New law for the rights of persons with disabilities

New Delhi, July 1(ANI): The committee appointed by the Union Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry to draft a new legislation replacing the existing Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, has presented the final draft of the new law.

The new law, "The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2011", was presented to Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik.

The proposed law seeks to repeal the Persons with Disabilities Act of 1995 and to replace it with a comprehensive rights based law in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

The Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 was proposed to be replaced by a new legislation by the ministry in the light of the experience gained in the implementation of the act, developments that have taken place in the disability sector over the years, and also the commitments under the UNCRPD.

A committee under the chairpersonship of Dr. Sudha Kaul, Vice Chairperson, Indian Institute for Cerebral Palsy, Kolkata, and consisting of experts and representatives of stakeholders including Central Ministries, State Governments, civil society organizations and experts, including persons with disabilities, was set up on April 30, 2010, to consider various suggestions and views and to draft a comprehensive law. (ANI)