Policy News

'Life is extremely difficult for disabled people in this city'

RIO DE JANEIRO: For sports fan Heitor Luiz de Menezes, the 2016 Olympics should have been a dream come true. The 44-year-old from Rio had tickets to several events including the opening and closing ceremony at the historic Maracana stadium.

But after difficulties getting to and from the venues in his wheelchair, he gave up.

From the excessively steep access ramps at the football stadium to the disabled parking spaces that had been reserved for official cars at the beach volleyball arena, the lack of mobility provision was an insult too far.

New tactile bank notes let blind people get a feel for money

New tactile bank notes let blind people get a feel for money Caitlin Fitzsimmons
31 Aug 2016, 5:14 p.m.
The new $5 note features a small bump on both of the long sides to assist blind and partially sighted people. Photo: RBA
The new $5 note features a small bump on both of the long sides to assist blind and partially sighted people. Photo: RBA

For Bruce Maguire, the best thing about the new $5 notes coming out this week is the presence of two small bumps "about the size of a chocolate sprinkle".

DIGITAL LIBRARY TO END ‘BOOK FAMINE’ OF VISUALLY CHALLENGED PEOPLE

A first of its kind digitally accessible library, 'Sugamya Pustakalaya', is all set to be launched next week by the Modi Government for the visually challenged or partially sighted people who need books in Braille, accessible e-text or audio format.

Aiming to remove the barriers in literacy and employment, the library is expected to be a major game changer for the blind and low vision people who would have access to the printed word in an accessible format. The books will be available in various vernacular languages besides Hindi and English.

Steps needed to ensure safety for the visually impaired at train stations

The Yomiuri ShimbunA visually impaired man died after he fell onto the tracks and was run over by a train at a subway station in Tokyo. It was a heartrending accident. Steps should be taken to prevent a recurrence.

The accident happened at Aoyama-Itchome Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line. The station’s platform is barely three meters wide and has many large round pillars. The man, who was walking with a guide dog, is said to have lost his footing as he approached the edge of the platform just before a pillar.

Applications invited

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on Tuesday has invited applications for the national award for the empowerment of persons with disabilities.

PWDS STAGE STIR AT RAJ BHAVAN OVER RESERVATION

Upset over the State Government’s negligence in implementing the policy of a three per cent-reservation for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Government departments despite the Supreme Court’s verdict, the Odisha Vikalanga Manch on Monday staged a dharna near the Raj Bhavan here to highlight their plights.

ALL INT’L AIRPORTS SOON TO BE DISABLED-FRIENDLY

Lagging behind its scheduled deadline, the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has finally made the move to fast-track the process of making all the 22 international airports in the country disabled-friendly.

MINISTER: WIND UP SCHEMES NOT WORKING PROPERLY

Wind up schemes not working properly. Chalk out schemes which are in the interest of students. This was stated by Minister of State for Technical Education (Independent Charge), Deepak Joshi at a meeting of ITI principals here today.

Friendly structures for disabled in State by year-end

BHUBANESWAR: The first phase of making buildings and public places accessible to the physically challenged is expected to commence by September-end. The Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) has sought for a financial estimate from the Public Works Department and a couple of other agencies for the project.

STATE GOVT’S NON-EXECUTION OF 3% RESERVATION FOR PWDS DECRIED

The Institute of Social Work and Research (ISWAR) and Odisha Disabled People’s Network (ODPN) and the Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan on Wednesday decried the State Government’s negligence in implementing the policy of a three-per cent reservation for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Government departments despite the Supreme Court’s verdict.