The whole disability sector is governed or at least has been dependent on one major disability law and 3 rather auxiliary laws over the past 15 years or more. The major discussion on amendments has been around for a coons age but has really gotten no where with successive ministers hassling with it and creating a lot of heat without much light and then shelving the whole project as the political realities of their office manifest themselves. The sheer volume of work with SC/STs and minorities and general activity which replaces any accomplishments has them hogtied it would appear. witness that the PWD Act was passed in 1996 and they had to take 4-5 years before a commissioner was appointed, before a committee was appointed, before a committee met at all, and in fact the committee msgs are haphazard, erratic and inconsequential for the most part as far as any real benefit on the ground for deaf people at least. if others are benefiting I am thrilled. good show!

The discussion on amendments post election has been a standard practice and this time since here was apparently a body of work already postponed by previous Govts, this Govt. too has jumped on the amendments band wagon. A meeting of Disabled Rights Group in Delhi was convened to look at amendments as well, so we could give some serious inputs and harmonize with the UNCRPD. It became apparent to us soon enough that the amended law would look nothing like the old one and the need for amendments was really the need for a fresh draft of the law.... in effect a new law. This was communicated to the minister in spades by a friend of mine, Javed Abidi, at a personal one on one with the Minister. Appropriate, sympathetic noises were made and it appeared that he too was in favor of the amendments and we all breathed a sigh of relief. Few weeks later he announces that he has resolved to go ahead with amendments at the meeting of all Social Welfare ministers from the states. The disability sector responded with a National Consultation on the feasibility of amendments and the proposal of a new Act PWD Act 2010. This was hailed as a great step forward by one and all and the support for the new law was virtually unanimous. Even the idea of an omnibus legislation for all disabilities was mooted and discussed at length. Though more discussion on this was needed, the need of fresh legislation was 100% through with everyone.

Human Rights Law Network and The Deaf Way Foundation and National Association of the Deaf have been working on a similar project harmonizing Indian laws with the UNCRPD. Not just the disability laws but also the various other laws that are limiting and /or discriminatory. that exercise began in September with identifying resource persons and disability specific groups for the discussions.

Subsequent to the decision by the disabled people orgs at the National Consultation there has been a certain amount of conjecture ranging from curiosity to suspicion to acrimony. This has been directed to me personally though never in person, and to the "sinister means" and end result of our work. I reserve my opinion on the persons who have shared these views. However, primarily this consternation is with regard to where we as a coalition will come out for the new law and our report at the end of the activity will reflect the need and the desire and the disabled people organizations decision to go for a new law. This is perhaps excusable as being natural and such a concern would perhaps be valid considering how important it is for the disability sector to show a united front to the Govt and, regardless of other differences of opinion or method, still rally behind and single common aim. At the same time, as old acquaintances and colleagues, if not friends, a simple sms would have resolved a lot of this unnecessary concern.

Previous blogs of mine on the issue of the NEW ACT - OLD ACT would have put to rest a lot of people's concerns. As it happens the 5 disability discussions are in and all of them by and large have recommended a new Act for disabled persons. The last act in the drama is yet to come and this is a National Consultation on the 6th and 7th of February where the final presentations are being made public for debate and finalizing. Certainly there may be some one who feels differently about something but that cannot in a democratic process affect the decision of a vast majority.

My own personal and official and public view has been that self determination is the right way to proceed and the deaf have decided to support the NEW ACT. The Deaf Way is bound to that decision and nothing that we will do can negate that decision by the larger deaf community.

I do hope that this puts to rest any lingering doubts and I welcome any questions people may have.