President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday stated that education will provide the opportunity to differently-abled persons to overcome their disability, adding that the special training of teachers is essential to guide them effectively.
"It is important to acknowledge that although we, as a people, have been conditioned by our religion and values to be especially mindful and sensitive to the needs of the differently abled, and although our Government has taken a number of measures to systematically address the challenges that they face, we still have a lot to do to facilitate them in their daily lives," President Mukherjee said, while presenting the National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities on the occasion of International Day of Disabled Persons.
"Children with disabilities should have access, from the very beginning of their school lives, to the best possible educational opportunities that will enable them to cope with their disability and overcome any lack of confidence... I would emphasize that special training of teachers is essential to enable them to be tuned to the needs of children with disabilities and guide them effectively," he added.
President Mukherjee also stated that the United Nations constituted the International Day of Disabled Persons for understanding the issues connected with disability.
"The United Nations General Assembly, by a resolution in 1992, had proclaimed the observance of this day as the International Day of Disabled Persons. The main objective of this initiative was to promote a worldwide understanding of the issues connected with disability and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of disabled persons," he said.
"It was felt that such worldwide focus would encourage proactive efforts of the international community for the integration of the disabled in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life," he added.
Calling for refining of the national policy, the President also stated that the government is creating public facilities and services 'disabled friendly'.
"Our Constitution, guarantees the equality, freedom, justice and dignity of all individuals, including persons with disabilities. Our main law, 'The Persons with Disabilities' (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act of 1995 provides very specific entitlements to persons with disabilities. The Government of India has introduced a bill for Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the Parliament. However, besides refining our policy framework, it is essential for us to reinforce our efforts to put better delivery mechanisms in place," he said.
"The government is also paying due attention to designing public facilities and services to make them 'disabled friendly'. I am glad that Government of India has recently revised its scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase and Fitting of Aids and Appliances. The new scheme includes more devices that can be provided to students and other categories of persons with disabilities," he added.
Calling for the involvement of people with disabilities into the national framework, President Mukherjee stated that early detection and precautions were of great importance.
"Many differently abled children are deprived from participating in games and activities that other children consider an integral and enjoyable part of their childhood. Women with disabilities feel particularly disadvantaged. Elderly disabled persons, in the twilight of their lives, are the most vulnerable. We need to involve people like these in more social and cultural activities where they can participate as per their 'different' abilities," he said.
"The value of early detection and effective intervention cannot be emphasised enough. A number of simple precautionary steps can mitigate the effect of illnesses and chronic conditions that create disabilities - particularly in children in the susceptible age groups," he added.
During the occasion, the President also inaugurated the first interactive web portal swavlamban.info made by the Department of Disability.
According to the 2011 national census, the number of people in India with disability stands at 2.68 crore.
