UN report recommends centralised database for PwD programs

In its recent report on 'Livelihood Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities', United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has also recommended adoption of a uniform definition of disability as prescribed in the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

"Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry must ensure a centralised and detailed database for all states pertaining to programmatic target achieved for the People with Disability (PwD)," the report said.

The Chief Commissioner Disability and State Commissioner Disability's office needs to be strengthened with a strong statistical support to capture all program data that directly or indirectly benefits the PwD, it added.

Observing that terminology and definition used for defining disability should be standardised, the report further said discrepancy in this area needs to be discontinued with elimination of word 'handicapped' from all policy document, schemes and legislations.

For effective implementation of the schemes meant for PwD, it also recommended putting in place systems to ensure accountability and proper handling of cases of non-compliance.

"A system for accountability and procedures for handling non-compliance need to be defined and capacities for effective implementation need to be put in place," it said.

The UN report, which was prepared in consultation with the Planning Commission, has also recommended measures for the private sector to provide gainful livelihood opportunities for disabled people. (More)