Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Employment of Persons with Disability- Remarkable Move by the Supreme Court!
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| IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA, CIVIL ORIGINAL JURISDICTION I.A. NO.10 OF 2015 IN WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) NO.116 OF 1998 |
disabilities and the role of the States, local authorities, educational institutions and the companies. The statute operates in a broad spectrum and the stress is laid to protect the rights and provide punishment for their violation.
Para 24. Regard being had to the change in core aspects, we think it apposite to direct all the States and the Union Territories to file compliance report keeping in view the provisions of the 2016 Act within twelve weeks hence. The States and the Union Territories must realize that under the 2016 Act their responsibilities have grown and they are required to actualize the purpose of the Act, for there is an accent on many a sphere with regard to the rights of the disabilities. When the law is so concerned for the disabled persons and makes provision, it is the obligation of the law executing authorities to give effect to the same in quite promptitude. The steps taken in this regard shall be concretely stated in the compliance report within the time stipulated. When we are directing the States, a duty is cast also on the States and its authorities to see that the statutory provisions that are enshrined and applicable to the cooperative societies, companies, firms, associations and establishments, institutions, are scrupulously followed. The State Governments shall take immediate steps to comply with the requirements of the 2016 Act and file the compliance report so that this Court can appreciate the progress made.
Probably in an a move to mud-fill our legislative and administrative potholes, the Hon’ble Supreme Court made another strategic move, taking a new leaf out of an old book this time. Please find the judgement below. Paras 23&24 carry the actual flavour. One of the immediate tasks for activists working in various States and Union Territories is to make their respective Governments comply with the judicial dictate.
– Annavaram
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Minor found pregnant
A 14-year-old, speech and hearing-impaired daughter of a migrant labourer in a village near Nakodar was found to be five-month pregnant after being allegedly raped by a 40-year-old of migrant labourer of the same village. The family hails from Bihar.
Members of the victim’s family have lodged a complaint with the Nakodar police. The police have arrested the accused.The family noticed the girl’s baby-bump a couple of days ago. They took her to a private hospital in Nakodar where doctors confirmed her pregnancy after a medical check-up.
Monday, May 1, 2017
These Delhi eateries have something 'special' that will inspire you
The disabled employed at these places are not restricted to backroom, and get people-friendly roles too.
Mohammed Kashan is a master brewer at the Eatopia food court in India Habitat Centre. He greets you with a smile, and if you start a conversation, he points to the instructions on the counter that let you know he is hearing and speech impaired.
Then, he goes on to make a mean cup of coffee for you. The 30-year-old has worked in Cafe Coffee Day and Barista before his stint at Eatopia and supports his wife with his job.
Sandeep Kanotra, COO of Eatopia says, "Kashan now trains our regular brewers and he is exceptional." He said the process to employ people with disabilities began in 2012 in earnest. "There were a lot of things to think about. We associates with NGOs as we had to figure out which departments were best for persons with disabilities. We also sensitised our staff on how to make newcomers comfortable. The entire process took about 2 years and we started hiring in 2014," he says.
Many more restaurants, hotels and service platforms are now employing disabled people contrary to the perception that they would be uncomfortable in this line of business. Private hotels like Lemontree, with over 40 hotels in India came up with initiative of including differently-abled in their staff as early as 2007.
Seema, a speech and hearing disabled housekeeping staff, goes about her own business without a care in the world, at their hotel in Aerocity. She is 33, married and the mother of two children. Her husband, who is also speech impaired is a government employee.
She proudly enlists her responsibilities at the hotel. "I mop the floor, make the beds and if the guests have any request, I show them my ID card that says I am a disabled staff. So they write the request for me. It is great fun," she tells us in sign language. Seema wants to be a supervisor at Lemontree and she says the job has made her feel useful. "I am independent," says the bright eyed, bubbly employee. "I can support my husband financially and provide for my kids now."
Although hiring is increasing, the government still needs to do a lot more to absorb disabled into the workforce. According to data available with the Department of Public Enterprises, a total of only 1,181 visually impaired, 678 hearing impaired and 7008 employees with locomotor disability have been employed in central public sector enterprises till March 31, 2015.
A recent Supreme Court verdict also acknowledged the alarming reality of disabled persons being out of jobs despite India passing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Now, a new law created by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on April 19, 2017, makes it mandatory to provide disabled persons with access to justice, free education, role of local authorities as providers of employment and opportunity, and National and State funds.
But while the government is now waking up on to the isuue, the private sector has taken a lead. Aradhana Lal, VP of Sustainability at Lemontree says employing the disabled is a part of their business model now.
