ITANAGAR, Dec 3: Governor BD Mishra called upon people to change their attitude towards differently-able people.
“Instead of being sympathetic, they must be empathetic towards them,” said the governor while addressing the International Day of Persons with Disabilities celebration at the Donyi Polo Mission School for Hearing and Visually Impaired (DPMSHVI) at Chimpu near here on Monday.
On the occasion, Mishra complemented former chief minister Gegong Apang for establishing the DPMSHVI.
He said that differently-able persons must not lose heart but use their abilities to progress. He advised them to practice yogasanas (Yoga postures), which is beneficial for all.
Referring to the ‘Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill-2016’ passed by the Parliament under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the governor suggested that new schemes, amenities and reservations for the differently-able must be regularly brought in.
The governor advised the officials of the state department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Tribal Affairs to provide computer software, which will help the visually-impaired children.
Immensely impressed by the crafts made by the students, the governor suggested for instituting a display place in the state government emporiums in the metros for its promotion.
Earlier, the governor felicitated the participants on the occasion and also gave away prizes to the winners of essay writing completion, conducted by the department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Tribal Affairs.
He also felicitated Dr K Zaman, medical practitioner of Ramakrishna Mission Hospital, Itanagar for his contribution towards DPMSHVI, Chimpu, since its inception.
The DPMSHVI, which was established on 15 October, 1990, currently has 106 students, including 15 visually impaired. Ninety-seven hearing impaired students have passed Class X from the institute till date, many of who are engaged in various government establishments.
The Arunachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (APSLSA), in association with the Arunachal Pradesh Paralympic Association also organised a legal awareness programme for differently-able persons on the occasion.
Addressing an audience of differently-able persons of the Capital Complex and legal counsels, APSLSA member secretary Budi Habung presented an overview on the role and responsibility of the state legal services authority and district legal services authority.
He also highlighted on free legal services and implementation of various schemes of NALSA.
APSLSA Legal Aid Counsel Jumgam Jini spoke on ‘Rights of Person with Disability Act, 2016: Issues & Challenges of Implementation thereof’.
He explained about the various rights of persons with disabilities, such as reproductive rights, accessibility in voting, access to justice, property inheritance, social security, etc.
APSLSA Legal Aid Counsel Nani Modi made a presentation on the aspects of Right to Education Act with special emphasis on disabled children.
She explained that every child with a benchmark disability between the ages of six to eighteen years has the right to free education in a neighbourhood school or in a special school of his or her choice.
During the interactive session, doubt and queries raised by the participant were addressed by the resource persons, which included Deputy Secretary, Law & Judicial Dani Belo.
