Shillong, Dec 3: Along with the rest of the world, Meghalaya on Monday celebrated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) under the theme “Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality.â€
The celebration was held at Yojana Bhavan Auditorium, Main Secretariat in Shillong as well as in other districts of the state.
The celebration was graced in the presence of Additional Chief Secretary, H Marwein as the Chief Guest and Chief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya, F R Kharkongor as the Guest of Honour.
Among other dignitaries, Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities, C. Kharkongor, Associate Professor, NERIE, NCERT, Dr. Melisa G. Wallang, Project Director & State Coordinator, State Resource Centre on Disability Affairs, Civil Hospital, Shillong, Dr. O Lamare, and officials from the Police and other departments and students from Umjer Ksiar SSA School Mawreng, Sanmer Secondary School (SSA-RMSA) and Jyoti Sroat were also present on the occasion.
The Chief Guest launched the Meghalaya Sign Bank App, a mobile app for the benefit of persons with hearing impairment, which was conceptualised and developed by Dr. Wallang and the National Informatics Centre, Shillong.
Meghalaya has received two National Awards, one for Carmo Noronha, Executive Director, Bethany Society for his immense work for the cause of PwDs and Montfort Centre for Education, Tura for promoting inclusive education.
The Chief Guest and Guest of Honour also felicitated Batimon Nongsteng, Special Booth Level Officer for PwDs of Massar Polling Station under 27-Pynursla Assembly Constituency.
Addressing the gathering, Marwein said that the main objective of the celebration was to improve and promote issues relating to PwDs and mobilise support and create awareness on the rights of PwDs in political and social spectrum.
“We need to break down barriers to ensure that the rights of PwDs are not violated,†Marwein said.
Stating that discrimination towards PwDs is a crime, Marwein urged the people to not only see disability in a person with disability, but to see the abilities in them so that they can be empowered for the inclusive, equitable and sustainable development.
He informed that the government has drawn various initiatives and policies to ensure access of PwDs in public properties and for creating job opportunities in government organization, adding that the government has also created a unique identity card for PwDs so that they can draw benefits from schemes and grants of the government.
F.R. Kharkongor said that the Government of India has made 2018 a “Year of Accessible Election†and it is the endeavour of the Election Department to take steps to ensure the right to franchise to PwDs.
The CEO informed that the Election Department has also accorded basic amenities for PwDs in which trained volunteers are put in place to extend these facilities to them, and the training is going on for volunteers in partnership with the Deaf Association.
He said that the Meghalaya Sign Bank App that has been launched will greatly benefit in the election process, while informing that one initiative of the Election Department is the development of election materials in Braille for the benefit of PwDs.
Dr. Melisa G. Wallang also explained in detail about the functions of the Meghalaya Sign Bank App and how it will benefit the PwDs.
Other highlights of the celebration were songs and dance presented by students of special schools.
