Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Disabled to march Dec 3 to reiterate demands

NEW DELHI - Hundreds of disabled people along with their supporters are expected to take part in a ‘Walk to Freedom’ march in the capital on Dec 3 on the occasion of World Disability Day, to reiterate their demand to right to education, employment opportunities and accessibility to public services.



Organised for the 13th successive year by the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), the walk will be held at the India Gate.

Javed Abidi, honorary director of the NCPEDP, said: “The estimated population of disabled people in the country is 70 million, yet they are an invisible minority since rights like education, employment opportunities and even opportunities in sports, continue to be denied to them.”

“There will also be other functions celebrating the achievements of the disabled community who have fought different challenges to emerge successful,” he added.

The World Disability Day was declared by the United Nations in 1982 and has been marked across the world ever since.