NEW DELHI: Disabled rights groups organised a rally from Jantar Mantar to Parliament Street on Monday evening to appeal to parliamentarians and leader of the opposition, Ghulam Nabi Azad, to pass the Rights for Persons with Disability (RPwD) bill in Rajya Sabha.
The disability bill is yet to be passed by both the houses of the Parliament. It recognises 21 disabilities as opposed to the existing seven. With only three days to go until the winter session ends, the disabled people at the rally tried to keep their hopes alive.
Children suffering from learning disorders also stand to benefit from the new bill. "The bill will benefit over 70 million people and we are asking for 4% reservation in government jobs as opposed to the existing 3%," said Javed Abidi, the director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment of Disabled People (NCPEDP).
The RPwD bill will also penalise those committing offences against people with disabilities.
Shanti Aulakh, a psychologist working with acid attack victims at NGO Muskaan, said that acid attack victims face social exclusion.
"Permanent disfigurement ostracises acid attack victims completely. They face similar problems as people with physical disabilities and should also entitled to similar rights for equal representation at the workplace," said Aulakh.
"We are simply advocating for equal rights. Neglect and delay in passing the bill points to the fact that we are not counted as fellow beings," said Pankaj Kapoor, who is confined to his wheelchair.
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