Budgam : District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Budgam, under the aegis of the Jammu & Kashmir Legal Services Authority (JKLSA), successfully organized Legal Awareness programmes for the Legal Services Unit on Mental Illness and Intellectual Disabilities, Budgam in collaboration with Alasma Educational Institute, Budgam.
The programme was conducted under the supervision of O.P. Bhagat, Chairman, DLSA Budgam, and the active guidance of Nusrat Ali Hakak, Secretary, DLSA Budgam, along with Nelofar, Principal, Alasma Educational Institute, Budgam.
The primary objective of the programme was to highlight the rights of students with mental illness and intellectual disabilities, with a particular focus on promoting inclusive education. It also aimed to sensitize and educate school teachers and students about the legal provisions available for persons with disabilities in educational institutions.
The event also sought to provide free legal counseling to individuals and families facing challenges related to mental health care, guardianship, and disability rights.
Resource persons, Lateef Ahmad Khan (Chief LADC) and Zahoor Ahmad Malik (Assistant LADC) Budgam delivered detailed presentations on the subject and raised awareness among participants.
Awareness campaigns were also conducted in local schools and colleges to sensitize teachers and students about the legal protections available for persons with disabilities.
In their address, resource persons emphasized that students with mental illnesses and intellectual disabilities are entitled to free, compulsory, and inclusive education. This includes admission without discrimination, provision of reasonable accommodations such as modified curricula and additional time, access to essential support services and assistive devices, and the option to choose between regular or special schools, as guaranteed under the Right of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act of India.
They further stressed that to strengthen inclusive education, governments and institutions must ensure teacher training, accessible infrastructure, provision of necessary learning materials, and regular surveys to identify and support children with disabilities.
Teachers and students of Alasma Educational Institute actively participated in the programme and expressed great enthusiasm towards the awareness drive.
The programme witnessed the participation of a large number of teachers, students, and other stakeholders.
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