MP Police Stations to Be Disabled-Friendly; Officers to Learn Braille & Sign Language

The Madhya Pradesh Police is making police stations accessible to persons with disabilities. Training in Braille and sign language is being provided. Ensuring compliance with the Disability Rights Act is being implemented, ensuring that their complaints are heard and their rights are respected. This initiative by the police will provide better services to persons with disabilities and increase sensitivity towards them.

Police personnel in Madhya Pradesh police stations are being trained in Braille and sign language to address complaints with disabilities. To facilitate the filing of complaints by persons with hearing impairments, the assistance of trained signalmen and language interpreters in the police station area will be sought from teachers at special schools or the Disability Service Center of a competent organization. Honorarium, security, and transportation will be provided for this purpose.

Barrier-free ramps/railings and Braille signage are being provided for persons with disabilities in police stations. To provide them with the benefits of communication technology, police station websites are being made accessible, allowing visually impaired persons to file their complaints online without any assistance.

At least one officer or employee in each police station is being trained by an organization or trainer to understand the sign language of persons with hearing impairments. The training program for police officers and employees includes topics such as types of disabilities, sensitive treatment of persons with disabilities, and provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Provision to Include Sections of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act in FIRs
Provision has been made to include sections of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act when registering FIRs for complaints received from persons with disabilities. Video recording of the translator is mandatory, and if the victim is female, a female staff member will be present with the translator, and statements will be taken in a separate room. The state government believes that this initiative will respect the rights of persons with disabilities and prevent any form of abuse against them.

The state government has incorporated sign language into the police training process under the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The objective of this initiative is to ensure that police officers and personnel can easily understand and treat persons with disabilities in distress with sensitivity. The government claims that Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country to take this step in the field of disability welfare.

The Need for This
It is often observed that persons with disabilities who are unable to speak or hear are unable to make their point known to police and administrative officials. As a result, these persons with disabilities are often placed in serious trouble. Police officers' interactions with persons with disabilities often present communication challenges.

This new initiative is equipping police officers with basic sign language knowledge and skills, enabling them to communicate better and ensure their safety. Incorporating this initiative into police training will also enhance police personnel's sensitivity and help create an inclusive and understanding environment for persons with disabilities.