Sensitization and awareness campaign programme on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 for all head of offices under Peren district was held on October 29 at DC’s conference hall, new district headquarter, Peren.
According to DIPR report, programme was organised by mission mode team (Accessible India Campaign) in collaboration with office of the state commissioner for persons with disabilities and the campaign was chaired by DC Peren, Sentiwapang Aier. Secretary & team leader, mission mode team (AIC), K. Libanthung Lotha, while highlighting on the roles and responsibilities of the mission mode team (AIC), asserted that it is a nation-wide flagship campaign programme carried out by the government of India based on RPwD Act, 2016 to achieve universal accessibility for persons with disabilities.
He stated that Peren is the fourth district in the state to conduct this campaign which will be continuing in other districts too. He mentioned that RPwD Act, 2016 was passed to fulfill India’s obligation to the united nations convention on the rights of persons with disabilities (UNCRPD) which India ratified in 2007, Libanthung added.
He further appealed to the district officials, NGOs and stake holders that it is their sole responsibility to sensitize all the people as directed by the Supreme Court of India and be an agent for successful implementation on RPwD Act, 2016. Also speaking on the campaign as resource person, state commissioner for persons with disabilities, Diethono Nakhro stressed on the overview of RPwD Act, 2016, status of implementation & way forward. She also expressed the need to provide an educated mentor or a teacher who can give proper education to the persons with disabilities and also shared the status and difficulties faced by the disabled persons. In addition, she also spoke on the importance of accessibility and the need to promote sign language in our state for the disabled persons.
Diethono Nakhro further asserted that disabled persons are the most neglected ones in the society, therefore, it was the responsibility of the government to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy the “Right to equality, life with dignity and respect for his/her own integrity equally with others”.
During the programme, Prodigal’s Home, Dimapur, director, K. Ela also spoke on disability scenario in Nagaland challenges and opportunities while court directives/legal implications of non-compliance were highlighted by Guwahati High-Court Kohima Bench, advocate, Apila Sangtam.