DIMAPUR, OCT 1 (NPN): Nagaland governor Nand Kishore Yadav has called for a shift from treating persons with disabilities (PwDs) with sympathy to ensuring their dignity, equal opportunity and independence, emphasising that they must have a central role in decisions affecting their lives.
Addressing the 100th Regional Parents’ Meet 2026, hosted by the Nagaland Parents Association for the Disabled (NAPAD) at RCEMPA, Kohima on Thursday, the governor said care may begin within the family but must ultimately lead to empowerment, enabling persons with disabilities to learn, participate, work, create and lead with dignity.
According to a Lok Bhavan statement, the meet held on the theme, “From Care to Empowerment: Building Inclusive Communities through Strong Families and Collective Action” marked a significant milestone in sustained dialogue, advocacy and collective action for the dignity and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Yadav said inclusion was a shared responsibility involving the government, schools, healthcare institutions, local bodies, employers, civil society and communities. He said it must extend to schools, public buildings, transport, workplaces, digital platforms and community spaces, with equal access to education, skills, employment and public services.
The governor underlined universal accessibility as an essential component of an inclusive and equitable society, while calling for stronger efforts in early identification and intervention through coordination among families, Anganwadi centres, schools, health workers and medical professionals.
He said education must remain at the heart of inclusion, requiring trained teachers, accessible infrastructure, appropriate learning materials and informed parental support. Yadav also called for the principles of inclusion and equity under the National Education Policy 2020 to be translated into meaningful action on the ground.
Further, the governor stressed the need to strengthen the transition from education to skills, skills to employment and employment to economic independence. He highlighted vocational training, skill development, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities. He urged workplaces to recruit, train and promote persons with disabilities on the basis of their abilities and performance.
Referring to Nagaland’s difficult terrain and dispersed settlements, the governor said inclusive services must extend beyond state and district headquarters to villages and communities.
He called for decentralised and innovative approaches to bring specialised healthcare, rehabilitation, assistive devices and inclusive education closer to people, with technology and tele-consultation helping bridge geographical gaps.
Yadav also called for a change in social attitudes towards persons with disabilities, saying they required respect, equal opportunity and the removal of barriers rather than sympathy alone.
Their voices and lived experiences, he said, should guide policies, programmes and decisions concerning their lives.
Marking the 100th meet as a moment of reflection and renewal, the governor called for stronger partnerships, greater accessibility, more inclusive schools and workplaces, enhanced support for families and wider opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate fully in society.
He particularly acknowledged parents for their sustained efforts in securing therapy, education and accessibility for their children.
Yadav congratulated PARIVAAR-NCPO, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, the State Commission for Persons with Disabilities, NAPAD and partner organisations for bringing the landmark event to Nagaland. He expressed hope that the meet would open a new chapter in the collective effort towards inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
