Proposed amendments to Rehabilitation Council of India Act trigger for concern say disability rights activists – Newz Hook

A statement by the National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled expressing concern over the proposed amendment to the Law of the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) has found support from disability rights activists.

First of all, the step to decriminalize certain crimes in the Disability Rights Act (RPWD) 2016 to improve business. Now comes a proposal to change the Law of the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) with the aim of harmonizing the RCI in line with the RPWD law.

A train from the National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD).

In a statement, the NPRD said it would have been wise to pass an alternative law that takes a holistic approach to the myriad problems rather than making changes in pieces.

No RCI chairman for years

What’s even more obvious is the stated goal of aligning it with the new 2020 education policy. Among other things, it is proposed that the RCI be transformed into a “self-sustaining” body within four years. As a result, budget support for the RCI would be withdrawn, and institutions and professionals seeking registration with the RCI would have to shell out more. – – National platform for the rights of the disabled

The RCI, adopted in 1992, has the main task of regulating and monitoring the training of rehabilitation specialists. It’s been without a chair for years and there have been numerous complaints about how it works.

In November a Newz Hook The report highlighted cases of fraud in the online certification process by rehabilitation professionals. Shortly after the NPRD approved the intervention of the Department for Empowerment of People with Disabilities (DEPwD) when reports surfaced that the RCI had violated the reservations policy required by RPWD law.

All of this, according to the NPRD, calls for legislation that is consistent with the provisions of the UNCRPD and the RPWD law, while maintaining the autonomous nature of the RCI. “It is important to ensure that there is accountability and that the Council is democratic and transparent,” the statement added.

Autonomy is important, say experts

Concerns from educators and experts working in the field.

“The council’s top-down approach of prescribing registrations and regulations for professionals (read dictates) should change to one that is empowering,” he said Seema Lal, co-founder, Together we can, a parenting support group in Kerala. “They should have mechanisms in place to impart skills and knowledge, update the curriculum, and more. RCI should become more decentralized ”.

“Like the Medical Council of India and the Bar Council of India, the RCI should be an autonomous body,” he adds Kavita Sharma, Vice President (North) of the Autism Society of India. “Yes, there is a need for more professionalism, but this should not come at the expense of losing autonomy. The RPWD Act deals with 21 disabilities, which are further broken down into six or seven categories. Ideally, we should have two domain experts from each category in RCI who can look into how the organization works. “

The NPRD has requested that the government hold consultations with all stakeholders. It is planned to work with other disability rights groups and send detailed contributions.

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