OPEN LETTER TO ALL POLITICIANS OF INDIA

We are writing to you today to ask that you look into the provisions and the implementation of the 11^th Five Year Plan vis a vis the disabled people of India. We were so pleased when the Planning Commission took a participatory approach to the creation of a special section of the 11^th Five Year Plan for the disabled of India. The hopes and aspirations of India moving forward towards a disabled friendly state were further reinforced by the ratification of the UN convention on Rights of People with Disability in 2007. These were wonderful steps forward into an inclusive and caring society. We were so happy that the Planning Commission, Cabinet, the Parliament and the PM passed the 11^th Five Plan with a chapter on Disability issues for the first time since Independence. It was a dream come true. (A copy of papers is enclosed). Our joy turned to ashes when the Plan received no mention in the budget 2008. Another demonstration in December 2008 led to senior Planning Commission members visiting the demonstrators and assuring us of their support.

THERE IS STILL NO ACTION!!!!! NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE!!!

The dream has turned to nightmare as we see progressive budgets not reflecting the stated policy of the Govt. the budget of 2008 had no provision for disabled people in line with the 11^th Five Year Plan provisions. When disabled people made a representation to the Planning Commission we were told it was too early to expect anything. We repeated the representation process with the current Finance Minister before the budget was made and met with no reaction. The 1,00,000 Crore Budget itself was a betrayal, with no reference to the critical policies and interventions laid out in the 11^th Five Year Plan with regard to deaf people. The Finance Minster when met after the budget was released has yet given no indication of any provisions to be added.

We have no high schools, no colleges, no interpreters, no access to TV, no access to Govt services, (health care, police, and fire ambulance), not even implementation of past policies regarding reservation of 1% of Govt/PSU jobs. And what is worse, we have no champion in the political arena.

We are the victims of an uncaring system that does not take us in to account. We are as good as non existent. There is not so much as a single Govt order that has initiated anything for the deaf since the inception of the 11^th Five Year Plan. How can this continue? If stated Govt policy is disregarded in this callous unfeeling manner and policies that will bring relief to millions are not implemented then what have we to live and hope for?