A temporary Composite Regional Centre (CRC) for skill development, rehabilitation and empowerment of Divyangjan was inaugurated at Jammu. The facility will cater to rehabilitation services for different categories of Divyangjan besides skill development training for their empowerment, according to officials. Administration also announced that all the posts whether under PSC or JKSSB will be filled within 6 months. A legal framework is being prepared to ensure employment opportunities to divyangjan in private sector, the officials said.
The inauguration of the facility comes less than four weeks after the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The United Nations General Assembly in 1992 announced the annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons by resolution 47/3. The day has been observed with the aim of understanding issues facing ‘Divyangjan’and gaining support to ensure that their rights to well-being, dignity and equal opportunities are practiced.
Lieutenant Governor on the day, Lieutenant Governor stressed socio-economic empowerment of persons with disabilities and developing an enabling environment for them to lead a dignified life.
He said the government is committed to end all discrimination and create an inclusive, just and equitable society in which these people enjoy equal opportunities and are able to realise their potential and dreams.
Various initiatives for inclusion of Divyangjans, he said, include J&K Rights to Persons with Disabilities Rules, Appointment of a Disability Commissioner for focused attention and Registration with National Trust emphasizing the commitment to Intellectual Disabilities.
The Administration, he said, has also taken steps to recognise 100% visual disability as benchmark disability for MTS post, increase in number of benchmark disabilities for various posts in Government sector and 200% increase in distribution of retrofitted scooties to achieve saturation.
One of the most important things that should be provided to disabled people is their right to well-being and equal opportunities. There is need to raise awareness about the challenges faced by people with disabilities and explore ideas on how one can work together to ensure that equal rights are provided to each of them. Integration of people with disabilities remains important in every aspect of life, mostly political, social, economic and cultural.
All sections of the society need to join hands in ensuring complete integration of these people into the mainstream and their effective participation in socio-economic activities with dignity.
There is a need for all the stakeholders, society, NGOs to adopt a multi-dimensional approach and collaborative efforts to enable persons with disabilities to realize their full individual potential.
