The Supreme Court observed that “employment is a key factor in the empowerment and inclusion of people with disabilities” in its judgment in theUnion of India v. National Federation of the Blind case (2013).
The verdict registered the “alarming reality” of disabled persons out of jobs, not because of their disabilities but due to social and physical barriers that prevent them from joining the workforce.
Court exempts more categories of persons with disabilities
Even as the Centre asserted that respect for the national anthem and flag is “a matter of national pride and non-negotiable”, the Supreme Court questioned the need to expressively define ‘respect’ for the two national symbols when such a feeling of reverence is already inherent in the Constitution. A three-judge Bench of Justices Dipak Misra, A.M. Khanwilkar and M.M. Shantanagoudar modified the court’s November 30, 2016 order, making it compulsory for all to stand up in cinema halls when the national anthem is played.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday exempted the categories of disabled persons from standing during national anthem before screening of a film.
In its earlier order, the apex court had ordered that every person has to stand during the screening of national anthem.
The court also issued notice to the centre on the plea seeking Vande Mataram essential for all educational institution.
The Centre has been given a time period of 4 weeks to revert. The next date of hearing in the matter is on August 23.
BHUBANESWAR: The Centre is not serious about accessibility hurdles which have been a long standing concern for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in India.
While there has been much hype on implementation of Information Technology in an array of sectors, there is a large divide between ‘Digital India’ and ‘Accessibility India’ campaigns launched by the Union Government, said Javed Abidi ,Global Chair, Disabled People’s International here on Monday.
BHUBANESWAR: With the Centre contemplating to broaden the criteria for persons with disabilities (PWDs), Odisha Government is likely to start a fresh enumeration of PWDs within a few months. The Centre is currently reviewing the proposal to include 22 additional disabilities apart from the existing eight conditions.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has decided to introduce a comprehensive package for the functioning of blind schools - government and aided - in the state.
The Cabinet meeting on Wednesday took the decision to bring in a package for fixing norms for such schools.
The package will deal with all aspects related to the functioning of blind schools in the state including setting standards, finalising its norms, ensuring infrastructure facilities, staff pattern and appointments. However, there is no time set for implementing the package.
Chandigarh: Visually challenged voters will be able to exercise their franchise as the Election Commission is providing 26,773 ballot papers in Punjabi Braille script. The ballot papers will be available at all polling booths. On the orders of the Chief Electoral Officer, the Institute for the Blind here is printing the papers. Institute chairman Maj Gen Rajendra Nath said they had been printing the papers since 2009. A total of 1,900 papers are being prepared for the Amritsar Lok Sabha byelection and 24,873 for the Vidhan Sabha elections.
Canadian ex-MP campaigns for Cheema
New Delhi, January 25
Differently-abled people, who are unable to stand, will have to display "maximum attentiveness" while persons with hearing disabilities and those visually challenged will have to stand up when the national anthem is played at cinema halls or at a public function.
Moga, January 18
AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal today announced a separate manifesto for the physically challenged people at a rally in support of candidates Daljit Singh Sadarpura (Dharamkot) and Ramesh Grover (Moga).
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, January 21
To enable people with disabilities (PWD) vote, the district administration has instructed its officials to offer assistance and required facilities to them on the election day. Addressing a meeting of electoral officers here on Thursday, ADC Sonali Giri said all polling booths would have wheel chairs and assistance for the PWD voters. She said volunteers from NGOs and NCC would also be deployed at several stations to help them cast vote.
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