The disAbility Act or disAbility Bill has been ratified by the President. The bill protected rights of Persons with disabilities and promises a financial assistance for them. It was ratified after being sent back to the Parliment for the second time.

The bill was first passed by the parliament on 21 December 2009. But it had many clauses which wasn’t agreed by stakeholders and it was not even inline with the UNCRPD(UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) and some NGO’s  with Parents called the disAbility Act to be sent back to Parliament. So, President Nasheed returned the bill for reconsideration, stating that the bill contained articles that contradicted international standards and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Now that the bill has been passed, and the legislature is there to protect Persons with disAbilities; the Government, the people, the community has a role in making our small country an example for others. First, we have to start with the term we use for it. Haveeru states that it is the ‘Special needs bill’ that was ratified. Which is not! It is the disAbility Act isn’t it?

In the news:

• Haveeru, English: http://www.haveeru.com.mv/english/details/31361/Special_needs_bill_ratified
• Haveeru, Dhivehi: http://www.haveeru.com.mv/?page=details&id=98265

The final disAbility Act: Note: There is a file embedded within this post, please visit this post to download the file.

A couple of years back, I shared a post at Yafaau.info on “How to influence local politics” and I’d like to share this with the readers at Yafaau’s blog too.
Very often you wish you could change the way things are without becoming a politician. One of the disadvantages of becoming a politician is that you become a target for the news media. Perfection is expected of politicians. However, as a private citizen, you are given much more leeway by the press. Here are a number of ways you, as a private citizen, can influence local politics.

1. Attend Public Meetings

This is a very simple but very effective way to influence local politics. By being present at meetings, you will know what is going on in your community. What is more important, the politicians will get to where they will recognize you, and be more apt to listen when you voice your opinion…

2. Write Letters

Most local politicians get very few letters. Letters are often reserved for government and party politicians. Because of this, letters are given significant weight when considering issues.

3. Make Phone Calls or SMS messages

This has essentially the same effect as writing letters, except it is more immediate. Even if you do not get to speak directly with the politician, ask the telephone receptionist to take a message and give your opinion in as few words as possible. Better yet, ask for the politician

Photo (C): Haveeru News

President Nasheed, sends back the bill on People with Special Needs or the Disability Act which we have been lobbying not to be ratified due to it’s lack of provisions in health sector and the importance of the bill to be in line with the UNCRPD.

I’d like to congratulate ADD, CARE Society, MDA and those brave parents who took part in the ‘Silent Appeal’ near the President’s Office and thank President Nasheed for sending it back to Parliament so that we, Civil Society Organizations can persuade the MP’s into creating a more collaborative Bill, involving all stakeholders.

Here’s some of the important documents we should get familiar with;

1. Disability act _high lighted__comparison_22 Dec
2. Handbook for Parliamentarians on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The Disability Act has been passed with the recommendations from the Committee for Social Affairs of Majlis.

Stakeholders like CARE and Health Ministry met with this ‘Committee’ to advice on corrections and additions to this bill and I can say, there was almost no corrections into it. In addition, it was passed with a clause to give benefits for the Thalassemia Patients as well!

• MP Riyaz Rasheed submitted a Bill on providing monetary assistance to “People with Special Needs”.
• Later Government submits a bill on Rights for “People with Special Needs”.
• The Committee on Social Affairs makes these two into one and presents it to the Majlis floor.
• MP Abdulla Mausoom adds a clause including Thalassemia Patients in this bill and vote passes in favor of that!
• Disability Act PASSES!

I think People with Special Needs in the constitution is meant in a broader perspective. Meaning Persons with a Disabilities are in it. Thalassemia Patients “may” also be in it. People with Chronic Illnesses such as Cancer Patients and People who has renal failure must be in it. And Diabetic Patients can also be in the “People with Special Needs” category. Pregnant women, People effected by natural disasters… etc. are all who could be in the “Special Needs” category in this context.

The definition of “People with Special Needs” in the Constitution doesn’t have any clause which can include Thalassemia Patients in the Special Needs category! If so, I would like to humbly urge President Nasheed NOT to ratify this bill as it would then conflict with the New Constitution we are so proud of!

So…

DO NOT RATIFY THE DISABILITY ACT! Send it back to Majlis so that we, Civil Society Organizations/Non-Governmental Organizations and other stakeholders can persuade the Parliament into include the corrections into the Disability Act.

You can find the documents that was submitted by the Health Ministry/Bills at MVdisAbilityNet(http://groups.google.com/group/mvdisability) Join and discuss.

This ‘Disability Act’ bill which the Maldivian Parliament passed today contains a lot of clauses which many of the Civil Society Organizations(CSO’s) disagree. The first thing anyone would notice is the terminology used. It’s quite clear that People with Special Needs are not only Persons with a disAbility and i do understand disAbility terminology is a controversial issue everywhere.

Disability Act and the final Report by the Committee(dhivehi) on Social Affairs (Ijuthimaaee Committee) of the