: The Delhi government has prepared a draft policy and an action plan for persons with disability. The focus of the policy is on three main points: prevention and early detection of disability, rehabilitation of persons with disabilities and creation of accessible environment.
One of the important steps under the policy is appointing sign language interpreters at public places and providing identity cards to people with disabilities. The draft has been uploaded on the website of Social Welfare department for comments and suggestions from the public.
In order to ensure effective implementation of the policy, the government is planning to appoint nodal officers in every district.
“The policy on differently-abled aims to provide a conducive environment to people with disabilities so they can reach their full potential and participate equally in society. The policy acknowledges the need to protect women and children from all kinds of exploitation,” a Delhi government official said.
In order to make sure that disabilities are detected early, the government is planning to enable and promote pre-natal and post-natal check-up of pregnant women, and to provide early diagnosis of problems like Schizophrenia and Depression.
For rehabilitation, the government will focus on providing social, economic and physical rehabilitation through education, a major tool in enabling an individual. “In case of children with mild disabilities, the focus will be on main-streaming the children,” the government official added.
The government is also going to focus on providing better job opportunities to persons with disabilities and will identify such companies with the help of NGOs.
One of the important steps under the policy is appointing sign language interpreters at public places and providing identity cards to people with disabilities