Government Implementation of the Standard Rules
As Seen By Member Organizations of
Disabled Peoples' International - DPI

Nepal

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© Dimitris Michailakis 1997

National Federation of the Disabled, Nepal
No reply was received from the Government of Nepal.
General policy

The officially recognized disability policy is expressed in law.

Since the adoption of the Rules, the government has not done anything to convey the message of full participation.

Legislation

The rights of persons with disabilities are protected by special legislation and general legislation. The judicial mechanisms adopted to protect the rights of persons with disabilities is due process (legal remedy through courts). Administrative and other non-judicial bodies include a Human Rights Commission.

General legislation applies to persons with different disabilities with respect to access to court of law. No benefits are guaranteed by law to persons with disabilities.

Accessibility

There are no rules to ensure accessibility of the built environment. The only measure promoted by the government in order to facilitate accessibility in the built environment, is the provision of specially adapted motor vehicles. Special transport arrangements include for: railways - concessions for all categories of disabilities, air - only for those with visual impairment and for senior citizens, road - varies from state to state in the Indian Union. The most difficult obstacles, when planning to build accessible environments, are attitudinal factors, lack of legislation and regulations, lack of user participation, lack of co-operation from other organizations/institutions and lack of enforcement mechanism. There is no disability awareness component incorporated in the training of planners, architects and construction engineers.

Sign language for deaf people has no officially recognized status. There are no government measures to encourage media and other forms of public information to make their services accessible for persons with disabilities. No measures are provided in order to facilitate information and communication between persons with disabilities and others.

Organizations of persons with disabilities

There is a national umbrella organization. There are no legal provisions mandating the representatives of persons with disabilities to participate in policy-making or to work with governmental institutions. Disability organizations are sometimes consulted, when laws and regulations with a disability aspect are being prepared. Consultations occur at the national and local level. The government gives financial support to existing or new organizations of persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities participate to a very limited extent in government, legislatures, judiciary, political parties and in NGO's. The role of disabled persons organizations is to advocate rights and improved services, mobilize persons with disabilities, identify needs and priorities, participate in the planning, implementation and evaluation of services and measures concerning the lives of persons with disabilities, contribute to public awareness, provide services and promote/organize income generating activities.

Co-ordination of work

The national co-ordinating committee is reporting to the Ministry of Welfare. The committee includes representatives only from the Ministries. The government does not expect the committee to participate in policy development or to perform other tasks.

In a way yes, the Standard Rules has led to a rethinking of the approach to disability policy.

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