Persons with disabilities are valuable human resource: India

United Nations, Sept 3 (PTI) Stating that persons with
disabilities are a valuable human resource, India today told a
UN meet that it was committed to ensure that they not only
enjoy their rights, but also are provided opportunities to
lead their life to their fullest potential.

"We will continue our commitment to ensure that the
persons with disabilities enjoy their rights as well as are
provided with appropriate opportunities to lead their life to
their fullest potential," said Sangita Gairola, the Additional
Secretary in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment,
at the conference of State Parties to the Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities at UN General Assembly.

The unified National Policy for Persons with Disabilities
developed in 2006, she said, recognises that such persons are
valuable human resource for the country and seeks to create an
environment that provides them equal opportunities, protection
of their rights and full participation in society.

It comprehensively spelt out the goals towards full
acknowledgement and exercise of all human rights of persons
with disabilities as well as promotion of a broad commitment
to accessibility, autonomy and equality of opportunity in
different spheres of activities, Gairola said.

"Needless to say, this policy was created due to our
strong belief that persons with disabilities can lead a better
quality of life if they have equal opportunities and effective
access to rehabilitation measures," she said. (MORE) PTI