PANAJI
Taking strong note of complaints that many schools and colleges are denying admission to students with disabilities, the Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) has warned schools and colleges that any such denial of admission was a violation of the Rights of Persons with Disability Act 2016 and Goa Children's Act and Right to Education Act.
"We have received around four such complaints from students and we have forwarded the complaints to the education department and directorate of higher education for further action,” said DRAG president Avelino D'Sa.
“Colleges have to reserve 5% of their seats for persons with disability under the Act,” said D'Sa.
He appealed to schools and colleges facing any difficulty in catering to students with disability and in need of special educators or resource rooms to contact the DRAG on 9326120903.
The DRAG has also warned the Swayampurna Mitras and panchayat secretaries for neglecting persons with disability in the State.
"We have taken cognisance of a video regarding a woman from Camurlim whose legs were amputated and was neglected by the Government."
“The government organised two versions of Swayampurna Goem camps and one camp to provide aids and appliances to persons with disability during the last year. Yet, this woman did not get a wheelchair nor a toilet nor DSS even though she applied for it in July 2021, even though she stays in front of the Camurlim Panchayat.”
"It is a criminal offence to neglect persons with disability. We warn the Swayampurna Mitras, panchayat secretaries and social welfare field workers to ensure such cases of neglect of persons with disability do not happen again, failing which we will be forced to take action against them under the Rights of Persons with Disability Act 2016", he said.
DRAG has also demanded action against the Sports Authority of Goa and GSIDC engineers for constructing a swimming pool complex and stadium at Vasco which is not accessible for persons with disability and is in violation of the Rights of Persons with Disability Act 2016.
DRAG has also demanded medical check-ups at the residence of poor and needy persons with disability and the elderly, who have nobody to take them to the health centres, especially in the villages.
The association has also demanded a home-based facility by the sub registrar's office for people with disability and the elderly who face difficulty in going to the sub registrar's office.
