Government Implements RPwD Act 2016 Flashcards
NEWS
Under the provision of section 40 of RPwD Act 2016, the Central Government in consultation with the Chief Commissioner formulate rules for persons with disabilities laying down the standards of accessibility for the physical environment, transportation, information and communication, including appropriate technologies and systems and other facilities and services provided to the public in urban and rural areas. Under this provision, 20 ministries are involved in making Accessibility guidelines/standards for their respective sector. The formulations of these guidelines/standards are regularly monitored by the DEPwD, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Regular review meetings are taken up at various levels and Minister Social Justice and Empowerment review the progress recently
Right of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016
Disability has been defined based on an evolving and dynamic concept.
The types of disabilities have been increased from 7 to 21. The act added mental illness,
autism, spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, chronic neurological conditions,
speech and language disability, thalassemia, hemophilia, sickle cell disease, multiple disabilities
including deaf blindness, acid attack victims and Parkinson’s disease which were largely ignored
in earlier act. In addition, the Government has been authorized to notify any other category
of specified disability.
It increases the quantum of reservation for people suffering from disabilities from 3% to 4% in
government jobs and from 3% to 5% in higher education institutes.
Every child with benchmark disability between the age group of 6 and 18 years shall have the
right to free education. Government funded educational institutions as well as the government
recognized institutions will have to provide inclusive education.
Stress has been given to ensure accessibility in public buildings in a prescribed time frame along
with Accessible India Campaign.
The Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities and the State Commissioners will act as
regulatory bodies and Grievance Redressal agencies, monitoring implementation of the Act.
A separate National and State Fund be created to provide financial support to the persons with
disabilities.
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)
The Convention was adopted by the General Assembly in December 2006 and it came
into force on in May 2008.
The convention seeks to engage member countries in developing and carrying out policies, laws
and administrative measures for securing the rights recognized in the Convention and abolish
laws, regulations, customs and practices that constitute discrimination.
It requires countries to identify and eliminate obstacles and barriers and ensure that persons with
disabilities can access their environment, transportation, public facilities and services, and
information and communications technologies.
It asks member countries to recognize the right to an adequate standard of living and social
protection which includes public housing, services and assistance for disability-related needs, as
well as assistance with disability-related expenses in case of poverty
