Programs

This is a three-year program aimed at creating awareness around accessibility vis-a-vis the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 and ensuring the implementation of the RPwD Act, 2016 in full body and spirit.

To create awareness among various stakeholders around the RPwD and ensure its speedy and effective implementation through issue based campaigns, providing legal aid to people with disabilities, organizing sensitization seminars/workshops and lobbying with policymakers and also increasing awareness of masses around disability through the DNIS portal. The programme also aims to recognise good practices in accessibility and create awareness around Universal Design concept through the NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Awards. Universal Design is the design of buildings, products or environments to make them accessible to all people regardless of age, disability or other factors.

1. Advocacy with the identified Ministries for urgent intervention vis-a-vis effective implementation of the accessibility clauses under the RPwD Act, 2016
2. The National Disability Network (NDN) and National Convention Rights of Persons with Disability (NCRPD) Members meeting on issues concerning people with disabilities
3. Set up the Disability Legislation Unit (DLU) to file RTIs/PILs vis-a-vis implementation/violation of the RPwD Act, 2016; organising Capacity Building Workshops/Seminars and aiding in making the political participation and election process accessible for people with disabilities
4. Legal Aid to persons with disabilities in matters relating to but not limited to, employment, education, health, protection against abuse and violence etc.
5. Organising Universal Design Awards to spread awareness around Universal Design and popularise the concept
6. Revive the Disability News and Information Service (DNIS) to bring to the forefront important issues around disability as well as disseminate the information

Policy Changes

1. Drafting of guidelines for Accessibility Standard for ICT– NCPEDP  provided the base document on which the Draft Guidelines for Accessibility Standard for ICT have been formulated.
2. National Advisory Committee on Accessible Elections– NCPEDP regularly provides inputs on conducting accessible elections as well as feedback on accessibility standards of elections already held.
3. Inclusion of persons with disabilities in better implementation of the Disability inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DiDRR) Guidelines–  NCPEDP had set up the National Core Group on Inclusive Disaster Management which include disability activists from across India, including a person with disability who is also a State Disability Commissioner to with engaging strategically with key stakeholders to ensure Disability Inclusive Risk Reduction and Recovery.

Issue-based campaign on

1. Access to Employment– NCPEDP has entered into an agreement with IIM Bangalore to conduct a study on the Status of Employment of People with Disabilities
2. Access to Education– NCPEDP has formed the  National Core Group on Education, with disability activists, education experts, and other stakeholders from all over India to create enabling mechanisms for children with disability vis-a-vis the National Education Policy, 2020.
3. Access to Census– Although the challenges of the lockdown delayed the advocacy engagement, NCPEDP has vigorously resumed its engagement, especially keeping in mind the new thrust on Digital Census.
4. Disability Related Laws– NCPEDP prepared a memorandum against the proposed amendments to the RPwD Act, 2016, which was sent to the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities with the endorsement of hundreds of disability organizations.As a result of this, in a key victory, the proposed amendments were withdrawn.

Mphasis FI Foundation

Pan India