LOK SABHA
CHANGE IN NATIONAL POLICY
2644. SHRI DAYANIDHI MARAN:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government will propose to alter the word “DISABILITY” to “DIFFERENTLY ABLED” in the new draft national policy and similarly in all the Government department names, texts, bills and orders henceforth, if so, the details thereof and the time by which such an order would be implemented;
(b) whether the Government is aware that a large number of differently abled persons are being left out of the consultative process due to the draft not being available in sign language and regional languages and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the reasons for which the draft was not provided in sign language and regional languages in the first place and whether such versions will be provided for the benefit of the differently abled and regional language speakers and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the various consultations, opinions, expert suggestions and feedback from the public received by the Government on the draft policy so far and the position of the Government on the same with details and reasons thereof?
(SUSHRI PRATIMA BHOUMIK)
(a) India is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). In line with this convention the Government enacted the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 which came into force on 19.04.2017. The term ‘persons with disabilities’ has been used in both the Convention and the RPwD Act, 2016. Accordingly, there is no proposal to change this term.
(b) and (c) The sign language video of the draft National Policy has been developed and is available on the website of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities at https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/mobile/folders/1NYYXg9sbVmmBYBObRM0wem41AUKir cwO?usp=sharing Further, the State/UTs have also been advised on 27th July, 2022 to translate the draft National Policy in regional languages and place on their respective website for wider participation of stakeholders.
(d) The last date for submission of comments/suggestions on the draft National Policy has been extended to 31st August, 2022. Comments/suggestions are being compiled.