The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : `Implement Disabilities Act'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 31, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

`Implement Disabilities Act'

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, DEC. 30. A survey of about 100 physically challenged public sector employees shed light on the work environment and their daily struggle.

At a seminar organised recently, non-government organisations and federations working with the disabled discussed the results and recommendations of the six-month study.

The participants said the implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act (1995) would solve most of their problems Access to the work spot was a major problem. The disabled were denied promotions even after they passed the required examinations. Often they were given jobs requiring mobility, which they rejected.

G. Chidambaranathan, president of the State-level coordination committee of the disabled, who is confined to a wheelchair, sought recruitment of more disabled persons who were educated. "If we have an organised group of the disabled in the State the employed group can become an advocacy group for others." Of the 13 lakh disabled people in the State, about 3.5 lakh were semi-literate but only one lakh graduates had jobs, he said.

A. Chidambaram, president of the Graduate Association of the Blind which has 1,200 members, said, "We want the ban on recruitment to government posts revoked." A placement in the Commission for the disabled would ensure faster movement of files. "Getting an identity card is so difficult. Let the Government send a representative to the person's home and give the ID card. Many disabled cannot make it to the office," he said.

Anita Ebenezer, president of the women's welfare committee at Port Trust, said of the 250 disabled employees, about 50 were women. She suggested that there be more scholarships, loans for starting cottage industries and welfare provisions in the budget. Seminars in rural areas would make the disabled aware of the need to make themselves employable.

Model employer

N. Lakshmi, sub-regional secretary of the Public Services International South Asia, said that there should be a special wing for the disabled in trade unions.

Though election manifestos stated that there was three per cent reservation for the disabled, the ban on recruitment made it tough, as "they are not a large vote-bank.

The Public Services International South Asia, the South Asian Research and Development Initiatives and the CARE Trust jointly organised the seminar.

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