Tag Archives: NET Education Unit 10

Persons with Disabilities Act 1995

The Persons with Disabilities Act 1995 is an Indian legislation that aims to ensure equal rights and opportunities for persons with disabilities. The Act was enacted to give effect to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which was adopted in 1992.

History of Persons with Disabilities Act 1995

The Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 was made by the Parliament of India. The Act was introduced in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament, in July 1995. It was passed by both houses of Parliament later that year.

This Act was notified by the Government of India on December 7, 1995, and it came into force on February 7, 1996. The Act has been amended several times since then to strengthen its provisions and bring them in line with the evolving needs of persons with disabilities.

  • The Persons with Disabilities Act 1995 defines a person with a disability as someone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
  • The Act provides for various measures for the welfare and empowerment of persons with disabilities. For eg, including education, employment, social security, and accessibility to public places and transport.
  • Under the Act, the government is responsible for ensuring that persons with disabilities have equal opportunities and are not discriminated against. It also provides for the establishment of special courts for the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.
  • Additionally, the Act sets up a National Fund for Persons with Disabilities to support various schemes and programs aimed at their welfare.
  • The Act provides for reservation of 3% of vacancies in government establishments and educational institutions for persons with disabilities. It also prohibits discrimination in recruitment, promotion, and working conditions against persons with disabilities.
  • The Act mandates that all public buildings, transport systems, and information and communication technologies should be made accessible to persons with disabilities.
  • Additionally, the Act provides for a range of social security measures for persons with disabilities, including pensions, insurance, and financial assistance for the purchase of assistive devices and equipment. It also provides for the establishment of special courts and tribunals for the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.

Key Policies and Legislations of Persons with Disabilities Act 1995

The Persons with Disabilities Act 1995 is a comprehensive legislation in India that provides for various policies and provisions for the welfare and empowerment of persons with disabilities. Some of the key policies and legislations under the Act are as follows:

  1. Education: The Act provides for free and compulsory education for children with disabilities up to the age of 18 years. It also mandates the government to provide special schools and vocational training centers for persons with disabilities.
  2. Employment: The Act provides for reservation of 3% of vacancies in government establishments and educational institutions for persons with disabilities. It also prohibits discrimination in recruitment, promotion, and working conditions against persons with disabilities.
  3. Accessibility: The Act mandates that all public buildings, transport systems, and information and communication technologies should be made accessible to persons with disabilities. It also provides for the appointment of accessibility auditors to ensure compliance with accessibility standards.
  4. Social security: The Act provides for a range of social security measures for persons with disabilities, including pensions, insurance, and financial assistance for the purchase of assistive devices and equipment.
  5. Legal protection: The Act provides for the establishment of special courts and tribunals for the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. It also mandates the government to take appropriate measures to prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation of persons with disabilities.

These policies and legislations under the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995 aim to promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of persons with disabilities and ensure their full and equal participation in society.

Also Read : Evolution of NPE

Persons with Disabilities Act (1995)
Persons with Disabilities Act (1995)

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Integrated and Inclusive Education

Integrated and Inclusive Education are different from each other.

Integrated Education

It is a form of education where students from different backgrounds, abilities, and social classes are taught together in the same classroom. The purpose of integrated education is to promote understanding, respect, and appreciation for diversity among students.

  • Integrated education can take different forms, depending on the specific context and goals of the educational system.
  • In some cases, it involves integrating students with disabilities or special needs into mainstream classrooms, allowing them to learn alongside their peers without discrimination.
  • In other cases, it may involve integrating students from different ethnic, cultural, or socio-economic backgrounds, with the aim of breaking down barriers and promoting social cohesion.
  • Integrated education has been shown to have many benefits, including improving academic outcomes for all students, reducing prejudice and discrimination, and promoting social and emotional development.
  • However, it can also be challenging to implement and requires careful planning, support, and resources to ensure that all students have access to high-quality education and support.

Inclusive Education

Inclusive education is an approach to education that aims to provide all students, regardless of their individual differences or special needs, with equal opportunities to learn and participate in the school community.

  • It involves creating a learning environment that is responsive to the needs of all students, including those with disabilities, learning difficulties, or social or emotional challenges.
  • Inclusive education involves a shift away from traditional models of special education, which may involve segregating students with special needs into separate classrooms or schools.
  • Instead, inclusive education seeks to integrate students with diverse needs and abilities into regular classrooms, where they can learn alongside their peers and receive appropriate support to meet their individual needs.
  • Inclusive education can have many benefits, including improving academic outcomes for all students, promoting social and emotional development, and reducing discrimination and prejudice.
  • However, it requires a commitment to collaboration and cooperation among educators, families, and communities, as well as ongoing training and support for teachers to develop the skills and knowledge needed to create a truly inclusive learning environment.
  • Ultimately, inclusive education is about recognizing and valuing the diversity of all learners and creating a learning environment that is accessible, welcoming, and responsive to the needs of every student.

Difference between Integrated and Inclusive Education

Inclusive education and integrated education are two approaches to education that aim to promote diversity and inclusion in the classroom. While there are some similarities between these two approaches, there are also some important differences.

Integrated education involves bringing students from different backgrounds and abilities together in the same classroom. It can involve integrating students with disabilities or special needs into regular classrooms, or it can involve integrating students from different ethnic, cultural, or socio-economic backgrounds. The goal of integrated education is to promote understanding, respect, and appreciation for diversity among students.

Inclusive education, on the other hand, is a broader approach that aims to create a learning environment that is responsive to the needs of all students, regardless of their individual differences or special needs. It involves creating a learning environment that is accessible and welcoming to all students, and that provides appropriate support to meet the diverse needs of every learner.

While integrated education can be a part of inclusive education, inclusive education goes beyond integration to create a truly inclusive learning environment that values and supports the diversity of all learners. Inclusive education also recognizes that some students may require additional support or accommodations to fully participate in the learning environment, and seeks to provide these supports in a way that promotes their full inclusion and participation in the school community.

In summary, while integrated education aims to promote diversity and understanding by bringing students from different backgrounds and abilities together in the same classroom, inclusive education is a broader approach that seeks to create a learning environment that is responsive to the needs of all students and promotes their full inclusion and participation in the school community.

Integrated and Inclusive Education
Integrated and Inclusive Education
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