GUWAHATI: Shishu Sarothi, an active member of the National Disability Network, gathered inputs from individuals with disabilities to contribute to the collective "Manifesto: For and By People with Disabilities," initiated by the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP).
The manifesto aims to urge political parties to recognise persons with disabilities as a crucial voting bloc and prioritise their needs and rights in policy decisions. By engaging with persons with disabilities and translating their inputs into actionable demands, this manifesto seeks to foster a more inclusive and equitable society for all citizens.
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The "Manifesto" outlines key demands of persons with disabilities nationwide, including increasing budgetary allocations for disability inclusion, ensuring accessible health insurance policies, and promoting inclusive infrastructure and services. Other demands include amendments to the Constitution to include disability, reservation at all levels of governance, and access to employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
In a bid to disseminate the manifesto widely across Assam, the document has been translated into Assamese, ensuring greater accessibility and understanding among the local population. It has been shared with various organizations of Persons with Disabilities across different district units, empowering individuals with disabilities to actively participate in the democratic process and advocate for their rights.
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A team of young women and men with disabilities recently took the initiative further by meeting and presenting the manifesto to candidates and officials from different political parties. This grassroots engagement underscores the importance of including the voices of persons with disabilities in political discourse and decision-making processes.
