DISABILITY LAWS
Inclusion is more than benchmarks, says SC

Apex court rules that both public and private sector are obliged to make 'reasonable accommodation' to facilitate the full participation of disabled persons in society.

#Laws #Society
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY
There’s nothing to be ashamed about disability

An inspiring account of Malini Chib, disability rights activist and author, who talks about how she got around to developing a strong disability identity that she wants to “celebrate” rather than reject.

#People #Women
DISABILITY IN DELHI
In the national capital, no policy for Persons with Disabilities

The Comptroller and Auditor General performance audit of the social welfare schemes for Persons with Disabilities run by the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Delhi, covering the years from 2009 to 2014, which got tabled recently brought forth some shocking facts, writes Himanshu Upadhyaya.

#Health #DELHI
SPECIAL NEEDS THERAPY
A doctor who cures without a word!
SPECIAL NEEDS THERAPY : A doctor who cures without a word!

Dr Ruffles, an affectionate dog and resident ‘doctor’ at a hospital in Chennai, has helped several children with special needs to overcome their learning disabilities and resolve complex behavioural issues. Hema Vijay reports.

#Child Health #Special ED #Children
INCLUSION IN EDUCATION
A school for me too
INCLUSION IN EDUCATION : A school for me too

The Nanagu Shaale programme shows why the provision of home-based education for children with special needs may in practice defeat the ideological objective of inclusion. 

#Education Law and Policy #Education #KARNATAKA
INVISIBLE ACHIEVERS
The Olympic medals India won and ignored
Indian participants won a remarkable 387 medals at the Special Olympic Games for sports persons with intellectual disabilities held in Australia in December 2013. Pushpa Achanta urges greater state and institutional support for these neglected sports persons as she brings us their inspiring stories.
#Health #Society
DISABLED TRAVELLERS
When travel arouses dread
DISABLED TRAVELLERS : When travel arouses dread
As the world observes the International Day of People with Disability on 3 December, Malini Shankar draws attention through a three-part series to the pathetic lack of attention and consideration for the disabled in the Indian Railways, the only cost-effective means of long distance travel for the masses.
#Transport #Health
GLOBAL BENCHMARKS
Rail travel for the disabled: Learn from the world
Attention to international benchmarks, awareness of rights and proactive provision of basic facilities could make train journeys a less stressful experience for physically challenged passengers in the country, says Malini Shankar in the second part of her series.
#Transport #Health
VISION
An eye for empowerment
Mritunjay Tiwary has brought eyesight to tens of thousands of people through his eye hospital in rural Bihar. But his vision of development extends much farther. Ruchi Choudhary reports.
#Health #BIHAR
MERCHANTS OF HOPE
Twice blessed
MERCHANTS OF HOPE : Twice blessed
Dolly Basu's production of The Merchant of Venice, with special children cast in nearly all roles, has taught her as much as it has helped the children themselves. Shoma Chatterji reports.
#Art #Society
DISABILITY
New interventions for the deafblind
A number of development organisations are working to diagnose deafblindess in children, and provide learning tools and techniques that can mainstream them. Freny Manecksha reports.
#Health
RIGHTS OF THE DISABLED
Implement the UNCRPD, say activists
RIGHTS OF THE DISABLED : Implement the UNCRPD, say activists
India has ratified the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, but done very little to protect the rights of the disabled in accordance with it. Freny Manecksha reports.
#Health
THE DISABILITY SECTOR
The ability debates
THE DISABILITY SECTOR : The ability debates

Quite a few debates are currently raging in the disability rights movement. Special schools or inclusive education, community based rehabilitation or institutionalised rehabilitation, job reservations or none - Prasanna Kumar Pincha discusses these and other questions.

#Health
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Bringing disabled kids back to school
When a teacher specially trained to handle children with special needs started work at a local government school in Bangalore, children were benefited and stopped dropping out. Padmalatha Ravi has more.
#Education #KARNATAKA
DISABILITY
Tech to the aid of autistic children
Recent research has shown that computer/digital technologies can help children with autism (and other disabilities) learn and communicate better. A computer training workshop for parents and children was held recently at Bangalore. Shuchi Grover reports.
#Health #KARNATAKA