Ability Forum

[THOMASJACOB]

The following topic has been takne from the Times of India dated 29th June 2007 Page 2

DESPITE FUNDS, CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES GET RAW DEAL FROM STATE

Over 10 years after the Persons with Disabilities Act was passed in 1995, children with disabilities continue to remain low on the priority list of the state government.
As per the 2001 census, of the 9.68 crore population, around 15.69 lakh peope suffer from various forms of disabilities. In addition, to this figure a survey revealed that 6.94 lakh children between the age group of 0-14 were detected with disabilities.
Activists complain that state aid to this vulnerable group has been a pittance with help being mostly restricted to distributing glasses, hearing aids and wheel chairs. Statistics provided by the state to the high court recently added further ammo to the allegations.
What ails the system despite the funds allocated for rehabilitation of the disabled is the lack of a comprehensive plan to deal with children with disabilities, according to advocate Uday Warunjikar Counsel for Maharashtra Rajya Apang Karmachari Sanghatana, which had filed a PIL on the government's failure to recruit disabled persons despite the 3% reservation in the state departments.
The report submitted to the High Court by J N Rathod Deputy Secretary, Social Justice Department makes for curious reading. Despite the funds being allocated for various projects to help children with disabilities the benefit is restricted to less that 1% of the intended group.
Consider this - For the 1.56 lakh visually impaired students, government aid in the form of white cane sticks and glasses has been provided to just 68 and 4,959 children respectively. Around 6,212 children have undergone eye surgery at the state's expense, leaving a substantial majority out of the state largess.
When it comes to providing rehabilitation to children and youth with disabilities, the situation is equally bleak. In 2006-2207 the state made available Rs 461 lakh to 21 governmet institutions that benefited 1071 people. The same year funds were provided to NGOs who run 674 special scholls and vocational training centres, which benefited 32,992 children in the 6-18 age group.
Disabled students also received scholarship of between Rs 50 and Rs 100 per month to pursue their studies depsite  the fact that it is mandatory for the state to provide free education to children with special needs, according to Advocate Warunjikar. The PIL and the report is scheduled to come up for hearing in the HC on
Thursday.

# P.S - I am sorry for typing errors, pls excuse

Regards
Thomas

The following topic has been takne from the Times of India dated 29th June 2007 Page 2

DESPITE FUNDS, CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES GET RAW DEAL FROM STATE

Over 10 years after the Persons with Disabilities Act was passed in 1995, children with disabilities continue to remain low on the priority list of the state government.
As per the 2001 census, of the 9.68 crore population, around 15.69 lakh peope suffer from various forms of disabilities. In addition, to this figure a survey revealed that 6.94 lakh children between the age group of 0-14 were detected with disabilities.
Activists complain that state aid to this vulnerable group has been a pittance with help being mostly restricted to distributing glasses, hearing aids and wheel chairs. Statistics provided by the state to the high court recently added further ammo to the allegations.
What ails the system despite the funds allocated for rehabilitation of the disabled is the lack of a comprehensive plan to deal with children with disabilities, according to advocate Uday Warunjikar Counsel for Maharashtra Rajya Apang Karmachari Sanghatana, which had filed a PIL on the government's failure to recruit disabled persons despite the 3% reservation in the state departments.
The report submitted to the High Court by J N Rathod Deputy Secretary, Social Justice Department makes for curious reading. Despite the funds being allocated for various projects to help children with disabilities the benefit is restricted to less that 1% of the intended group.
Consider this - For the 1.56 lakh visually impaired students, government aid in the form of white cane sticks and glasses has been provided to just 68 and 4,959 children respectively. Around 6,212 children have undergone eye surgery at the state's expense, leaving a substantial majority out of the state largess.
When it comes to providing rehabilitation to children and youth with disabilities, the situation is equally bleak. In 2006-2207 the state made available Rs 461 lakh to 21 governmet institutions that benefited 1071 people. The same year funds were provided to NGOs who run 674 special scholls and vocational training centres, which benefited 32,992 children in the 6-18 age group.
Disabled students also received scholarship of between Rs 50 and Rs 100 per month to pursue their studies depsite  the fact that it is mandatory for the state to provide free education to children with special needs, according to Advocate Warunjikar. The PIL and the report is scheduled to come up for hearing in the HC on
Thursday.

# P.S - I am sorry for typing errors, pls excuse

Regards
Thomas

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