SHILLONG: In view of the nationwide Accessible India Campaign, the CBM India Trust, Bangalore in collaboration with the office of Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Government of Meghalaya and Bethany Society Shillong, organized a training programme on Accessibility and Access Audit at Monfort Centre for Education, Tura on Wednesday.
The aim of the programme was to create awareness as well as to sensitize stakeholders, government officers, and professionals such as engineers, architects, students and others about the campaign.
It may be mentioned that CBM India Trust is an International Development organization working for people with disabilities worldwide. Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, C. Kharkongor, Assistant Director, Social Welfare, Karuna Lamar, Senior Programme Officer, CBM Trust Bangalore, Ms. Nagarathna, State Program Officer, SRC, Civil Hospital Shillong, S K Seal, officials from the department of Social Welfare, Public Works Department (Buildings), Public Health Engineering, students from Regional Institute of Science and Technology, Masters of Social Work were among others present at the programme.
Addressing the inaugural function, C. Kharkongor stated that it is the vision of the Government to have an inclusive society in which equal opportunities and access is provided for the growth and development of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
“With this vision, a nationwide awareness campaign towards achieving universal accessibility for all citizens including PwDs was launched and in this direction, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has conceptualized the Accessible India Campaign or Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan as a nation-wide flagship campaign,” she added.
The campaign targets at enhancing the accessibility of built environment, transport system and information & communication eco-system.
While stressing on the need to bridge the gap between normal person and PwDs she said that even though the society is aware of disabilities, differences persist among people which requires immediate attention to put an end to discrimination and enable them to gain access to equal opportunity and live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life in an inclusive society.
