International Day of Persons with Disabilities observed in Shillong

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 3, 2022

The Office of the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Government of Meghalaya in collaboration with the State Resource Centre on Disability Affairs, Shillong on Saturday observed the International Day of Persons with Disabilities at U Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong on the theme “Transformative solution for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world” where the Minister of Social Welfare Kyrmen Shylla attended the programme as the chief guest.

Addressing the gathering, Kyrmen Shylla said that the aim of observing this day every year is to increase the awareness and understanding of disability issues and the benefits to be derive from the integration of people with a disability in every aspect of life. Dwelling on this year’s theme, Shylla urged upon all to come together in finding an innovative solution to build a sensible and equitable world for all. Innovation and technology are the powerful tools for inclusion for they have enhance access to information, education and lifelong learning and it has also opened new avenues for persons with disabilities to participate in the workforce in the society, he added.

The minister emphasized that in view of uplifting, rehabilitating and empowering the persons with disabilities the government has undertake several initiatives and programmes in making the persons with disabilities accessible and inclusive in the society, like the implementation of the Accessible India Campaign. Recently, the state government has enhanced the Chief Ministers Pension scheme, the Unemployment Allowance and the government has also provided the grant in aid to special educators. He said that through the launch of the Meghalaya Signbank App, the state is moving towards an inclusive society and has also bridge the communication gap among the persons with disabilities.

During the programme, the chief guest felicitated people who have rendered their services towards the persons with disabilities and 12 beneficiaries were provided with assistive aids/device and 2 beneficiaries received their UDID cards.