Govind Ballabh Pant Social Science Institute National Seminar

Govind Ballabh Pant Social Science Institute National Seminar. ICSSR Sponsored Two Days National Seminar (04-05 December, 2023)

Organized by

Govind Ballabh Pant Social Science Institute

(A Constituent Institute of University of Allahabad)

on

The Past, Present and Future of Disability-Inclusive India: Celebrating 75 Years of India’s Independence

Concept Note and Themes

It is time for us to recommit to realising the expectations and ambitions that the liberation struggle had sparked as India approaches its 75th year of independence. The values of equality and non-discrimination for all of its residents were also among the lofty aspirations that we had placed before ourselves. In their struggle for inclusion and equality, people with disabilities (PwD) encounter various obstacles. As per 2011 census, 2.1% of India’s population, about 2.68 Cr people have disabilities. It’s certainly much higher in 2022, with 13.4 million in 15-19 age group.

The Republican Constitution that we adopted in 1950, to some part, reflected these ambitions. In recent times, “The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995” had come into enforcement on February 7, 1996. It is a significant step which ensures equal opportunities for the people with disabilities and their full participation in the nation building. The legislative intent of this Act is to protect against institutionalized and structural discrimination while simultaneously fostering social inclusion across all domains of public life. In practice, the legislative goals are carried out through the legal framework that seeks to break apart physical barriers and prevent discriminatory attitudes.

India ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities in 2017, which has equality and non-discrimination as its guiding principles. Being a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), India has a legal duty under international law and the constitution to see that the UNCRPD is adhered to in its entirety.

India is the most populous country in the world, with a population of about 1.4 billion people. Since Independence, a broad range of research on the India’s disability movement tracks its progress and impact. Much of the research is inconclusive or conflicting, creating a fragmented evidence base about the legislative and inclusive effectiveness as a social policy. In response, academic researchers and policymakers will be invited to this seminar for an extensive review of the existing disability research and to provide crucial components of inclusive and overall development of people with disabilities.

In India, the main drivers of discrimination against people with disabilities (PwDs) and arguably the largest barriers to disability inclusion are stereotypes, stigma, and bigotry/intolerance. Whether it is physically inaccessible infrastructure, negative societal response, unsubstantial policies, gender discrimination, rigid education system, labour market accessibility issues or systematic ecosystem that obstructs certain people with some disadvantages because of which they are not able to avail all opportunities and face real-life barriers every day.

Discrimination against persons with different abilities occurs often. The harshest stigma and severe social isolation are experienced by those with mental disease or mental impairment. People with disabilities are prevented from participating actively in the family, community, or workforce because of the negative sentiments held by their relatives and frequently by the disabled themselves.

Although prejudice against people with impairments affects both men and women, the latter are particularly disadvantaged. Given that they are exposed to both gender oppression and constraints due to their handicap, women with disabilities experience “double discrimination.”

However, the health sector, particularly in rural India, has not taken significant measures to address disability. Additionally, there are issues with economical access to quality medical care, assistance, and equipment.

The educational system excludes some students. It continues to be difficult to include children with mild to moderate impairments in conventional classrooms. There are several problems, including the lack of special schools, barriers to enrollment, qualified teachers, and a lack of accessible educational resources for the disabled. Additionally, accommodations for people with disabilities haven’t always been honoured at higher education institutions.

Despite the fact that many PwDs are capable of performing useful labour, their employment rates are far lower than those of the general population. Since there are many fewer PwD workers in the private sector, the situation is significantly worse.

Physical accessibility in buildings, transit, and service access, among other things, continue to be very difficult.

Considering the socio-cultural prejudices against people with disabilities, and the inability, rather the refusal, to keep in mind the needs of PWDs, this seminar will go only so far to ensure to acknowledge and address to provide an inclusive society for all.

National experts, researchers, practitioners, consultants, trainers, professionals, youth scholars, and decision-makers are welcome to offer their knowledge, research findings, original concepts, practical solutions, and priceless experience. Attendees will have the chance to network with academics, and potential research partners for future cooperation during the conference. The goal of this seminar is to provide academics, educational specialists, researchers, institution heads, and business executives with a forum for learning about important topics, current trends, and cutting-edge advances in the field of disability movement.

