Under Disability Initiatives, University of Jammu a consultation meeting on the draft National Policy for Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) developed by the Department of Empowerment of persons with Disabilities,Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Government of India was held today. Prof. Rajni Dhingra, Dean Research Studies, JU was the chief guest on the occasion. In her address she emphasized that concerted efforts have to be made to demystify the meaning of disability and appreciate PwDs as valuable human resources. She mentioned that all stakeholders have to work jointly in order to ensure justice and dignity to people with disabilities. She reiterated that the University of Jammu is committed towards creating an inclusive ecosystem where all students and scholars including those with disabilities can receive higher education without any hindrance.Speaking on the occasion Coordinator Disability Initiatives, JU and organizer of the meet Dr. Sarika Manhas shared that the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, GOI has invited recommendations and suggestions from policy stakeholders, academicians, corporates and professionals in the social sector on the draft national policy for persons with disabilities till 30^th of August 2022. She said that this new policy is an endeavour of DePwD to fulfil the requirements stipulated under UNCRPD and RPWD Act, 2016. While sharing the objectives of the consultation program she mentioned that the meet was an effort to assist the policymakers in the process by inviting relevant stakeholders from across Jammu to discuss and deliberate upon aspects such as identification of disabilities, disability certification, accessibility, education, health, skill development and employment, sports, culture and recreation. The suggestions and recommendations emanating will be compiled in the form of a report and shall be forwarded to the concerned ministry and Department.

After exhaustive discussion some of the recommendations conscripted related to use of one comprehensive ID cards for PwDs, role of CSEcentersand PRI in mapping person with disabilities, mandatory provisions for identification of preventable disabilities, inclusion of disability in school curriculum, designing and transacting university level courses in disability,adequate emphasis on mental health and well-being, creating accessible sport facility, provisions for one nation-one pension, life insurance cover for PwDs and availability of sign language interpreters. Prominent among those who attended the meet included Prof. Samridhi Arora (HoD Home Science, JU), Ms. Sandhya Dhar (Nari Shakti Awardee and President, JIGER), Mr.Umesh Sharma (Chairman,Disabled Care Foundation), Sh. Roshan Bhan (Principal,School for Hearing Handicapped), Dr. Bharti Tandon (Associate Professor, MIER College of Education), Dr. Kiran (Assistant Professor, Central University of Jammu), Mr. Chandeep Singh (Renowned Para athlete), Mr. M.K Badyal(General Secretary, National Federation of Blind), Dr. Shah Nawaz (Lecturer, Department of Pediatrics, GMC Jammu),Ms.Ritika (Chairperson, Beloved Grace Organization), Mr.Sushil Kumar (Chairman, All J&K Disabled Welfare Trust), Ms. Sunita Kumari (Secretary, Divyangjan Cricket team J&K), Ms. Neha Kalra (District resource person, IE, Jammu) and Sh. Charan Dass (Redt. Headmaster) among others. The students with disabilities enrolled for various courses at University of Jammu were also present. Dr. Arpana Langeh, Ms. Kanika Gupta and Ms. Vinish Malik, Research scholars from the Department of Home Science, JU helped in conduct of the meet.