From accessible infrastructure to employment opportunities, a new hope for persons with disabilities has finally made its way into Bhutan. The government approved the National Policy for Persons with disabilities 2019 in August this year for implementation.
The National Assembly in June this year called for an immediate need for a National Policy for persons living with disabilities. The policy has interventions in education, health and economic security among others. Of the many components, the Gross National Happiness Commission and likewise other related individuals and agencies say that physical accessibility is one of the most important provisions that need immediate attention.
For instance, under the physical accessibility, the provision says that “The RGoB shall ensure that all new public buildings incorporate universal designs and features that make it accessible to all people including Person With Disabilities.” And “The Ministry of Work and Human Settlements and Local Governments shall be responsible for ensuring that all public buildings are accessible to Persons with Disabilities.”
Although ministries and agencies have been doing their bits and pieces in working towards an inclusive society, the policy aims to bring proper coordination.
“What we don’t have is coordinated interventions and programmes because of the lack of policy for persons with disabilities. For now, we wanted to bring in all the agencies who are providing services for persons with disability together. So there is a need, and we also need to have clear direction on how we are approaching the persons with a disability, their issues, their challenges, so there is a need of policy for persons with a disability,” said Tashi Dorji, the Deputy Chief Research Officer at Gross National Happiness Commission.
“The document itself is very comprehensive and quite clear. So now it is the responsibility of the government as a representative of the people and each and every one of us as an individual, I think we all have to work together to make this document work. This document may be perfect but if people who are implementing do not utilize it and work, then perfect document doesn’t become a perfect action,” added Dr Sanga Dorji, the Chairperson for Disabled Persons’ Association of Bhutan.
500 persons with disabilities across 20 dzongkhags were interviewed and the need assessment were conducted.
Samten Dolkar
