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by Vimukthi Fernando

A commitment towards making this action plan a reality within a year was obtained from the Government, non-governmental organisations and civil society.

This move was the main topic under discussion at the inaugural "National Conference on Disability Rights" hosted by the Human Rights Commission, Sri Lanka concluded at the BMICH on Friday.

Action plans were also drawn up for the implementation of selected activities, under employment, skills development, inclusive education, access to transport and communication, social exclusion and issues of marginalised groups by experts and activists.

While worker education programmes on integration of differently abled persons to the workforce, skills development programmes, vocational training and loan facilities, networking to create awareness on available jobs, job-seeker registration and job placement programmes are to be implemented focusing persons with impairments.

Employers will be made aware of the skills and experience available with job seekers. The National Youth Services Council (NYSC) has taken up the responsibility of conducting camps for differently abled youth, in order to increase career awareness.

Seeking incentives/tax concessions from the Government, for employers who employ disabled persons are also planned to be carried out within one year. The lack of education among differently abled children was discussed at length, ensuring the participation of children with disabilities specially in primary education, early detection of children with disabilities, increasing the number of resource teachers (initially for 500 schools), and monitoring special schools run by State and private sectors are some of the items in the list, to facilitate enhanced educational facilities for children with disabilities.

Facilities are to be improved at the secondary and tertiary levels, such as availing special funds for admitting students with disabilities.

Further, inclusive/special education is being proposed as a mandatory item of the teacher training curricula.

Due recognition for Braille and sign language, accessible public transport and public buildings, accessible services at provisional and teaching hospitals are other measures proposed to improve the lifestyle of differently abled persons.

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