Latest news with #RightofPersonswithDisabilitiesAct
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Follow guidelines for assessing disability scrupulously: HC
1 2 3 Madurai: Noting that a govt employee had been issued three disability certificates with varying percentages, the Madras high court emphasized that the guidelines issued by the department of empowerment of persons with disabilities under the Union ministry of social justice and empowerment for assessing and evaluating disability must be strictly followed. Justice B Pugalendhi observed that Section 34 of the Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 mandates providing at least 4% reservation in all vacancies in govt establishments. Apart from this employment, the state and central govts are also providing certain other benefits to persons with disabilities, such as financial assistance, special pension schemes, unemployment allowances, concessions on transportation, reservation in education, and incentives for self-employment. "The employment and other benefits are provided to persons suffering from disability to ensure that they are also treated equally with others. If certificates of this nature are issued, then the opportunities/benefits provided to disabled persons would be snatched away by those who are not deserving. Therefore, this issue needs to be addressed by the govt by issuing necessary directions/circulars," the judge observed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The department of empowerment of persons with disabilities has issued guidelines for assessing and evaluating disability percentages, along with procedures for issuing disability certificates. These must be followed strictly. Accordingly, the judge directed the secretary of health and family welfare to circulate these guidelines to all concerned departments and ensure strict compliance. The court was hearing a petition filed by V Mohandass, appointed as a cook under the disabled quota in a govt adi dravidar welfare hostel in Natham, Dindigul district, in 2008. He had 60% disability due to polio. Though he was later posted as an office assistant, this was revoked, and he was reverted to his original position. He sought court intervention for alternative employment and promotion, citing 12 years of service in the feeder cadre. Justice Pugalendhi observed that, under current rules, a cook can be promoted only as a night watchman, then as an office assistant. Since Mohandass was appointed as a cook with 60% disability, he could not demand alternative employment as a right. However, taking into account that he met with an accident while serving and was already given a temporary alternative post, the judge instructed authorities to consider his case sympathetically and provide alternative employment near his native place. The court also noted discrepancies in his disability certificates—60% in 2008, 40% in his current petition, and 51% after a fresh assessment—highlighting a lack of uniformity in issuing such certificates.
Hindustan Times
23-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Delhi HC notice to Swiggy, Zepto on plea to make their apps disabled friendly
NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Wednesday asked the union government and app-based service providers Swiggy and Zepto to respond to a petition that sought directions to make their mobile apps accessible to people with visual disability. A bench of justice Sachin Datta sought responses from union information technology ministry, Swiggy, and Kiranakart Technologies Private Limited, the Indian entity operating Zepto, on a petition filed by non-governmental organisation, Mission Accessibility. The NGO's petition, argued by advocates Sarah and Taha Bin Tasneem, said it had been working to eliminate barriers for persons with disabilities (PwD) and that the apps lacked accessible features, interactive elements and essential product detail crucial for those with visual impairments. The high court has posted the case for hearing on May 28. According to the NGO, the absence of accessible features for PwDs violated the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution's articles 14 (right to equality), 19 (right to fundamental freedoms) and 21 (right to life and liberty). It also negated the provisions of the Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD) that mandates public and private service providers to make their digital platforms fully accessible to persons with disabilities. The petition argued that the search icon on the main page of Swiggy's app was inaccessible, which forces the users to rely solely on voice search. Further, it was pointed out that the absence of regular or voice search in its 'Instamart' section made discovery of the product impossible. 'Adding or adjusting items in the cart is difficult due to unlabeled images and icons, preventing the screen reader from providing necessary descriptions,' the petition said. 'The 'DineOut' section is equally challenging, with numerous unlabeled elements, making navigation cumbersome and offer details unclear. Reserving a table requires excessive scrolling, further complicating usability,' the plea said. The NGO contended that 'Zepto' app also failed to provide accessibility for persons with visual impairments since the search box was completely unresponsive, which forced users to independently find products and even the payment option. This created a significant barrier for completing transactions, it said. 'The app does not respond to screen reading features, rendering navigation and interaction impossible for visually impaired users,' the petition added. Also, the apps fail to display essential product details such as expiry dates, ingredient lists, and other key information, which creates a significant accessibility barrier for persons with visual impairments. It further prevents them from making informed purchasing decisions and exposes them to potential health risks, the NGO said.