"Initially, it was a trial and run programme. We started at a time when persons with disabilities were hardly absorbed into the work force. Now, there is a sign language class for employees every month. We recruit through job fairs held by Ministry of Social Justice and by word of mouth and NGOs. 80 per cent of our staff is disabled and we are very proud of it."
Both Kanotra and Lal, however, admit that certain departments are more conducive for the disabled. "First, we tried back office, dealing with bills and software. Now, they work as servers as well in the kitchen where vocal communication is more. They earned the position," Kanotra says.
Twenty-year-old Aditya from Faridabad is autistic and works in the housekeeping department at Red Fox hotels. When he is not at work, he engages himself in sketching, playing Monopoly and candy crush. In the one year that he has worked at the Red Fox, he has grown to become a favourite among employees. "I love everyone here and know everyone's birthdays. I want to become an assistant manager here," says a very ambitious Aditya.
In Satyaniketan, the recently opened Echoes restaurant's entire serving staff is differently-abled. They greet you, seat you and take your order with the same precision- if not more-than a regular employee. Ajay Kumar, one of the waiters at Echoes, said, "We have placards to communicate and switches on each table connected to bulbs, to make serving easier."
Kshitij Behl, who opened the eatery along with friends Shivansh, Sahil, Sahib, Prateek and Gaurav, now wants to extend the employment of disabled to the chef department as well.
Feisty special girl in High court for ticket to international meet
28.04.2017
PATIALA: City-based Parul Gupta, a deaf-mute tennis player who has won top honours at international competitions, has moved Punjab and Haryana high court against the decision of the All India Sports Council for the Deaf (AISCD) to not nominate her for the Deaflympics, which is to be held from July 18 to 30 in Samsun, Turkey .The reason cited by AISCD is that they are not allowed to take along with them more than two players each in the men's and women's category .
The AICSD co-chairman told Parul's father that the council does not have any influence on the decision of the National Deaf Sports Federations while making it clear that each country can take along a maximum of four players besides two extra players in each category.
Avinash Gupta, Parul's father, said, "We were ready to go at our own expense to as we've competed there earlieras well. It's shameful that the government is trying to kill the morale of players with hearing impairment instead of encouraging them...I have moved high court to get justice."
Parul, aged 20 now, earned her first plaudits when she was just 14 by clinching the silver at the Patiala district school games in August 2010.
Clearing all her five matches at the 21st national deaf games held in Chennai from March 28 to 31, Parul became one among the four girls who were selected for `Olympic Games for Deaf ' in Turkey before she was told she could not go.
Meanwhile, when contacted, AISCD sports director G Suresh Kumar said the council is the only apex sports body for deaf people in India and it is affiliated to the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD), Lausanne, Switzerland, and the Asia Pacific Deaf Sports Federation in Malaysia.
He said that the size of the contingent must satisfy the conditions prescribed by ICSD and nobody is authorised to break it. "We have clear guidelines from ICSD and we have submitted the list of the campers to MYAS and SAI and are waiting for approval."
Parul had won gold at the Slovenia Deaf Tennis Open 2016 in the `Women-Doubles' held at Protroz and also put in winning performances at the 2nd Open Deaf Youth Cup in 2014 in Hamburg, Germany . Closer home, she won the silver at the 57th National School Games Lawn Tennis (Girls U-17) held in Delhi in 2012 and also bagged medals and prizes at other contests.
Artists, hearing-impaired students use colourful sign language to spread awareness on ‘deaf identity’
A colourful and proud reminder of “deaf identity” greeted passers-by on a central Delhi road on Saturday, with a wall under a flyover being painted with art that uses sign language to spread awareness.
The flyover on Lodi Road near Nizamuddin got a makeover with a message on Saturday, with artists from the street art collective, Delhi Street Art, teaming up with hearing-impaired students to paint a wall with sign language. Phrases such as “proud to be deaf”, “deaf culture”, “Indian sign language”, “deaf community” and “deaf identity” were painted on the wall in both sign language and English.
Skill training initiative
About 30 students of Centum-Gro, a skill training initiative for the hearing-impaired based in south Delhi, joined 15 participants from Delhi Street Art to first design and then paint the images, said Delhi Street Art founder Yogesh Saini.
“We wanted to show people that they don’t have to look at the hearing-impaired as handicapped,” said Mr. Saini.
Starting from about 7 a.m. till noon, the artists and students worked on the wall, painting about half of the 200-ft stretch that would eventually be covered. The remaining portion would have the same theme and be completed later.
