Firm up disability laws to ensure rights of disabled people: Delhi High Court Chief Justice

D.N.I.S. News Network – On the occasion of World Disability Day, National Legal Services Authority (N.A.L.S.A.) organised a Seminar on Rights of Persons with Disability to mark National Legal Aid Week for Persons with Disabilities from 3 to 9 December 2005.

Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Justice Markandeya Katju, who was the Chief Guest, said that as the head of the judiciary in the National Capital, he would make all efforts to ensure that justice is done in matters relating to rights of disabled people and told the members of the legal fraternity present at the gathering that the scope of disability law must be broadened so that the basic rights of disabled people can be protected.

Justice Mukul Mudgal, Judge, Delhi High Court and N.A.L.S.A. member, said that effective disability laws could be useful in making disabled people a part of the mainstream so that they can live their lives with dignity and equality.

Justice Madan B. Lokur mooted the idea of extending free legal aid to disabled people to address complaints and cases of denial of rights to this section of society. He stressed that there was an urgent need for creating greater awareness among disabled people, along with greater social recognition of their contributions.

In a special address, Disabled Rights Group Convenor and Executive Director of National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People Javed Abidi recounted his pioneering efforts to get rights of disabled people, as mandated in the Disability Act, by filing Public Interest Litigations. He used this address to raise the issue of greater employment opportunity for disabled people in the private sector.