Mizoram gains from SSA for disabled children

Guwahati, Jan 28(UNI) The people with disabilities may be a deprived lot in most cases in Mizoram but when it comes to reaping the benefits of the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA), they are among the best in the country.

Underlining the state's success in gaining for the disabled children under the SSA, disabled rights activist of Mizoram Ms Chingpui said, ''We have worked relentlessly to gain maximum from the provisions for disabled children in the universal elementary education programme.'' Ms Chingpui was speaking at a North East level regional workshop on 'Disability and Law: Issues and Challenges' here, organised by the Disability Law Unit-NE, a project of Shishu Sarothi, and supported by 'Light For the World'.

She said the authorities were hesitant to make special facilities for the disabled children, but untiring efforts by a host of rights activists ensured that the children got the benefits under the SSA.

However, the overall rights scenario of disabled people in the state was not a rosy one, she added.

Ms Chingpui pointed out that the government took advantage of loopholes of provisions in the Disability Act and pleaded lack of resources to address their grievances.

She said, ''Only eight districts have medical boards. Even there, the parents of disabled children are unaware of the benefits their wards are entitled to.'' Specialist doctors needed to certify people with disabilities so that they can get the benefits are stationed only in capital Aizwal and as a result, many people are left out.

Ms Chingpui called for greater awareness among the people so that legal provisons translate into meaningful results for the disabled people.

UNI