New Delhi, Sep 23 (UNI) In an effort to ensure that disability rights are given priority in India’s political environment, the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) announced the first-ever Parliamentary Forum on Disability during the National Disability Network Meeting on Monday.
By fostering cooperation between MPs and important stakeholders, this platform puts disability rights at the centre of legislative and policy choices, said an NCPEDP official.
During the meeting, both disability specialists and individuals with disabilities discussed the need to include disabled people in politics in order to improve society truly.
The idea that disability is a political issue is at the core of this project. Since politics shapes policy, the true inclusion of people with disabilities (PWDs) cannot be realised until they are deeply ingrained in mainstream political discourse.
The Karnataka Assembly elections in May 2023 marked the beginning of NCPEDP’s road towards reality, as the group saw that major political parties’ manifestos notably lacked any mention of disability.
“We took a bold step by asking political parties across states to recognise that persons with disabilities matter and to give us space in their manifestos. It was a decisive call that I believe has elevated the disability discourse to a new level,” said Arman Ali, Executive Director of NCPEDP.
“While we encountered both success and disappointment, our resolve was unwavering. This led to the creation of India’s first-ever Disability Manifesto, which provides a blueprint for political parties to follow,” he said.
By building on this foundation and ensuring that people with disabilities have a voice at the highest levels of policy-making, the Parliamentary Forum on Disability will advance the cause.
The forum will include Members of Parliament in focused seminars and campaigns aimed at increasing awareness of the difficulties encountered by individuals with disabilities, advocating for inclusive policies, and guaranteeing the efficient execution of legislation pertaining to disabilities.
Disability rights will continue to be a political priority, not an afterthought, thanks to the forum.
According to Ali, “People with disabilities face significant barriers, from inadequate policy measures to limited legislative awareness.”
“Today, we are advocating for a strong and comprehensive framework that enables every person with a disability to engage fully in society,” he said.
This Parliamentary Forum would be vital in ensuring that disability rights are ingrained in the country’s legal and policy framework as India moves closer to real inclusion.
