Barrier free campaign concludes
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 31 2014 : The fortnight long barrier free campaign organised by Handicap Development (HD) Foundation ended today at Manipur Press Club.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr S Yasovanta, general secretary of HD Foundation said that differently abled persons of the State face many barriers in their endeavour to maintain equal status with others.

Due to the existence of several barriers, the exceptional talents and skills of many differently abled persons remain unexplored.

These barriers have thus become an impediment to the path of development, Dr Yasovanta said.

Most of the States in the country have implemented their own policy for disabled persons in line with the National policy on disability.

Saying that the State is yet to formulate and implement a concrete policy on disability, Dr Yasovanta said the barriers faced by differently abled persons of the State would be overcome once the State Govt adopts and implements its own policy.

He also said that one of the biggest barriers is the absence of State policy on disability.

Pointing out that self-imposed barrier, social attitudes and traditionally attached barriers are predominant, Dr Yasovanta said the condition of differently abled persons cannot be improved unless these barriers are removed.

In an attempt to create awareness on the urgency of removing the barriers, the barriers free campaign was organised, he said.

As per the 2011 census, there are around 54,000 disabled persons in the State.

99 percent of them could not overcome the barriers.

People in rural areas suffer more.

Organising workshop, distributing leaflets to the public, sharing success stories and conducting barrier free campaigns at few schools in Imphal West, Tamenglong and Churachandpur districts through power point presentations marked the fortnight long campaign.

Chairman of HD Foundation, Dr Ch Rupachandra Singh said that concerned parents should try to identify and explore the exceptional talents of their children and expose them instead of harbouring emotional letdown.

He urged the parents to expose their children and consult experts.

Presentation of speech, screening of documentary film and presentation of cultural items marked the valedictory programme of the campaign today.

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