New priority access card for disabled persons announced

Colombo, June 30 (Daily Mirror) - The National Council for Persons with Disabilities has decided to introduce a special identification card to provide priority services for persons with disabilities at government institutions.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities held this morning (30) at the Ministry Auditorium under the chairmanship of the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, Dr. Upali Pannila.

According to the decision, a pilot project for the issuance of the special card will be implemented through the Kaduwela Divisional Secretariat. The Council also agreed to issue the proposed classification system for disabilities as an official circular.

In addition, the Council decided to publish, in collaboration with the Department of Official Languages, a glossary of terminology to be used when referring to persons with disabilities.

The Council further agreed to prepare and finalize evaluation criteria for individuals and institutions providing services to persons with disabilities.

The meeting was attended by Secretary to the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment and Secretary of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, Sampath Mantrinayake, Additional Secretary Naithi Piyasena, Director of Social Services Darshani Karunaratne, Director of the National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities Jayamali Wickramaarachchi, and members of the General Council.