Social movement researchers also fell short in highlighting this element of inclusivity in the context of the Indian liberation fight. How do people in rural and urban society view the idea of inclusivity and equity? Have people with disabilities reached their full economic potential? Why PWD are still living in isolation? Can women’s empowerment especially empowering women with disabilities in India be influenced by adopting beneficial policies? Can innovation and technological change bring new solutions for the development of inclusive societies? Does rural development allows for the improvement of rural communities’ quality of life, especially for PWDs? This Seminar intends to study these and related questions and themes to know and grasp the rarely mentioned concerns, difficulties and emerging trends in relation of disability phenomenon in last 75 years.

Sub themes: Govind Ballabh Pant Social Science Institute National Seminar

We invite theoretical and empirical papers shedding light on the following sub-themes:

  • Pre- and post-independence disability governance perspective;
  • Disability and Indian Knowledge System
  • Disability and Indian Society
  • People with disabilities and their participation in local governance;
  • People with disabilities and rural development;
  • Women empowerment and their representation in political scenario;
  • Students with disabilities and inclusive education;
  • Disability and migration & refugees’ issues;
  • Disability and gender issues;
  • Disability and entrepreneurship;
  • Social Entrepreneurship;
  • COVID-19 and post-pandemic impact on lives of PwDs;
  • Disability and AI;
  • People with disabilities and regional tribes;
  • Disability and skills development concerns;
  • Disability and corporate social responsibility;
  • Disability and assistive technology;
  • People with disabilities and Inclusive employment trends;
  • People with disabilities and Poverty
  • People with disabilities and social inequality;
  • People with disabilities and religion;
  • People with disabilities and caste system challenges;
  • People with disabilities and Health care issues & emerging trends;
  • Disability and social welfare dialogue;
  • Disability and G20 goals;
  • Disability Accessibility;
  • India@75: future inclusive development plans.

Note: The above sub-themes are only indicative. Authors may opt other topics also relevant to the theme of the Seminar.

WHO CAN APPLY? Research Scholars, Students and Professionals

SUBMISSION: Send abstract in 300 words at gbpssidisabilityseminaí[email protected] by 3rd November 2023 (5 pm). Intimation of selected papers: 06th November 2023

Full Paper Submission: 20th November 2023 (5 pm).  

Note: The abstract concerning the identified themes around 300 words and full papers around 4000-5000 words in APA referencing style (7 edition) should reach by the indicated deadline in the email provided below:

For queries contact: Dr. Ambuj Sharma Address to send Abstract/Full Paper: (8007601087) gbpssidisabilityseminaí[email protected]

Registration Link for participants: https://forms.gle/imZ4BvakD4vdusxz5

Organising Committee: Chairman:

Prof. Badri Narayan, Director, Govind Ballabh Pant Social Science Institute

Organising Committee: Chairman:

Prof. Badri Narayan, Director, Govind Ballabh Pant Social Science Institute

Patron:

Prof. G.C. Rath, Dr. Archana Singh,

Dr. Chandraiah Gopani, Dr Samanta Sahu, Dr. Kamei Samson, Dr. Manik Kumar, Dr. Md. Juel Rana, Dr. Subhash Kumar, Dr. Puja Pal.

VENUE: SEMINAR HALL, Govind Ballabh Pant Social Science Institute (A Constituent Institute of the University of Allahabad), Banaras Rd, near Shashtripur Bridge, Colony No. 9, Jhusi, Uttar Pradesh – 211019

Food/Shared Accommodation/TA will be provided to the presenters. Accommodation will be provided to paper presenters only on a sharing basis. KINDLY BOOK TICKETS ONLY IN IRCTC (ONLY 3AC rate will be provided) Nearest train station: Prayagraj Junction (about 12 km from the institute)

Nearest airport: Prayagraj Airport (about 24 km from the institute)