Technical session on ‘Physical Disabilities in the Light of Global Best Practices in Care, Rehabilitation and Research’

NEW DELHI:  The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act), which came into force in April 2017 provides various rights and entitlements to persons with disabilities. It mandates, among other things, the Central and state governments to implement global best practices for inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities. (You can read the full text of the RPwD Act here:  https://bit.ly/2huBFnT).

Since the Central and state governments are required to implement global best practices, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJ&E), Government of India, organised a one-day workshop on October 23, to discuss the ‘Best Practices across the Globe in the area of Care, Rehabilitation and Research’ in relation to the 21 disabilities covered under the RPwD Act. (The list of the 21 disabilities covered under the RPwD Act is available here:  https://bit.ly/2q5n1VL).

The workshop, which was conducted at Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra, New Delhi, was inaugurated by Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, Hon’ble Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Experts from across the country in each of the 21 disabilities (as per the RPwD Act)  took part in the workshop and shared their best practices in three technical sessions (Mental and Developmental Disabilities; Physical Disabilities; Neurological and Blood Disorder).

The Leprosy Mission Trust India (TLMTI), by virtue of its work with people affected by leprosy (leprosy is one of the 21 disabilities covered by the RPwD Act) was invited to take part in the workshop. Dr Mary Verghese, Executive Director, TLMTI, and Ms Nikita Sarah, Head of Advocacy and Communication, TLMTI, attended the workshop.

In the technical session on ‘Physical Disabilities in the Light of Global Best Practices in Care, Rehabilitation and Research’ chaired by Ms Shankuntala D. Gamlin, Secretary, DEPwD, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Dr Mary Verghese presented the best practices in Care, Rehabilitation and Research, in relation to leprosy, based on TLMTI’s long-standing work with people affected by leprosy.