Introduction:
The Sindh Persons with Disability
Empowerment Act 2018 is a landmark legislation for the rights of persons with
disabilities in the province of Sindh, Pakistan. It is a comprehensive law that
has been enacted to recognize and protect the rights of persons with
disabilities and to promote their integration and participation in society.
Objectives:
The objectives of the Act are to:
1. Recognize and protect the rights
of persons with disabilities in Sindh.
2. Promote the integration and
participation of persons with disabilities in society.
3. Provide equal access to
education, health, employment, and other services.
4. Ensure a barrier-free environment
for persons with disabilities.
5. Provide financial and other forms
of assistance to persons with disabilities.
6. Promote research and awareness
about disabilities.
7. Ensure the effective
implementation of the rights of persons with disabilities.
Key
Provisions:
Recognition
of the rights of persons with disabilities:
The Act recognizes the rights of persons with disabilities to live in dignity
and to enjoy their rights and freedoms on an equal basis with other persons. It
also recognizes the right of persons with disabilities to participate fully in
the social, economic, cultural and political life of the province.
Protection
of persons with disabilities: The Act provides for the
protection of persons with disabilities from all forms of discrimination,
exploitation, and abuse or neglect.
Accessibility: The act provides that all public and private organizations must
provide reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities and have a
disability inclusion policy in place, while public buildings, transportation
facilities, and other infrastructure related to the general public must be
designed and constructed to be accessible to persons with disabilities with no
one denied access to any public facility or service because of his/her
disability. To ensure this, an Accessibility Commission has been established
under the Act.
Education: The Act provides for the provision of inclusive education
and training opportunities for persons with disabilities. It also provides for
the provision of special education and training opportunities for persons with
disabilities, as well as other support services.
Employment:
All government and private institutions, corporations and
organizations must reserve at least 5% of their total job vacancies for persons
with disabilities. The Act provides that private institutions and employers
must provide reasonable accommodations and other facilities to persons with
disabilities to facilitate their equal access to the workplace. The government
shall provide appropriate training and capacity building to persons with
disabilities to enable them to have access to education and employment.
Social
security: The Act provides for the provision
of social security benefits for persons with disabilities, including pensions,
health care, vocational training and other special services.
Access
to health services: The Act provides for the provision
of health services, including physical and mental health services, for persons
with disabilities.
Access
to justice: The Act provides for the
establishment of a Disability Rights Commission to ensure that persons with
disabilities have access to justice. It also provides for the establishment of
a Legal Aid Centre to provide legal advice and assistance to persons with
disabilities.
Access
to information and communication: The Act
provides for the provision of access to information and communication services,
including access to the Internet, for persons with disabilities.
Access
to recreation and leisure: The Act provides for the provision
of access to recreational and leisure activities for persons with disabilities.
Access
to public services: The Act provides for the provision
of access to public services, including public transportation and other public
services, for persons with disabilities.
Monitoring:
The Act provides for the establishment of a Sindh
Disabilities Commission which will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating
the implementation of the Act. It also provides for the establishment of a
Disability Fund, which will be used to provide financial assistance to persons
with disabilities, and the establishment of a Provincial Disabilities Advisory
Council, which will advise the Government on matters relating to persons with
disabilities.
Penalties: The Act also provides for penalties and punishments for
individuals or organizations who violate the rights of persons with
disabilities as provided by the Act. Penalties may include fines, imprisonment,
and community service. The Act also provides for a complaint’s mechanism, so
that persons with disabilities may file complaints against those who violate
their rights.
Overall, the Sindh Empowerment of
‘Persons with Disabilities’ Act 2018 provides an important legal framework to
ensure that persons with disabilities in Sindh can enjoy their rights and
freedoms on an equal basis with other persons. The Act also ensures that
organizations that work for persons with disabilities in Sindh are able to
provide the necessary support and protection to persons with disabilities.
