Bhubaneswar: Swabhiman, in partnership with the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), New Delhi, and supported by Emphasis F1 Foundation, hosted the Eastern Regional Consultation 2025. This event aimed to tackle the challenges faced by Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and identify innovative solutions for inclusive growth and development.
The Eastern Regional Consultation 2025 convened a diverse gathering of policymakers, disability rights activists, and experts from Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, and beyond, representing various disability groups. Together, they deliberated on pressing concerns and mapped out strategies to empower Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and foster inclusive development.
The consultation featured panel discussions on access to justice, inclusive education, accessibility, political participation, and healthcare.
During the session on Legal Justice, speakers Bratai Harichandan, Sanyashi Behera, Dr Tanvi Shams, and Devarnav Sharma highlighted the legal barriers faced by PwDs.
Key recommendations included appointing counsellors at police stations, deploying sign language experts in courts, and ensuring equitable legal support.
The session on Inclusive Education featured experts Ranjit Mohapatra, Ashok Mohapatra, and Ajit Kumar, who underscored challenges in adapting curricula due to a lack of teacher training and resources. Peer-based learning was showcased as an effective model. The panel called for reasonable accommodations in mainstream schools, increased funding for special educators, and clear policy guidelines to enhance inclusive education.
The discussion on Accessibility & Infrastructure, chaired by Rajive Raturi, with panellists Arvind Sharma and Mihir Mohanty, reviewed the Sugamya Bharat Campaign (2015) and the Supreme Court’s 2019 directive reinforcing accessibility as a fundamental right.
Experts emphasized the need for improved urban transport facilities and an independent monitoring body to oversee accessibility at the grassroots level.
In the session on Political Participation, panellists Akshay Jain, Ishwar Chatha, Dr Sunil, and Bihar Viklang Manch highlighted the underrepresentation of PwDs in governance.
Recommendations included reserving seats in government bodies, tracking disability commitments in political manifestos, and adding PwD status to Form 26 (Election Nomination Form). The discussion emphasized mobilizing PwDs as a recognized vote bank to strengthen political engagement.
The session on Healthcare & Insurance focused on the ‘Ayushman ForAll’ campaign, advocating for the inclusion of PwDs in Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) without restrictive income or age criteria. Experts raised concerns about high insurance premiums, pre-existing condition exclusions, and limited awareness of disability-specific healthcare needs. Recommendations included expanding employment opportunities, improving access to justice, and involving PwDs in shaping the New Education Policy (NEP).
The Eastern Regional Consultation 2025 reaffirmed the urgent need for systemic reforms to ensure the full and equitable inclusion of PwDs in all spheres of life.
