Taking note of research findings that show one-third of disabilities in children are preventable if detected early, the new draft National Policy for Persons with Disabilities, which will replace the 2006 policy once approved, calls for developing a network of ‘Cross-Disability Early Intervention Centres’ (CDEICs) in every district of the country, reports Ambika Pandit.
The Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry, India, has invited public feedback till July 9 on the new draft national policy on persons with disabilities.
The draft policy proposes interventions in disability prevention, education, healthcare, social security, and accessibility.
As per Census 2011, about 20.4 lakh children in the age group of 0-9 years have some form of disabilities — either congenital or acquired.
The new policy has been drawn in keeping with the provisions of the Rights of Persons With Disabilities Act 2016 and the vision of the National Education Policy 2020.