Art in public spaces
Apart from this project, Delhi Street Art has been involved with the New Delhi Municipal Council’s public art initiative, including at the Children’s Park at India Gate and on several roads through the 3D zebra crossings.
‘Clean’ message
Next, Mr. Saini said, a wall on the Ring Road near Amar Colony would be painted on Sunday, in order to clean up the area and prevent people from urinating on it.
Prez felicitates Indian deaf cricket team
29.04.2017
The Indian Deaf Cricket team scored the highest honour with a felicitation by President Pranab Mukherjee last week.Led by captain Rohit Saini, entire team and senior officials of the Deaf Cricket Society were present on the occasion.
The team is also celebrating its win at the finals against Bangladesh to win the second edition of the T-20 AsiaCup for Deaf in Dhaka. Indiascored 182 in 19.4 overs with 7 wickets while chasing a target of 178 runs put up by Bangladesh.
“We are very happy and proud to represent India in cricket. The teams are dedicated to the game and each victory encourages our commitment. Meeting our honorable President Shri Pranab Mukherjee was a privilege for the entire team. We have made a commitment to him to continue to excel and win more trophies for our country,” said Sumit Jain, General Secretary of the Deaf Cricket Society.
India’s Jitendra Tyagi scored a total of 181 runs in the tournament and was adjudged the best batsman, while Indian Vice-Captain Fahimuddin gave away only 85 runs and took 5 wickets to be adjudged best bowler of the tournament.
“I have always believed in supporting high caliber cricket players and it’s a delight to train the teams of DCS, and have them bring glory to our country,”said team’s coach M. P Singh, who is also the coach of the National Stadium, Delhi.
The second T-20 Asia Cup was organized by Bangladesh Deaf Sports Federation (BDSF). The tournament had 5 countries participating – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.
The Deaf Cricket Society (DCS), a philanthropic organization and registered society, organizes several tournaments to discover the hidden talent of deaf persons in India. Early this month, the DCS organized first edition of T-20 Indian Premier League for Deaf, which was won by Deaf Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Besides, the DCS has organized several tournaments, including the first edition of T-20 World Cup for Deaf that was held in November 2015 at Delhi and the first T-20 Asia Cup for Deaf in December, 2014 at Dharamshala. All tournaments are played as per the rules and guidelines of International Cricket Council (ICC).
Mural by deaf persons screams for equality
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| Artwork, titled ‘Understanding Deaf Culture’, is a quest for achieving inclusivity, says Alim Chandani, trainer for the deaf in Hauz Khas |
29.04.2017
New Delhi: A colourful mural made by a group of deaf persons in the city has literally put this writing on the wall — deafness is normal and sign language is not a taboo.
Braving the scorching sun, about 30 youths, including two deaf American trainers, laboured for hours to turn a portion of a dull exterior wall of a prominent flyover in south Delhi into a vibrant canvas, embedded with a loud and clear social message.
“We do not want to be seen as inferior to anyone, we do not want be labelled as ‘Oh that poor guy’. This exercise is a quest for achieving inclusivity and equality in a society that is still not ready to put us on an even keel. This artwork, therefore, aptly called ‘Understanding Deaf Culture’,” says Alim Chandani, who runs a training centre for the deaf in Hauz Khas.
Chandani, 35, himself deaf, says, he was based in the US and came back to India three months ago to start the centre. He detests the use of the word “hearing-impaired”.
“Please just call us deaf, it is fine with us. Do not put us into some exclusive clubs, it is not flattering. This art has been done by deaf persons, and even the US trainers from the centre, who are helping them, are also deaf. We want to send out a message that we are capable of doing thing just as anyone else can. We hope to send out a positive message to people,” he said, with the help of an interpreter.
The street art is themed on sign language and many of the volunteers also wore special T-shirt wearing slogans like ‘Sign language is beautiful’, ‘I Can Sign’ and ‘#CanDo’.
Many intrigued commuters slowed their vehicles near the flyover wall, as the volunteers were seen communicating with each other using hand gestures.
Amanda, one of the American trainers, who hails from Chicago, says, “Sign language is still a taboo, whether in India or the US.” “Why are we seen as less than anyone else? The only way the society thinks we can be brought to some level of normalcy, if I may say so, is by use of cochlear implant. But we can use sign language too and we communicate just fine. But society thinks sign language is some kind of an aberration,” she says.
The flyover, between Hotel Oberoi and Nizamuddin Basti, is a busy one, and the mural, with its brilliant portrayal of use of sign language, stands out in a riot of colours.
