Latest news with #PwDs
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Gig workers with disabilities unable to access lounges
Chennai: Greater Chennai Corporation has set up lounges with air conditioning, power outlets and toilets in Anna Nagar and T Nagar for gig workers to relax between orders, but the spaces remain inaccessible to people with disabilities (PwDs). K Sasikumar, a food delivery partner, says being on the road all day on his battery-powered wheelchair is physically exhausting as his app algorithm forces him to travel to faraway locations. "Since I take my wheelchair to faraway locations, using the wheelchair on these roads induces severe body pain. I tried using the lounge once, but there is no way to access it as it's on a pavement with no way to get on it with my wheelchair. Also, the entrance has an extended door frame that hinders the path. It's nice the govt is coming up with such initiatives, but when they build such structures, they should keep us in mind," he said. S Namburajan, vice-president of Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (Taratdac), said the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPwD Act), 2016 in India mandates accessibility across various sectors, including physical infrastructure, transportation, information and communication technology (ICT), and public services. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The Act also states that the govt should ensure all public buildings and spaces that are already constructed be made accessible through modifications. "Despite such an Act in place, policy makers continue to build places that are inaccessible. It needs to be strictly enforced during planning phase." You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai While GCC plans similar lounges in Thiruvanmiyur, Villivakkam, Royapettah, Mylapore, and Nungambakkam, activists say small retrofittings can make a huge difference. Sathish Kumar, an activist, said a ramp should be made that connects the road to the entrance. "There should be a charging space for wheelchairs and the width of the toilet door should be 3 feet. The toilet also should be accessible and be made spacious according to space available. " "We've taken note of the issue and are planning to install a temporary ramp as we work on constructing a permanent one," said GCC commissioner J Kumaragurubaran.
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Chennai Gig Workers Lounge: No Access For Wheelchair Users
A gig workers lounge in Anna Nagar, Chennai Greater Chennai Corporation has set up lounges with air conditioning, power outlets and toilets in Anna Nagar and T Nagar for gig workers to relax between orders, but the spaces remain inaccessible to people with disabilities (PwDs). READ ALSO: Just 7% of gig workers signed up for welfare schemes K Sasikumar, a food delivery partner, says being on the road all day on his battery-powered wheelchair is physically exhausting as his app algorithm forces him to travel to faraway locations. 'Since I take my wheelchair to faraway locations, using the wheelchair on these roads induces severe body pain. I tried using the lounge once, but there is no way to access it as it's on a pavement with no way to get on it with my wheelchair. Also, the entrance has an extended door frame that hinders the path. It's nice the govt is coming up with such initiatives, but when they build such structures, they should keep us in mind,' he said. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai S Namburajan, vice-president of Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (Taratdac), said the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPwD Act), 2016 in India mandates accessibility across various sectors, including physical infrastructure, transportation, information and communication technology (ICT), and public services. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Luxury Awaits at Paras Floret | Paras Sector 59 Gurgaon Paras The Florett Book Now Undo The Act also states that the govt should ensure all public buildings and spaces that are already constructed be made accessible through modifications. 'Despite such an Act in place, policy makers continue to build places that are inaccessible. It needs to be strictly enforced during planning phase.' While GCC plans similar lounges in Thiruvanmiyur, Villivakkam, Royapettah, Mylapore, and Nungambakkam, activists say small retrofittings can make a huge difference. Sathish Kumar, an activist, said a ramp should be made that connects the road to the entrance. 'There should be a charging space for wheelchairs and the width of the toilet door should be 3 feet. The toilet also should be accessible and be made spacious according to space available. ' 'We've taken note of the issue and are planning to install a temporary ramp as we work on constructing a permanent one,' said GCC commissioner J Kumaragurubaran.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Disturbing': SC asks YouTubers who joked about disabled to attend next hearing too
THE SUPREME Court on Tuesday reiterated its call for framing guidelines for social media users, balancing freedom of speech and expression with rights and duties. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said this as it heard a plea by M/s SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) Cure Foundation accusing YouTubers Samay Raina, Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar of cracking insensitive jokes on persons with disabilities (PwDs). Complying with the court's direction during the last hearing, the five appeared before the Bench Tuesday. The Supreme Court gave them two weeks to file a counter-affidavit and directed all except Sonali Thakkar to appear again before the bench on the next date of hearing. Thakkar has been allowed to appear online. 