SWABHIMAN LEGAL CELL is a
wing of SWABHIMAN to stop
discrimination and promote
equality of opportunity for
disabled people. Disabled people
face massive discrimination and
exclusion. For example, if they
are of working age, they are
twice as likely as non-disabled
people to be out of work and
disabled people are twice as
likely to have no
qualifications.
We have set ourselves the goal
of ‘a society where all disabled
people can participate fully as
equal citizens.’
WHY WAS IT NEEDED
Under the PWD Act 1995, legal
rights for disabled people are
already in force. These cover
employment, access to services,
education, transport and
housing. But changes in attitude
and awareness are just as
crucial. Despite the exiting
law, many disabled people find
it hard to take part in
day-to-day life and do not have
the same chances that others
take for granted. We are here to
put that right.
WHERE WE INTERVENE – IN CASES OF
Physical abuse
- the use of physical force that may
result in bodily injury, physical
pain, or impairment.
Sexual abuse –
in non-consensual sexual contact, of
any kind, with an disabled person
Emotional abuse –
in the
infliction of anguish, pain or
distress through verbal or
non-verbal acts.
Barriers To Access
– For
ensuring barrier free access
Non-Provision Of
Social Security –
In ensuring
government’s provision of social
security benefits.
Educational/Employment and
Professional Discrimination –
in cases of
apathy, discrimination, demotion,
lack of facilities, improper working
atmosphere and attitudinal prejudice
against a student or employee with
disability.
Financial/Material
exploitation –
in the illegal or
improper use of a disabled adults
funds, property, or assets.
Neglect
– in the refusal or failure to
fulfill any part of a person's
obligations or duties to a disabled
person whether it is the government
or corporate or civil society.
Physical Neglect
– in the
desertion of a disabled person, by
an individual who has physical
custody of the disabled person or by
a person who has assumed
responsibility for providing care to
the disabled person.
WHAT WE PROVIDE
Give
advice and information to disabled
people, government, NGO’s, employers
and service providers.
Help
solve problem – making an effort to
solve it at the departmental or
Disability Commission level without
going to the courts.
Support legal cases, which cannot be
solved without the intervention of
the courts.
Campaign to strengthen the law – use
of legal training and street plays
as tools.
Focused training to disability
sector service providers on
disability laws – like doctors,
therapists, advocates, police etc.
Organise campaigns - to change
policy, practice and awareness
Produces policy statements and
research on disability issues; and
publications on rights and good
practice for disabled people,
employers and service providers.
SET UP
IN COLLABORATION WITH : NCPEDP, NEW
DELHI & ALL INDIA YOUNG LAWYER’S
FORUM, BHUBANESWAR |
