Disabilities Bill foundation for transforming India: US expert

The passage of the landmark Disabilities Bill by the Indian Parliament has a far-reaching impact, laying the foundation for transforming the country's disability sector and bringing it on par with the developed world, said an Indian-American who campaigned for the cause.
"Finally, after 10 years of signing UN treaty, Indian Parliament has passed landmark bill for Divyang jan, Specially Abled People which has far reaching impact and foundation for transforming India's disability sector," Silicon Valley-based IT professional Pranav Desai told PTI yesterday.
Desai, head of 'Voice of Specially Abled People' (VoSAP) NGO, returned from India where he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the third time as part of efforts to push for the bill and improve the lot of India's large disability sector.

An elated Desai said the new bill, will become a law upon signature of the President, has 21 types of disabilities is in line with international standards.
"This is expected to increase employment of Specially Abled People in the private sector. Most importantly, bill has empowered the community with provision of increasing reservation in government jobs to four per cent," he said.
"Our vision is to transform India's disability sector as thought leaders and enablers which in turn will allow us to help other countries as well.

"Strict provisions for non-compliance such as fine up to Rs five lakh or jail term up to five years for variety of reasons such as assault, insult or intimidation. It will largely increase social inclusion, dignity and compliance of the law," Desai, who had over 125 meetings to advance the agenda of empowering specially-abled people, said.

The new bill gives five years of time limit for upgrading existing government buildings - state and central both.
Among his other proposals to the Indian government include setting up special economic zone (SEZ) for making India "Global Hub" for manufacturing of Assistive Devices, targeting to provide one million employment for Divyang by 2022 and enabling 100,000 people to get vision by 2020 by integrating, upgrading eye banks with hospitals and organ donation database - IT solution for achieving 70 per cent successful transplant.
Voice of Specially Abled People has also called for providing one accessible coach per passenger train.

Desai said VoSAP has started working with the Gujarat government to develop it as a role model state in India for adopting and implementing initiatives for creating "Divyang Friendly", Inclusive Society.
"As part of the strategy, VoSAP has now stepped up efforts to engage actively with selected states, Smart cities and ministries such as HRD and Health with transformation initiatives now that goals of proper law, awareness creation are already achieved," Desai added.