Centre to bring in amendment to Disability Act

Chennai, Nov 22 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan today said the Centre would bring in an amendment to the Disability Act 1993 for the benefit of the physically challenged people.

Talking to newspersons here, after visiting the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD), she said the draft policy had been discussed with various stakeholders in the three regional meetings at New Delhi.

However, the minister did not disclose the details of the changes to be brought in.

She outlined that the highlight was the focus on creating a barrier-free environment for physically challenged across the country.

''We want the government buildings and establishments to be disabled-friendly,'' she pointed out.

The ministry had requested educational institutions in the country to set an example to others in making their campus disabled-friendly.

''The University of Madras is likely to be the first one to take up the initiative'', she said.

The ministry was also in touch with the National Survey Organisation to carry out an exclusive survey of the disabled and the discussions were in the early stage, she added.

UNI