • 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)
0

After Karnataka Federation for the Blind filed a petition in the Karnataka high court, judges have asked state government to reconsider decision for making it compulsory for blind employees to report for duty during Covid times. Members from the community are eagerly awaiting to hear what the state has to say regarding this since commuting to work when the pandemic is still on is indeed dangerous.

One of the worst affected communities during the Covid pandemic is undoubtedly India’s disabled community. Many were left without jobs and are struggling to make ends meet. As work places have resumed, people with disabilities find it extremely hard to commute to work in public transport as they are prone to the virus, especially since they use assistive devices. Last week, Karnataka High court directed the state government to reconsider its decision for making it mandatory for government employees, especially visually impaired, to report for duty during these unprecedented Covid times. Blind and visually impaired people in Karnataka are awaiting final decision of state government.

State order against rules

As per the circular dated on 18 May, Karnataka government directed all its employees to report for work from Groups A, B, C and D with 100 percent capacity.

The bench of justices Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Vishwajith Shetty were hearing a petition filed by the Karnataka Federation of the Blind (KFB). Senior advocate Jayna Kothari who appeared for KFB said in court that blind employees need support since they are highly prone to having physical contact with others. Right from travelling in buses, autos or metros, people with visual impairment needs to touch and feel which makes them infected by Covid in no time.

In the ‘disability inclusive guidelines’ released on 27 March by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) to curb spread of virus, it states that people with visual impairment or other disabilities in both public and private sectors must be exempted from work. In another memorandum released by government of India on 28 March, it states that exempted time of absence from work for disabled employees could be considered as a special leave without loss of pay.

The plea by KFB states that some employees take personal leaves since they are unable to attend work during Covid times.

Most of them, while using public transport to work, are unable to maintain social distancing as they need to touch and feel. Co-workers are not willing to help them in order to maintain physical distance. These are some of the main hurdles faced by visually impaired people. State decision to ask disabled community to be present for work is against Section 8 (Protection and Safety) of the RPWD Act, 2016 as well as to Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

Plight faced by visually impaired people

Shekhar Naik, Karnataka’s former blind cricketer who works in a private firm has to travel for more than five hours (to and fro) for work in Bengaluru.

“Due to lockdown, I was working from home till September and then resumed work. Needless to say, it is better to work from home during this pandemic. 99 percent of visually impaired people touch and feel to understand things. Most of them use public transport to commute to work. If you point out all that to private companies they wouldn’t be Ok with it. They would rather have you quit the job if you want to sit at home and work. I feel it is much easier if you have a government job. I face many difficulties commuting to work during these times”, says Naik.

Chandrakant, another visually impaired person from Bengaluru works in a private firm. He prefers working from inside his office and not from home.

“When you work from home, you must keep bothering your colleagues, like call them and ask how to do things. Not everyone would appreciate it. At office, you can take direct assistance. I take a bus to office and I know that there are risks to it”, he says.

Karnataka’s visually impaired community are eagerly awaiting to hear what the state has to reply to court’s order which was heard last week. Many say that this must be extended to people with other disabilities too and not just for the visually impaired. According to reports, next hearing for the case is likely on 14 or 15 December.

Watch in Sign Language

Also Read:

  • Visually impaired candidates in Karnataka struggle for scribes, medical tests ahead of KPSC exam
0

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

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Get-hooked
    Singer-songwriter Lachi documents journey to total vision loss on YouTube series Off Beat
  • Accessibility
    Greater priority access to COVID-19 vaccine for people with intellectual disabilities necessary, say experts
  • Get-hooked
    Disability fashion stylist Stephanie Thomas uses styling to stamp out negative perceptions about people with disabilities
  • Technology
    Auticare uses virtual reality-based therapy to help children with autism develop critical skills

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

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature your inspiring story or share an event with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

Hand in a blue glove with an injection and a vial

Accessibility

Greater priority access to COVID-19 vaccine for people with intellectual disabilities necessary, say experts

Close up of Lachi

Get-hooked

Singer-songwriter Lachi documents journey to total vision loss on YouTube series Off Beat

Young woman using Auticare

Technology

Auticare uses virtual reality-based therapy to help children with autism develop critical skills

Close up of Stephanie Thomas

Get-hooked

Disability fashion stylist Stephanie Thomas uses styling to stamp out negative perceptions about people with disabilities

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Technology

Updated version of Avaz app has plenty to offer, enables access to wider audience

Get-hooked

Teen prodigy Satvik Sharma expresses himself through incredible works of art

Get-hooked

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

Get-hooked

At Sristi village, people with intellectual disabilities get the opportunity to find their potential

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook is a media site focusing on Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight stories that share insights into the lives of people with disabilities, offer solutions and create collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who share knowledge about disability, inclusion & accessibility.

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.