A sports academy for the state's disabled population is being considered by the Kerala government, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced here on Monday. The CM made the noteworthy remark while addressing the disabled people in the state capital as part of his Face-to-Face initiative. The Chief Minister urged the disabled to remove their obstacles, stating that his government is attempting to expand and enhance the interventions for the underprivileged.
Apart from inadequate physical fitness, difficulties in communication, and financial hardship, individuals in the differently-abled community also encounter obstacles in the domains of health, education, work, and transportation, he pointed out.
According to Vijayan, the state administration believes that society as a whole bears responsibility for the equal treatment and overall development of those with disabilities. As such, the government has integrated a variety of techniques and opportunities in this regard to create numerous projects for the section's holistic development.
This vision included creating accessible public areas for people with disabilities, guaranteeing employment and education opportunities, and creating infrastructure that people with physical disabilities can use. With reference to the "Barrier-free Kerala" initiative, he stated that more than 2,000 public buildings in the southern state are now accessible to those with disabilities. He also mentioned that tourism destinations are also becoming barrier-free for the underprivileged.
By September 2023, over 170 government websites were accessible to people with disabilities, and efforts were underway to create more of these kinds of websites. This is according to Vijayan. The state's initiative to provide UID cards to those with disabilities is making headway.
The state administration is considering "Prachodanam," a program that builds the skills and vocational training of mentally challenged people at the block level.
In addition, Vijayan said that the state would establish Integrated Rehabilitation Villages to provide full rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities.
