16th Fortnight Barrier Free Campaign kicks off
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 17 2023:
The opening ceremony of the 16th Fortnight Barrier Free Campaign 2023 was held today at State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities located at the Social Welfare Department Office under the theme "Make Access Make Inclusive".
Organised by the Handicapped Development (HD) Foundation, Manipur, the campaign which kicked off today is slated to conclude on October 31.The opening ceremony of the 15-day campaign was graced by Dr Sapam Jasobanta, Chairman, HD Foundation; L Dhaneshwar, Deputy Director, Social Welfare Department; Robinson, Deputy Director (Disabilities Cell), Social Welfare Department and W Birahari, Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sapam Jasobanta informed that the Fortnight Barrier Free Campaign was launched in 2008.He asserted that many barriers and obstacles stand in the way of achieving a united and progressive society.
Before 1960, disabilities were treated/dealt under the charity model and medical model.
However, since then legislations have been passed in India to bring the differently abled persons to mainstream regular life.
In Manipur too, the Government has taken up many steps in the interest of the differently abled community, he said.
Stating that such changes are necessary, he pointed out the transformation in language in addressing the differently abled people.
People once used words such as 'disabled', 'handicap' etc but some people have replaced them with 'differently abled' or in the case of the Prime Minister who promoted using the term 'divyang' (divine body).
He called upon the people to dispel previously held negative beliefs about differently abled people.
He asserted that the campaign was organised to endorse the utilization of differently abled persons' potential, talent and productivity for the development and welfare of the State/country.