Diasbility rights workshop for HP University students

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HimVani
Shimla. A first ever workshop to sensitize the youth leaders about the educational rights of persons with disabilities was organised in Himachal Pradesh University. This workshop was organised by Society for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies (SDRS), Himachal Pradesh in association with Udaan, a voluntary organization to support mentally challenged children on 26 May, 2009. Ms. Sarvin Chaudhary, minister for social justice and empowerment, inaugurated the workshop and Mr. Rattan Singh, Registrar of the University presided over the function.
In total 65 persons participated in the workshop including 56 members of three major student organizations i.e. Student Federation of India, National Students Union of India and Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad.  Some prominent social activists of the state also took part in the deliberations.
Convener of the workshop and Chairman of SDRS, Himachal Pradesh, Ajai Srivastava, in his key note address, stressed that without getting good education, the disabled can not take part in the development process of the society. According to him, “We see, at every step the persons with disabilities have to face hurdle in getting their due. Their educational rights are also blatantly violated.” He expressed hope that student organizations would henceforth take up the cause of the disabled students as well. He expressed hope that if the educational rights of the disabled are ensured, no body can prevent them from becoming economically and socially empowered. He also mentioned that the educational rights contained in Persons with Disability Act, 1995 and United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) contain a detailed account of these rights which are not being extended to the concerned.
The Minister in her address lauded the efforts being made by SDRS to associate students organizations in its awareness campaign and emphasized the need to make cross sections of the society aware of the rights of the disabled. She said the government is fully committed to protect the rights of every individual, particularly from the weaker sections including the persons with disabilities. According to Ms. Sarvin Chaudhary, “State Policy for Persons with Disabilities is also almost ready and it will be released soon.”
Ranjit Rana, General Secretary of Udaan, the parents and guardian society of mentally retarded children, and Arti Raina, Principal, Pehchan Special School of Udaan, briefed the participants about the provisions contained in National Trust Act for Autism and Mental Retardation. They said it is possible to bring such children in the mainstream if parents and other sections of are made aware. It is pertinent to mention that Udaan has come up as an ideal institution of children with mental retardation in Himachal Pradesh.
Shobhu Ram, president of Blind Persons Association, H.P., made a presentation on education rights of the blind. He stressed the need to provide necessary educational aids and appliances to the blind students.
Shikha Chauhan, President of Students Central Association (SCA) and senior leader of SFI spoke on the behalf of entire student community. She was of the opinion that all the students, irrespective of their ideology, must join hand in this social cause. She said her organization was already concerned about the rights of persons with disabilities and now it would take up the cause in more aggressive manner.
Dr. Mallika Nadda, Chairperson, Special Olympic Bharat, H.P.Chapter, D.D. Sharma, Additional Director, Higher Education, Lalita Rana, Administrator of Udaan, Akarshan Chauhan, President, YES and Rattan Singh, Registrar of Himachal Pradesh University and Anupam Thakur, Psychologist, also spoke in the workshop. Subhashish Panda and Prabha Rajeev, Director and Joint Director of Social Justice and Empowerment respectively, Uma Baldi of Indian Association of Muscular Dystrophy were present in the programme.

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