Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 3: On the eve of Braille Day, Kalpana Kala Kendra and Nami Dogri Sanstha (NDS)—socially driven organizations, have called for immediate action on key disability issues.
“In a memorandum submitted recently to the Government of India as well as State Government, we had highlighted critical issues faced by the differently abled community and gave actionable recommendations to address them but there has been no response or visible action from the authorities,” Kalpana Kala Kendra said in a handout issued today.
Both the organizations emphasized the mandatory use of white canes for visually impaired individuals to enhance public awareness and safety. They called for revised policies for Government employees, advocating for postings within a 10-kilometer radius of their homes, increased medical allowances, and pensions rising from 50% to 70% after age 60. Additionally, they stressed the importance of simplifying the UDID registration process, making it mandatory for railway and airline bookings while organizing regular camps to facilitate the issuance of UDID cards.
Other recommendations included accessibility audits of Government buildings, ensuring ramps and wheelchair-friendly facilities, and renovating public washrooms at key locations such as bus stands and railway stations. The proposal also highlighted the urgent need for tactile tiles on footpaths, accessible websites, talking ATMs, and inclusive education policies integrating Braille and sign language.
Kalpana Kala Kendra and Nami Dogri Sanstha advocated for mandatory sign language training for professionals in key sectors such as law enforcement, healthcare, and education to foster effective communication. It seeks representation for differently abled individuals in governance and the establishment of a Disability Commission to promote inclusive advocacy.
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