An awareness programme on rights of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) was conducted at ADC conference hall, Niuland on March 13 by Nagaland State Disability Forum (NSDF) in collaboration with office of ADC, Niuland and Prodigals’ Home, Dimapur.
A press release from NSDF stated that while speaking at the programme on “Scenario of Disability in Nagaland”, assistant director, Prodigals’ Home, Maong Jamir maintained that “Disability, in the context of Nagaland, has been considered a curse for very long” and shared how Prodigals’ Home started working with Persons with Disability (PwD) since 2006 whence society in general was ignorant to the needs and rights of the PwDs.
Jamir shared that working in an entirely new field was very challenging as most parents/guardians were not ready to meet their disabled child/ward owing to many societal factor, and stigma in particular. He opined that the situation has presently improved to some extent with more awareness and facilities for PwDs nevertheless; there was so much to be done for the education, employment, health, social security, rehabilitation and accessibility of PwDs in Nagaland. He urged Churches in particular to invest more resources for PwDs while also appealing the government and various stakeholders to work together for an enabling environment for the PwDs.
While briefly sharing about the status of disability in Niuland, general secretary Federation of Niuland Block Disable People Organisation, Avito Yeptho informed that there are 303 PwDs unidentified in 25 villages under Niuland block and that there will be more if the reach was extended to other villages. He expressed that the federation was able to mobilise resources and commemorate World Disability Day 2019 at Niuland with the help from various quarters.
He added that the federation, formed on May 3, 2019 was still fledgling and needed as much support from the government, churches, NGOs and community leaders. The federation, he said was comprised of village disable people organizations formed by prodigals’ home through a project called “community based rehabilitation” supported by CBR Forum, Bangalore.
While presenting a gist about the rights of persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, president NSDF, Kezhaleto Zecho highlighted about different provisions for PwDs with regard to employment (4%) in government sectors, reservation (5%) in poverty alleviation schemes, right to inclusive education, and right to health and rehabilitation. He particularly stressed on the right to “accessibility” for PwDs, for which the government and various stakeholders have a major role to play.
He stated that if public places were made easily accessible, more PwDs would come out of their homes and be more visible, which unfortunately was not the case at present. Stressing on the same topic, he said that churches, public places such as meeting halls, market places, streets, etc should be made as accessible as possible for PwDs.
He also urged the church to involve PwDs in the church programmes and not only remember them on world disability day or on every 3rd Sunday of November (special Sunday for PwDs by NBCC). He concluded by thanking the present state commissioner for Persons with Disability for being very knowledgeable about issues of PwDs and for being very approachable.
Further, he encouraged the gathering, particularly PwDs and their guardians to approach the commissioner directly for any genuine issues related to PwDs or disability through official email id or office phone number which he would be sharing to them.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by general secretary NSDF, Ashe Kiba, EAC Niuland, Yanthungbemo spoke on behalf of ADC Niuland, while treasurer NSDF, Vikengunu Fatima Kera delivered vote of thanks. Government officials, GBs, PwDs, guardians of PwDs, village leaders, Church representatives, NGO workers and VDPO members attended the programme.