Cases of discrimination against disabled on rise

HYDERABAD: Colleagues passing inappropriate comments on disabled employees, colleges not upholding disability quota, and compensation not being awarded to disabled persons - these are some of the many complaints landing at the office of the state commissioner for rights of persons with disabilities (PwD). The body, which was set up four years ago, is now seeing a higher-than-usual number of cases, with 48 petitions received for redressal eight months into the current financial year.
"Post the pandemic we have been receiving more petitions from persons with disabilities. While it could be an outcome of general problems faced, awareness that such a commission exists is also a crucial reason," said B Shailaja, director of the department of welfare of disabled and senior citizens.
For instance, one of the crucial judgements and remedies passed by the office of the state commissioner was pertaining to the admission of a hearing-impaired person into an MCom degree at Government College in Bhadrachalam. The student who is a resident of Bhadrachalam was allotted the Government College in Mahboobnagar during counselling. However, owing to her condition she requested to be reallocated to the same college in her native place. The commissioner initiated a quick response on the said issue with the vice-chancellors of Osmania University and Kakatiya University, which allowed her to take up admission to the college of her choice.
The commission has also received petitions on discrimination meted out to disabled persons. In one such case, a superintendent-level official of the endowments department was accused of passing comments and name-calling to a senior assistant about her disabilities. As per details of the case, the petitioner alleged that the officer in question harassed and insulted her owing to her disability.
The commission after hearing the case and issuing summons to both parties over the course of four hearings decided to recommend action to be taken against the superintendent post inquiry by the endowments department and also asked for the superintendent's transfer. The action taken report is awaited from the endowments department.
"We have routinely been receiving petitions about issues regarding admissions under disability quota as well," said the director.