📘 National Policy for Persons with Disabilities – 2006

 



📘 National Policy for Persons with Disabilities – 2006

 Introduction

The Government of India formulated the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities (NPPD) in 2006 to ensure equal opportunities, full participation, and protection of rights for persons with disabilities (PwDs).

It aligns with the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD – 2006).

Objectives of the Policy

    • To create an inclusive society by removing discrimination.
    • To ensure equal rights, opportunities, and dignity.
    • To promote rehabilitation, education, and barrier-free access.
    • To increase participation in social, cultural, political, and economic life.

Focus Areas / Key Components

A. Prevention of Disabilities

    • Awareness about nutrition, immunization, genetic counselling.
    • Early detection and intervention.
    • Screening of infants and children.

B. Rehabilitation Measures

Three major types:

    1. Physical Rehabilitation
    1. Educational Rehabilitation
      • Inclusive education in mainstream schools
      • Special schools for children with severe disabilities
      • Teacher training in special education
      • Availability of Braille books, sign language, resource rooms.
    1. Economic Rehabilitation

C. Women and Children with Disabilities

    • Protection against abuse.
    • Special education and vocational training for girls.
    • Support for mothers and caregivers.

D. Barrier-Free Environment

E. Social Security

F. Promotion of NGOs

    • Collaboration with NGOs for service delivery
    • Funding support
    • Monitoring and evaluation

G. Research and Human Resource Development

    • Research in disability studies
    • Trained professionals: special educators, therapists
    • National institutes strengthened (NIVH, NIEPMD, NIMH, NIHH)

H. Sports, Recreation, Cultural Activities

    • Promotion of participation in sports
    • Incentives for athletes with disabilities
    • Support for participation in Paralympics and Special Olympics

Institutional Mechanisms

Central Government

    • Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment – Nodal agency
    • Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)
    • Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities

State Government

    • State Commissioners
    • District-level committees

 Legal Framework Alignment

The Policy aligns with:

Strengths of the Policy

    • Holistic: covers education, health, and employment.
    • Gender-sensitive: addresses the needs of women with disabilities.
    • Rights-based approach.

 Limitations

    • Not legally binding (policy, not Act).
    • Limited enforcement at district levels.
    • Slow implementation of a barrier-free environment.
    • Needed a stronger rights-based framework → eventually led to RPwD Act, 2016.

Conclusion

The National Policy for Persons with Disabilities (2006) is a major milestone in India’s journey towards inclusion.

It set the foundation for rights-based legislation, culminating in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, after India ratified the UNCRPD.

 

 📘 Comparative Chart: PwD Act 1995 vs NPPD 2006 vs UNCRPD 2006 vs RPwD Act 2016




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