The persons with disabilities act of 1995

INTRODUCTION
The government of India has put in place an Act for the disabled to make sure the disabled also form an important part of nation building. The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 came into force on February 7, 1996. It is a significant step which ensures equal opportunities for the people with disabilities. The Act provides for both the preventive and promotional aspects of rehabilitation like education, employment and vocational training, reservation, research and manpower development, creation of barrier- free environment, rehabilitation of persons with disability, unemployment allowance for the disabled, special insurance scheme for the disabled employees and establishment of homes for persons with severe disability etc.

PRINCIPLES
less favourable treatment for a reason related to a disabled person's disability; and
failure to make a "reasonable adjustment".
employers are likely to find it reasonable to provide accessible IT equipment;
many shops are likely to find it reasonable to make their premises accessible to wheelchair users;
councils are likely to find it reasonable to provide information in alternative formats (such as large print) as well as normal written form.

RIGHTS
Every child with disability shall have the rights to free education till the age of 18 years in integrated schools or special schools
Appropriate transportation, removal of architectural barriers and restructuring of modifications in the examination system shall be ensured for the benefit of children with disabilities
Children with disabilities shall have the right to free books, scholarships, uniform and other learning material

Special Schools for children with disabilities shall be equipped with vocational training facilities
Non-formal education shall be promoted for children with disabilities
Teachers’ Training Institutions shall be established to develop requisite manpower
Parents may move to an appropriate forum for the redressal of grievances regarding the placement of their children with disabilities

MAIN GOALS
Blindness or Low Vision
Hearing Impairment
Locomotor Disabilities & Cerebral Palsy
Suitable Scheme shall be formulated for
The training and welfare of persons with disabilities
The relaxation of upper age limit
Regulating the employment
Health and Safety measures and creation of a non- handicapping, environment in places where persons with disabilities are employed

RESEARCH AND MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT
Research in the following areas shall be sponsored and promoted
Prevention of Disability
Rehabilitation including community based rehabilitation Development of Assistive Devices
Job Identification
On site Modifications of Offices and Factories
Financial assistance shall be made available to the universities, other institutions of higher learning, professional bodies and non-government research- units or institutions, for undertaking research for special education, rehabilitation and manpower development

PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION OF DISABILITIES
Surveys, investigations and research shall be conducted to ascertain the cause of occurrence of disabilities
Various measures shall be taken to prevent disabilities. Staff at the Primary Health Centre shall be trained to assist in this work
All the Children shall be screened once in a year for identifying ‘at-risk’ cases
Awareness campaigns shall be launched and sponsored to disseminate information
Measures shall be taken for pre-natal, peri natal, and post-natal care of the mother and child