Kathmandu, Dec 7

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has come up with policy-level provision as it seeks to ensure easy access of people with disabilities to information network of all bodies.

In a virtual event entitled ‘Accessibility in Nepal: status of promotion and the future course’ jointly organised by the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens, National Federation of Disabled, Nepal and CBM here today on the occasion of 29th International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), ministry joint secretary Anil Kumar Dutta said programmes had been formulated for access of persons with special capabilities and a mobile Aps had been developed accordingly. Preparations are going on to develop new guidelines to make websites and internet facility friendly to such people. Ministry another joint secretary Tekraj Niraula briefed that separate guidelines in regard with state buildings and services were in the implementation and they would be further revised for the comfort of such a section of people.

He added that a taskforce had been formed to prepare a national plan of action for building a disabled-friendly Nepal. Federation chair Mitralal Sharma said the organisation was advocating for disabled –friendly structures and policy and despite some progress, the achievement was a too little. Programme coordinator Bimal Poudel said during a study it was found that people with disabilities have partial access to 12 per cent of public structures in the Kathmandu Valley. There are 150 public structures in the Valley, according to him.