One-day workshop on chalking out an action plan for Empowering Persons with Disabilities organised by the Department of Social & Tribal Welfare as a part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebration on February 28.

Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, RK Mathur thanked the experts and NGOs working for the benefit of the Divyangs for making the workshop successful. He also appreciated the Social & Tribal Welfare Department for taking the initiative to organise the workshop.

LG Mathur stressed the need for the welfare of persons with disabilities. He stated that a society is judged by the steps taken to empower people with disabilities. He also shared collective effort is needed to provide love, care and livelihood for Divyangs.

He appreciated the five groups for drafting action plans with specific timelines to assist persons with disabilities.

LG Mathur shared that a census/survey would be conducted in March this year as the first step to find out people affected with disabilities who need assistance. He stated that some steps can be taken immediately to help the Divyangs, including making government and commercial buildings accessible to them, providing equipment such as hearing aid to overcome their disabilities and the need to provide training and technical assistance to the government officials to enable them to understand the needs of the Divyangs and also sensitise them towards persons with disabilities.

LG Mathur also spoke on providing employment and livelihood opportunities to the Divyangs. He also highlighted the importance of the convergence of efforts of all the elected representatives for the welfare of persons with disabilities. He stated that everyone has a role to play to make Divyangs a productive part of society.

Secretary, Social & Tribal Welfare Department, Padma Angmo spoke on the draft Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules that are currently in the public domain to seek their feedback and suggestions. She shared that the workshop is action plan-oriented that will benefit persons with disabilities. She informed that three national-level experts are providing their guidance to draft strategies to empower persons with disabilities. She further informed that NGOs such as PAGIR, Munsel Society, Leh Nutrition Project, Mahabodhi International and Rewa Society are working for empowering Divyangs in Ladakh.

Five working groups comprising various government officials and experts gave presentations on action plans to remove barriers and improve accessibility, education, built-up environment and accessibility for persons with disabilities.

There were sessions by CEO, Samarthanam Trust, Rajendra K; Head Operations, STFTD Empowering Persons with Disabilities, Shivaram Deshpande and Advocate S Vashishth on the different types of disabilities and special provisions and fundamental rights guaranteed to the disabled under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 respectively. 50 participants, including persons with disabilities, representatives from NGOs and government officials took part in the workshop. 

The workshop was assignment-based and different groups were formed to chalk out strategies and action plans for the next five years with the help of stakeholders and national-level experts.