Disability Election Manifesto.docx

Amendment to the constitution and laws Article 15 of the Constitution of India lists human diversities. However, it has not included discrimination on the grounds of impairments. This has led to distinction and lack of recognition of persons with disability as a legal person under various laws and regulations. Convention on the Rights of persons with disabilities under article 5 talks about Equality and non-discrimination on the grounds of disability. At this juncture, it is imperative to have a Constitutional Amendment to include “impairment” under Article 15. Similarly, to recognise sign language and Braille scripts, a constitutional amendment is essential ensuring full accessibility and full recognition of the Right to Information and Communication. Reservations Reservation of 5% for contesting local, state legislative assembly and Lok Sabha elections. Ensure At least 1 Persons with Disability is nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President. Reserve the posts of "Central Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities" for persons with disabilities. Reserve 1 or 2 breaths for persons with disabilities during the formation or joining the government Political participation Allocate / recruit a minimum of 10% positions within political parties to persons with Disabilities. Reserve of 5% of seats for persons with disabilities for contesting local, state legislative assembly and Lok Sabha elections Every party to have an accessibility/diversity/inclusion officer to address the issues of marginalised groups including Persons with Disabilities within the party and that of general public. Accessibility and inclusion Accessible India Campaign must be redefined and reframed to include rural areas and there should be clear guidelines on the provision of reasonable accommodation till full accessibility is ensured. Ensure accessibility and inclusion from design/policy draft to implementation and usage of all initiations pertaining to physical, social and digital arena Data Data and statistics based on internationally comparison standards such as Washington Group of Disabilities. National registry on the data of all 21 Disabilities mentioned in RPDA to be published. Administrative and financial data disaggregation should be mandated similar to gender budgeting statement Specific surveys should be initiated for planning and policy development in areas specific to different constituency of persons with disabilities. Education and training Ensure admissions for all streams of grade/degree/course for all persons with disabilities both in Kendria Vidyalayas National Universities and Indian Institutes. Ensure relevant disability related topics are a part all professional/training course curriculum as a compulsory subject All National Institutes such as NIRD, NIUD, Town Planning should have modules on the rights and entitlements of persons with disabilities and also current perspective to inclusive development and participation

Resource allocation and spending Ensure fund allocation for implementation Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 Recognition of the issues concerning the rights of persons with disabilities as cross sectoral and developmental. Reframe the policies and programmes across Ministries and Departments to effectively include and be responsive to protect the rights of persons with disabilities. There should be sectoral commitments and guidelines for effective inclusion of persons with disabilities. Social security Social protection must be designed taking into account additional cost of disability referring to ILO 202 recommendations Social audit systems and procedures should be evolved for all programs that concerns persons with disability Participation There should be disability equity official under the direct supervision of the PMO that guides policies and programmes and ensures responsiveness and effective inclusion of persons with disabilities. There should be space across the process of implementation, Accountability and Monitoring for persons with disability to participate effectively.