Srinagar: With an aim of creating awareness on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPD Act 2016) a one day seminar was organized by an NGO Save the Destitute Foundation here.
According to a press note, the speakers during the seminar laid special emphasis on various sections of the act and urged upon the Government to implement the same in letter and spirit. Chairman of Humanity Welfare Organization and Padma awardee Javaid Ahmad Tak who was chief guest on the occasion said that persons with disabilities are called with several names like specially abled people , handicap , differently abled and Divyang .
“All these different names create confusion among the society and I urge upon people to call these people Persons with Disability which is name given under the RPD Act “ said Tak
Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat social activist and Chairman RTI Movement gave a detailed presentation on the RPD Act 2016. He explained in detail the powers of the state and Central Commission for Persons with Disabilities. He urged upon the Government to constitute the State Commission for disabilities in J & K as soon as the previous commission constituted under J&K act was closed down post Article 370 abrogation.
Dr Urfana Ameen Master Coordinator Directorate of School Education Kashmir also gave a detailed presentation on RPD Act 2016. She explained in detail how the Directorate of School Education Kashmir was working on implementation of this act in letter and spirit. Inayat Ullah Dar a professional social worker from Anantnag spoke about RPD Act and the challenges being faced by the education department in implementing the same. He stressed upon school teachers to study the act and implement the same in schools so that children with disabilities get better education without any hurdles.
Several participants from Government and NGOs participated in the day-long seminar. Dr Chintanjeet Kour moderated the programme. At the end of the event the participants and speakers were felicitated with certificates and momentos.