NEW DELHI: On Saturday, President Droupadi Murmu emphasised the importance of making the most of technology to eliminate language-related educational barriers and improve accessibility for children with impairments. On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, she gave out here the National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for 2021 and 2022.
Speaking to the group, the president noted that the UN estimated that there are more than one billion people with disabilities worldwide. It implies that a disability of some kind affects about every eighth individual on earth. The prevalence of people with disabilities in India is about 2%. Therefore, it falls on everyone to make sure that people with disabilities may live independent, respectable lives.
Additionally, she added, “it is our responsibility to make sure kids have a good education, are safe in their residences and in society, have the flexibility to select their job, and have access to equitable employment possibilities.”
The President claimed that in Indian culture and history, a person’s impairment has never been seen as a barrier to learning and greatness.
“It has frequently been observed that divyangjan possess celestial attributes. There are countless instances of our divyang brothers and sisters accomplishing outstanding successes in a variety of disciplines thanks to their unwavering fortitude, talent, and tenacity. They can succeed in any field if given enough chances and the correct conditions “She spoke.
Education, according to her, is essential for empowering everyone, including people with impairments.
In order to remove language-related barriers in education and to make education more accessible to children with impairments, she added, “we should make maximal use of technology.”
She expressed her happiness at learning that NCERT textbooks for grades 1 through 6 had been translated into Indian sign language for deaf youngsters. She argued that the endeavour to integrate hearing-impaired pupils into the regular educational system is crucial. According to the President, the administration is implementing a number of actions to empower divyangjan. She claimed that empowering divyangjan requires instilling self-confidence in them. “Like regular people, people with impairments occasionally possess additional skills and capabilities. It only takes instilling self-confidence in them for them to become independent, “She stated.
She pleaded with all facets of society to inspire the divyangjan to develop independence and advance in life. She asserted that the nation would advance on the path of development more quickly after the divyang people made their effective contribution by integrating into society.
Every year, the National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities are given out by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to recognise outstanding accomplishments and work in support of the empowerment of people with disabilities. The national selection committee took into consideration the applications shortlisted by the screening committees during its meeting on November 2 and selected 25 awardees for the year 2021 and 29 awardees for 2022.
