Programme :
Achievements and Challenges regarding
Implementation of Biwako Millennium Framework in Sri Lanka
Cyril Siriwardane
Member National Council for Persons with Disabilities
President, Disability Organisations Joint Front
Legislation:
The Constitution of Sri Lanka, Article 12 states that, “All persons are
equal before the law and are entitled to the equal protection of the law”.
The parliament of Sri Lanka enacted the Act No. 28 of 1996 for the
Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Act established
the National Council for Persons with Disabilities and made provision for
the establishment of a National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities to
assist the Council in the discharge of its duties. The council consist of 21
members and 11 members are representatives of persons with disabilities.
Minister of Social Welfare is the chairperson ex officio. A rights based
National Policy on Disability was adopted by the cabinet of Ministers in
2003. The drafting committee of the Policy included Persons with
Disabilities representing all categories of disability. The Policy on
Disability provides persons with disability with the conditions for them to
exercise their rights and responsibilities, guarantee for them an equitable
share of available resources and inclusion into the socio-economic
mainstream. In 2004 a committee of lawyers including a lawyer with a
disability was appointed to draft Disability Rights Bill in order to legally
implement the National Policy on Disability. The bill awaits enactment by
parliament.
Sri Lanka is a one of the countries who signed the UN Convention on
Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on the first day
itself.
Progress and Action in the Priority Areas:
A. Self-help organisations of persons with disabilities and related
family and parent associations:
Target 1:
The National Council on Disability encourages and supports the formation and
development of self-help organisations (SHO) of persons with disabilities.
International NGO’s who support disability related work are Handicap
International, CBM, LCI, SHIA Sweden, Cambodia Trust, SSI, Motivation UK,
Practical Action and JGO UK. In 2001 “Disability Organisations Joint Front”
(DOJF), an umbrella organisation of disabled peoples organisations was
formed. At present 22 organisations representing all categories of
disability are members. Parents organisations representing children with
intellectual disabilities and hearing impairment are also members of DOJF.
Target 2:
Disabled people are hardly included in the decision making process by the
government and organisations in planning and implementing programmes
affecting their lives. The Ministry of Social Welfare through the National
Council always include People with disabilities in their work concerning
disabled people.
B. Women with disabilities
Target 3:
Women with Disabilities are not discriminated and have equal rights legally.
Unfortunately girls with disabilities are over protected by the parents due
fear of sexual harasment etc. and thereby excluded from social activities.
Target 4:
Women with Disabilities have equal rights in National SHO but their
participation in activities are restricted due to family attitudes and
protectionism. At present two national level women’s organisations have been
formed by women with disabilities.
Target 5:
Inclusion of women with disabilities in the membership of national
mainstream women’s associations is very poor. In August 2007 DOJF organised
a meeting of representatives from women’s association with the Minister of
Women’s affairs as the chief guest in order encourage them to include
disabled women in their membership.
C. Early detection, early intervention and education
Target 6:
Attending school is compulsory for all children including disabled children
between the ages of 5 and 14 years. Due to inaccessible school buildings and
transport combined with poverty of parents prevents most children with a
disability attending school thus depriving them of education. Restrictions
in the use of sign language affects education of deaf children.
Target 7: To be achieved in 2010.
Target 8 and 9:
Community based rehabilitation programmes are implemented by the government
and NGO’s. Ministry of Health have family health workers covering the
island. These services provide early detection and interventions and also
training of family members of persons with a disability.
D. Training and employment, including self-employment
Target 10:
ILO Convention No. 159 has not yet been ratified by the government in spite
of many requests from the DPO”s.
Target 11:
The Dept of Social Services is the state body responsible for providing
vocational training to people who have a disability. Services are provided
in 6 Centres run directly by the government. A further 11 are run by NGO's
and are registered by the department. The courses offered are often not
market driven resulting in skills mismatch between training given and
employment opportunities. Arrangements are being made to include persons
with disabilities in the mainstream vocational training institutes by
improving accessibility. Job placement services are being provided by NGO’s
such as Motivation in collaboration with Employers Federation of Sri Lanka.
Job fairs are held annually for persons with a disability who follows Job
Seeking Skills Training conducted using ILO guidelines.
Target 12:
At present reliable data is not available on employment and self employment
rates of disabled persons. Ministry of Social Welfare in collaboration with
Department of Census and Statistics is planning to collect statistics of
persons with disabilities within the next two years. Disability will be
included in the National population census which be held in 2011.
E. Access to built environments and public transport
Target 13:
Regulations on accessibility have been enacted by the parliament in March
2007. Ministry of Social Welfare published a planning and design guide for
accessible built environment in 2002. As per new regulations all new
constructions, renovations, modifications of public buildings and transport
have to confirm to accessibility guidelines. All existing public buildings
have to be made accessible within three years.
Target 14:
At present accessible public transport systems are not available.
Organisations of the disabled are demanding accessible public transport but
it is a slow process due to costs involved.
Target 15: To be implemented by the funding agencies
F. Access to information and communications, including information,
communication and assistive technologies
Target 16:
Access to internet and other related IT services are increasingly becoming
available to disabled people. Organisations of the Blind are obtaining
facilities to access internet using speech software and also provide
training to blind people in the use the software.
Target 17:
To be implemented by international organisations responsible for ICT.
Target 18:
At present there are no national ICT policy for inclusion of people with
disabilities. The Telecommunication Regulation Authority the controlling
body for ICT will be requested to include accessibility for disabled people
in their policies.
Target 19:
The Central Federation of the Deaf in Sri Lanka has developed a standard
sign language. All hearing impaired people are not conversant in sign
language. Finger Braille and tactile sign language are yet to be developed.
Target 20:
Very few sign language interpreters are available which restrict
participation of deaf people in many activities. Proper training system for
sign language interpreters, Braille transcribers and finger Braille
interpreters is non existent. Few human readers are working on a voluntary
basis to produce talking books. Use of DAISY system is expanding with the
training given by APCD.
G. Poverty alleviation through capacity-building, social security and
sustainable livelihood programmes
Target 21:
Accurate figures of income and consumption rates of persons with
disabilities are not available at present. Government and NGO’s are taking
steps to provide better education and vocational training thereby increasing
opportunities for employment which should increase the income levels.
Conclusion:
The Ministry of Social Welfare Provides many services to persons with
disabilities. Housing grants are given for construction or modification of
houses. Self employment grants are given to start income generating
projects. Assistive devices such as wheelchairs, crutches, tricycles,
prostheses etc. are given free to those who cannot afford them.
Ministry of Health provides free health care. Disabled Peoples
Organisations are also developing their capacity through training and
increasing advocacy work. Action will be taken by the government and other
stakeholders to achieve the goals set by BMF by 2012.
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