Paving Way for Inclusion

The bell may soon sound for the corporate world to now take heed and pave way for the inclusion and promotion of the Rights of persons with Disabilities in India. This has become more pronounced due to India's International commitment to the issue. 'India enacted the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act of 1995 in fulfillment of its obligation as a signatory to the proclamation on the full participation and equality of People with Disabilities in Asia Pacific region'.

The Disability Law Draft 2011, has taken into consideration definitions that had not been included in the previous Act, as a result of which certain kind of disabilities had not been included and thus persons with those disabilities and conditions had been discriminated. The new draft has given exhaustive guiding principles for the implementation and interpretation of the Act.

Accessibility has become a key focus area for the new Act. Para 4F of the Disability law draft clearly states: In promoting web accessibility-
(c) All government websites, and private websites providing consumer services, shall conform to the most updated version of the World Wide Web Consortium web accessibility standards.

Para 4I states: Mandatory Observance of Accessibility Norms

No individual, organization or establishment shall be granted permission to build any structure if the building plan does not adhere to the regulations formulated by the Disability Rights Authority
No individual, organization or establishment shall be issued a certificate of completion or allowed to take occupation of a building if it has failed to adhere to the regulations formulated by the Disability Rights Authority
Any contravention of this Section shall be penalized under Section 30D

For more information on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2011, refer to:
http://socialjustice.nic.in/pdf/workdraftdd.pdf