Odisha Disability Conclave 2024 held in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, Dec 2: The Odisha Disability Conclave 2024 was successfully organized by VIEWS at the Odisha Association for the Blind (OAB) in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. The event aimed to unite policymakers, government officials, civil society organizations, and media representatives to discuss effective strategies for implementing disability rights laws and policies in Odisha.

Inaugurated by Sannyashi Behera, Deputy Secretary of the SSEPD Department, the event featured prominent attendees including Kasturi Mohapatra, former State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Sushanta Panda, Additional Secretary of the Cooperation Department; Rajiv Kumar Raul from the Azim Premji Foundation; and Maheswar Rout, President of OAB.

During the welcome address, S. Bheema Rao, Executive Director of VIEWS, stated, “The Odisha Disability Conclave 2024 is a crucial civil society initiative that allows stakeholders to discuss the challenges faced by persons with disabilities and share best practices to empower them. We are pleased to see over 200 participants from across the state here today.”

Sannyashi Behera emphasized the significance of addressing the basic needs of Odisha’s 1,144,902 differently-abled individuals, as reported in the 2011 Census, noting that this number is expected to rise in future counts. He referenced a recent Supreme Court ruling affirming accessibility for disabled persons as a fundamental right, stating, “If this order is not effectively implemented, true accessibility cannot be guaranteed. We must work together to ensure this becomes a reality.”

Sushanta Panda highlighted the necessity for inclusive societal development and stressed the importance of awareness campaigns at various administrative levels.

Kasturi Mohapatra commended the ongoing efforts to uphold the rights of disabled individuals and called for society to fulfill their basic needs, advocating for greater love, acceptance, and respect for persons with disabilities.

The conclave concluded with a strong call to action for creating an inclusive and accessible environment in Odisha for all.