Persons with Disabilities Need Equal Opportunities, Not Sympathy: Principal Secretary Vayangankar

On the occasion of World Disability Day, a programme was organised in the Directorate auditorium under the chief hospitality of Smt. Sonali Vayangankar, Principal Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. The event highlighted the department’s commitment to the rights, equality, and empowerment of persons with disabilities. Commissioner for person with disabilities, Dr. Ajay Khemariya also attended the event.

Principal Secretary Smt. Vayangankar said that persons with disabilities do not need sympathy or pity; rather, they are entitled to equal opportunities, dignity, and rights. She emphasized that the government aims to ensure that persons with disabilities receive quality education, better skill training, and employment opportunities, enabling them to become economically self-reliant. She further stated that the department is making concrete efforts to make workplaces fully accessible and disability-friendly. In this direction, an important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during the event with the organisation Atypical Advantage for employment rehabilitation. This partnership will help increase job opportunities for persons with disabilities in the private sector, facilitate proper skill mapping and placement, and provide workplaces suited to their abilities.

The event also highlighted the department’s past achievements, including the expansion of digital services for citizens, accessible buildings and procedures, transparent and user-friendly systems, and employment-oriented initiatives.

During the event, two national para-swimmers—Shri Satendra Lohia and Shri Ramvaran, who have participated in international swimming competitions and crossed the English Channel, were presented cheques of ₹5 lakh each.