Statement from National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP)
On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) echoes with the theme of the year, ‘United in action to rescue and achieve the SDGs for, with, and by persons with disabilities’, and gives an urgent call for genuine inclusion, moving beyond mere rhetoric to concrete actions, emphasizing the need for accurate data, and fostering true participation.
The lack of comprehensive and reliable data is a glaring obstacle in the pursuit of inclusivity. NCPEDP emphasizes the immediate necessity for robust mechanisms to collect disaggregated disability data. Without this foundation, efforts are compromised, akin to navigating in the dark. Govt agencies must prioritize and enhance capacity-building support for accurate data collection, ensuring that no one is left behind, the core principle of SDG 2030 agenda.
India, as a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), must fulfil its obligation to gather statistical and research data. The recent exclusion of disability-related inquiries from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) survey is not only a cause for concern but a contradiction to the SDG 2030 agenda. NCPEDP calls upon the Indian government to reinstate disability-related questions in national surveys, fulfilling its commitment to equitable representation and informed policymaking.
To ensure mainstreaming of the disabled people, the government in support with people with disabilities must prioritize :
- Disability Census in each State & Union Territory.
- Disability Inclusive Budget at Union & State Level
- Central/ State sponsored Health Insurance for Persons with Disabilities in lines with Ayushman Bharat- National Health Protection Mission.
- Ensure Accessibility in compliance with Section 40 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016.
- Political Participation of People with Disabilities.
Inclusion is not a token gesture but a commitment to involving persons with disabilities in decision-making processes. Advocating for a paradigm shift, and moving from symbolic representation to genuine involvement, NCPEDP underscores the importance of creating a comprehensive database that encompasses health, education, employment, and other critical domains. This holistic approach ensures a thorough representation of disabled individuals, paving the way for informed resource allocation.
NCPEDP reaffirms its commitment to turning aspirations into actions.
With the IDPD theme of this year, United in action to rescue and achieve the SDGs for, with and by persons with disabilities, the journey continues, and with each step, we draw closer to an India where the potential of every citizen, regardless of ability, is recognized, celebrated, and harnessed for the greater good. Nothing Without Us.
–Arman Ali, Executive Director, NCPEDP