Shivoy Sharma, the interpreter, says, “My parents are deaf, so sign language is my mother tongue, no one taught me or trained me in it. As a child, I first made the sign of milk to my mother, rather than uttering the word. The universe of the deaf is fascinating, only if we were a bit more sensitive.”
Braving the scorching sun, about 30 youths, including two deaf American trainers, laboured for hours to turn a portion of a dull exterior wall of a prominent flyover in south Delhi into a vibrant canvas, embedded with a loud and clear social message.
“We do not want to be seen as inferior to anyone, we do not want be labelled as ‘Oh that poor guy’. This exercise is a quest for achieving inclusivity and equality in a society that is still not ready to put us on an even keel. This artwork, therefore, aptly called ‘Understanding Deaf Culture’,” says Alim Chandani, who runs a training centre for the deaf in Hauz Khas.
Chandani, 35, himself deaf, says, he was based in the US and came back to India three months ago to start the centre. He detests the use of the word “hearing-impaired”.
“Please just call us deaf, it is fine with us. Do not put us into some exclusive clubs, it is not flattering. This art has been done by deaf persons, and even the US trainers from the centre, who are helping them, are also deaf. We want to send out a message that we are capable of doing thing just as anyone else can. We hope to send out a positive message to people,” he said, with the help of an interpreter.
The street art is themed on sign language and many of the volunteers also wore special T-shirt wearing slogans like ‘Sign language is beautiful’, ‘I Can Sign’ and ‘#CanDo’.
Many intrigued commuters slowed their vehicles near the flyover wall, as the volunteers were seen communicating with each other using hand gestures.
Amanda, one of the American trainers, who hails from Chicago, says, “Sign language is still a taboo, whether in India or the US.” “Why are we seen as less than anyone else? The only way the society thinks we can be brought to some level of normalcy, if I may say so, is by use of cochlear implant. But we can use sign language too and we communicate just fine. But society thinks sign language is some kind of an aberration,” she says.
The flyover, between Hotel Oberoi and Nizamuddin Basti, is a busy one, and the mural, with its brilliant portrayal of use of sign language, stands out in a riot of colours.
Shivoy Sharma, the interpreter, says, “My parents are deaf, so sign language is my mother tongue, no one taught me or trained me in it. As a child, I first made the sign of milk to my mother, rather than uttering the word. The universe of the deaf is fascinating, only if we were a bit more sensitive.”
President Pranab Mukherjee honours Indian Deaf Cricket team
New Delhi: The Indian Deaf Cricket team scored the highest honour with a felicitation by President Pranab Mukherjee last week. Led by captain Rohit Saini, entire team and senior officials of the Deaf Cricket Society were present on the occasion. The team is also celebrating its win at the finals against Bangladesh to win the second edition of the T-20 Asia Cup for Deaf in Dhaka. India scored 182 in 19.4 overs with 7 wickets while chasing a target of 178 runs put up by Bangladesh. “We are very happy and proud to represent India in cricket. The teams are dedicated to the game and each victory encourages our commitment. Meeting our honorable President Shri Pranab Mukherjee was a privilege for the entire team. We have made a commitment to him to continue to excel and win more trophies for our country,” said Sumit Jain, General Secretary of the Deaf Cricket Society. Kohli receives Padma Shri Award from President Pranab Mukherjee
India’s Jitendra Tyagi scored a total of 181 runs in the tournament and was adjudged the best batsman, while Indian Vice-Captain Fahimuddin gave away only 85 runs and took 5 wickets to be adjudged best bowler of the tournament. “I have always believed in supporting high caliber cricket players and it’s a delight to train the teams of DCS, and have them bring glory to our country,”said team’s coach M. P Singh, who is also the coach of the National Stadium, Delhi. India wins World Cup for blind: Pranab Mukherjee congratulates
The second T-20 Asia Cup was organized by Bangladesh Deaf Sports Federation (BDSF). The tournament had 5 countries participating – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. The Deaf Cricket Society (DCS), a philanthropic organization and registered society, organizes several tournaments to discover the hidden talent of deaf persons in India. Early this month, the DCS organized first edition of T-20 Indian Premier League for Deaf, which was won by Deaf Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Besides, the DCS has organized several tournaments, including the first edition of T-20 World Cup for Deaf that was held in November 2015 at Delhi and the first T-20 Asia Cup for Deaf in December, 2014 at Dharamshala. All tournaments are played as per the rules and guidelines of International Cricket Council (ICC).
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