'Respondents number 6-10 are present in court in compliance with our order. Their counsel seeks and is granted two weeks to file counter-affidavit… No further time shall be granted… Respondents 6-8 and 10 shall remain present in person on the next date as well. Any absence shall be viewed seriously. Respondent No.9 (Sonali Thakkar) is permitted to appear online,' the bench said in its order. Justice Kant said, 'Individual misconducts, which are under scrutiny, will continue to be examined. (SMA Cure) Foundation has raised serious issues. Something very disturbing.' The court is also seized of two other petitions by YouTubers Ranveer Allahabadia and Ashish Chanchlani for clubbing of FIRs lodged against them in connection with allegedly objectionable remarks made on 'India's Got Latent' show. In May, the court while hearing Allahabadia's plea to club the FIRs against him had flagged the need to put regulations in place for social media use. It also sought the assistance of Attorney General R Venkataramani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta in the matter. On Tuesday, the Attorney General sought more time to assist the court. He said the question of their enforceability will have to be considered at length. Allowing the request, Justice Kant said, 'We would like to test the guidelines… You have to have guidelines which are in conformity with constitutional principles, comprising both parts — where the limit of that freedom ends, and where duties start… We would like to invite open debate on that… Members of Bar, stakeholders and all so-called stakeholders, all invited.' He sought to stress that Article 21, which deals with the right to life and liberty, would prevail over Article 19, which deals with freedom of speech and expression. 'Right to dignity also emanates from the right which someone else is claiming… Article 19 can't overpower Article 21… Article 21 must prevail if any competition takes place,' said Justice Kant. He also pointed to the need to ensure that the guidelines are not misused. 'What we are doing is for posterity. What we do should not be misused by anyone, you have to ensure that too. There has to be a balance. We have to protect citizens' rights,' Justice Kant remarked. Apology before NCW YouTuber Samay Raina appeared before the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Tuesday and submitted a written apology over remarks deemed disrespectful to women in his show 'India's Got Latent'. The NCW summoned Raina over objectionable content in the programme aired on an online platform. During the hearing before NCW chairperson Vijay Rahatkar, Raina expressed regret for his comments and assured the Commission that he would avoid such statements in the future, according to a statement. He also agreed to create content that upholds the dignity of women and spreads awareness about their rights and respect, the NCW statement said.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Enumeration of Persons with Disabilities begins in nine more zones of Chennai
Mayor R. Priya launched the enumeration of persons with disabilities (PwDs) project under the Tamil Nadu Rights Project in nine zones of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) on Monday at the Ripon Buildings. The project will go on till September end. According to a press release, the enumeration had already been completed in six zones - Tondiarpet, Royapuram, Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar, Kodambakkam, Perungudi, and Sholinganallur. The exercise was now being extended to Thiruvottiyur, Manali, Madhavaram, Ambattur, Anna Nagar, Teynampet, Valasaravakkam, Alandur, and Adyar zones. The enumeration exercise is being carried out by DORCAS Research Centre through household visits to enable access to government schemes, rehabilitation services, treatment, and counselling. Around 70 community facilitators and community rehabilitation workers have been appointed and trained for the task. Using handheld devices, they would first register individuals, followed by recording their service requirements. Commissioner DORCAS Director Aiswarya Rao and State Programme Manager of the Tamil Nadu Rights Project S. Sankar Sahayaraj with GCC officials and elected representatives were present.
India Today
09-07-2025
- General
- India Today
Government mandates Aadhaar for persons with disabilities skill development scheme
The Centre has made it mandatory for beneficiaries under the National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities to either furnish their Aadhaar number or provide proof of having applied for it in order to receive scheme the same time, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment clarified that no eligible child would be denied benefits due to the lack of Aadhaar or authentication a gazette notification, the ministry said Aadhaar authentication is essential for accessing cash benefits under the scheme, including transport allowance, boarding and lodging, conveyance and post-placement support. The National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (NAP-SDP) is a central scheme launched in March 2015 by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD).It aims to provide high-quality vocational training to enhance the skills of persons with disabilities (PwDs), enabling them to gain meaningful employment and become self-reliant. The scheme is part of the larger "Scheme for Implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act" (SIPDA).The notification clarified that if an eligible individual does not have an Aadhaar number, they must apply for children, such application must be made with the consent of a parent or legal Aadhaar is assigned, beneficiaries can establish their identity using specified alternative documents, including birth certificates, school records or legal adoption or guardianship ministry has instructed its implementing agencies to set up Aadhaar enrolment centres at accessible locations or become registrars themselves to facilitate enrolment and updates for persons with cases where biometric Aadhaar authentication fails due to reasons like poor fingerprint or iris quality, alternative methods such as OTP-based authentication, Aadhaar QR code scanning or offline e-KYC verification may be used, the notification raise awareness, the ministry will also undertake a media campaign informing beneficiaries about the Aadhaar requirement.A designated officer will verify submitted enrolment and identity documents through the UIDAI portal and may seek assistance from other government notification comes into effect from the date of its publication in the official gazette -- which is July 2.- EndsMust Watch
