Disabled rights groups from all over Delhi-NCR and neighbouring states today staged a dharna here over their demand for Doordarshan to make the Republic Day ceremony accessible via sign language interpretation on all its channels, especially DD National.
"We are told that only a few DD channels will telecast the function via sign language interpretation. But we insist that all six channels of DD provide special Republic Day broadcasts for disabled persons.
"In not doing so, government will be sending out a negative message of clear cut discrimination by DD," said Javed Abidi, Convenor of the Disabled Rights Group.
AS Narayanan of the National Association of the Deaf, said, "Yesterday, we were informed that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Doordarshan will make the telecast of the programme accessible (for the deaf) on three channels, that is, DD Bharati, DD News and DD Urdu.
"We are unable to understand as to why the ministry cannot make the telecast available on six channels, thus ensuring that it takes place in an inclusive and non-discriminatory manner."
The activists pointed out that the draft Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, which was passed by the Cabinet on December 12, 2013, and is proposed to be introduced in the upcoming session of Parliament, clearly states that governments and establishments shall take steps to ensure that "persons with disabilities have access to electronic media, providing for audio description, sign language interpretation and close captioning".
