In response to a complaint made by Dr. Satendra Singh, a professor with a 70% locomotor disability, the Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) has served notice to a number of prominent healthcare facilities in Delhi for their failure to provide appropriate infrastructure for individuals with disabilities. The Central Health Education Bureau (CHEB), the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Lady Hardinge Medical College, Safdarjung Hospital, and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital are among the organizations mentioned in the notification.
The September 9 complaint filed by Dr. Singh alleges that these establishments have disregarded the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016, which requires that people with disabilities be treated equally and with dignity, free from discrimination. Important Act sections 40, 44, 45, and 46—which mandate that public places make themselves accessible to people with disabilities—are highlighted in the notice. These regulations address things like designating a Grievance Redressal Officer, notifying an Equal Opportunity Policy, and building accessible infrastructure—all of which need CCPD registration.
Within 15 days of receiving the complaint, the institutions are expected to reply with a description of any steps they took to ensure compliance with the Act. The letter cautions that the CCPD’s court may make an ex-parte decision if no response is received within the allotted time.
Dr. Singh’s worries draw attention to the discrepancy between the letter and the spirit of the law. He brought out the fact that the RPWD Act made accessibility a legal obligation, but important hospitals under the DGHS are still inaccessible to people with disabilities, even after the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released Accessibility Standards for Healthcare in 2022. Additionally, he pointed out that the CHEB and ICMR, organizations that host a number of conferences on assistive technologies, neglect to make sure their facilities are handicapped accessible, keeping out actual stakeholders.
Given that India is getting ready for major international events like the Olympics, Dr. Singh’s concern raises important questions about how the country intends to fulfill its aim of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) while retaining such large accessibility discrepancies.
This problem emphasizes the necessity of enforcing disability rights legislation more strictly and the significance of ensuring that all people have access to public services, especially healthcare. The CCPD’s involvement is a critical step in keeping these organizations legally compliant and holding them responsible for fostering inclusion for people with disabilities.
SOURCE :
HINDUSTAN TIMES
