During Census,don’t hide if you have any disability,say NGOs

One should not hide his or her disabilities while being questioned for Census 2011,as the drive is meant to help the government plan policies,allocate adequate resources and provide support services for those with disabilities,stated Ashirwad NICPA (North India Cerebral Palsy Association) — a NGO which works with disabled people.

A meeting on the Census was held on Tuesday in the city. Several NGOs from Punjab,CBSE schools,members of the Rotary Club attended the meeting. Presentations were made by Census Punjab Assistant Director Charanjeet Singh and the research officer. Census 2011 will be conducted between February 9-28.

All living in a house,including domestic helps,tenants and guests,will be included in the drive.

Dr Neelam Sodhi of Ashirwad said that this time,there are eight categories in the disability section — vision,hearing,speech,movement,mental retardation,mental illness,multiple disability and any other — autism,epilepsy,learning disability,thalassemia and hemophilia. Movement problems included the absence of limbs,fingers,thumb,hemiplegia,cerebral palsy,leprosy,etc.

With age,many acquire disabilities,therefore,it is important to ask the elderly the same questions one should ask a disabled person,added Sodhi.