Diethono Nakhro, Zhoi Lohe, Zapuno Sophie and others during
the event on May 15 in Phek.
KOHIMA — The Global Accessible Awareness Day
(GAAD) 2025 was observed on May 15 in Phek district on the theme “Design for
everyone: accessibility is empowerment”. The event was held at Dr. Wethselo T
Memorial Hall, District Hospital Phek.
The event was jointly organised by the Office of the State
Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD), the Department of Social
Welfare, and the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Phek, according to a press
release from the SCPD office.
It highlighted the importance of accessibility and inclusive
design in empowering persons with disabilities and creating equitable
opportunities for all members of society.
Delivering the keynote address, Diethono Nakhro, former
State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, stated that accessibility is
a human right, as clearly outlined in the United Nations Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). India, as a signatory to the
UNCRPD, reinforces this through the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD)
Act.
Nakhro stated that accessibility removes barriers and added
that it is not just about law but about people. She emphasised that
accessibility involves removing barriers and unlocking opportunities for those
who are hindered by them.
She said that disabled people are like everyone else, with
dreams, goals, desires, and plans, and many things they want to try and do.
However, she noted that the difference between disabled and non-disabled people
is that the world is not built for disabled people, which often prevents them
from having the opportunity to pursue what they are capable of.
Speaking on education, she stated that children with
disabilities, like all children, have ambitions and dreams for their future and
need quality education to develop their skills and reach their potential.
However, most children with disabilities are unable to get a proper education
due to inaccessible buildings and classrooms, inaccessible textbooks and
curriculum, and untrained teachers.
Despite many laws and provisions in the country to ensure
education for all, children with disabilities continue to be left out because
our education system is not fully accessible, she said, stressing again that
accessibility is vital.
“Words like ‘inclusive’ and ‘inclusion’ are very fashionable
these days — we hear it in speeches by politicians, leaders, and officials —
but without active effort and action on accessibility, there can be no
inclusion. Groups like persons with disabilities will always be left behind and
forgotten,” she cautioned.
Dwelling on the RPwD Act 2016, which provides protection
against discrimination and promotes equal opportunity and accessibility, she
highlighted that the Act lays down provisions related to education, employment
and livelihood, health, rehabilitation, sports, and social life for persons
with disabilities.
She emphasised that unless accessibility is considered in
its full sense — including physical spaces, mindsets, digital platforms,
communication, services, and policies — inclusion will never be achieved.
Zapuno Sophie, Assistant Commissioner for Persons with
Disabilities, conveyed that access to infrastructure is the first step towards
creating a world of inclusion and that accessibility is empowerment.
Zhoi Lohe, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Phek,
mentioned that this disability awareness programme was the first of its kind in
the district. Throughout the programme, sign language interpretation was
provided by Ruokuokhrienuo Vizotha.
