Disabled call for implementation of their rights on World Disability Day

Patna, Dec 3 : Differently abled people staged a march demanding implementation of their rights here on the occasion of World Disability Day.

Their demand evoked support from able bodied students who marched along with them with placards and banners.

"We demand that free education should be provided to them till the age of 18. The legislation was passed in 1995 but they (differently abled people) are still deprived of the facility. They cannot avail the three percent reservation they have in jobs. They cannot study with normal children as they need special attention, which they are not getting," said Manisha Kumar of J M institute of speech and hearing.

Government estimates say about two percent of the population have physical or sensory disabilities that include visual, speech, hearing and movement problems but volunteers working in the field put the figure at five to six percent of the population, constituting 50 to 60 million people.

The Persons With Disabilities Act of 1995 says India's disabled are entitled to a host of rights that would go a long way in enriching their lives, already harassed by nature's follies.

But over a decade after the act was passed, the government has not been able to meet various provisions of the act.

ANI