The State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD, today, issued recommendations to the Directorate of Youth Resources and Sports, Nagaland giving it three months’ time to comply and submit Action Taken Report to the SCPD Court.

In a press release issued on September 17, the SCPD informed that a joint Inspection was conducted on September 5 and 17 to survey the building of the Directorate of Youth Resources and Sports, Nagaland, and the Multidisciplinary Sports Stadium, Chümoukedima, Nagaland.

The Inspection was conducted following a Suo Motu Inquiry served by the Court of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD) to the Department of Youth Resources & Sports on February 29, 2024 with regard to implementation of accessibility provisions in all sports facilities and schemes and programmes for the training, promotion and development of sporting talents among persons with disabilities.

“The respondents submitted that the Directorate Office Building is more than 40 years old and carrying out of renovation and retrofitting works would be unsafe. Further, it was informed that a proposal was under process for shifting of the office and gave assurance that once the Government gives its approval, the respondents shall implement accessibility features as per the RPwD Act and Guidelines at the new site,” stated the press release.

In this regard, the Court of the SCPD has, in an Order, issued the following recommendations to the Department:

1. Necessary renovations and retrofitting should be carried out at both the Office Building and the Stadium and all stadiums and sports facilities to make it fully inclusive and barrier free environment.
2. All barriers, such as potted plants near the entrance, ramp and hallways at the Office Building must be relocated so that there is space for better accessibility.
3. An overhead shelter/roof needs to be provided and repair works need to be carried out for surface continuity at existing ramp at the Office Building.
4. The ramp at the main entrance at the Stadium must be constructed in accordance to the standards prescribed under the Harmonised Guidelines.
5. The doorway at the back of the Stadium leading out to the toilet area must be made barrier-free.

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6. The accessible toilet under construction at the Office Building should be completed at the earliest and made available with all necessary fixtures such as grab bars, railings, wash basin, etc.
7. Reserved Parking Spaces for persons with disabilities must be made available at both the Office Building and Stadium with standard measurements so that the entry and exit from vehicles may be carried out with ease and comfort.
8. Accessible signage and way-finding should be made available at strategic locations. Signage should also be provided for evacuation plans and exit routes in case of emergencies in both the Office Building and the Stadium.
9. As stated by the respondents, all Multidisciplinary Sports Stadium bears the same design and concept. Therefore, the respondents must ensure that accessibility standards in all the Stadiums and Offices are upheld.
10. All future constructions of Stadiums and Offices must comply with the latest accessibility facilities as per the Harmonised Guidelines.
11. An Action Plan must be put in place to renovate and retrofit all existing sports facilities, stadiums, and offices with accessibility facilities as per specifications prescribed under the Harmonised Guidelines.
12. The respondents must ensure implementation of the ‘Guidelines for Accessible Sports Complex and Residential Facilities for Sports Persons with Disabilities’ notified by the Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, vide Notification No. 7-6/MYAS/MDSD/2021 dated 13^th October 2022.
13. The respondents must ensure implementation of the revised operational guidelines of Khelo India Scheme (2021-22 to 2025-2026) issued vide No. J-17011/268/2021-MD-SD on 14.12.2022 by the Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, whereby Chapter 6 Section 4 lays down specific guidelines and provisions for ‘Promotion of Sports among Persons with Disabilities’.
14. The respondents must take measures to develop policies and programmes to promote grassroot sports for PwDs to empower and encourage participation in sports and youth activities.
15. It is strongly recommended that a dedicated Cell/Committee be constituted to look after Parasport and Promotion of Sports among Persons with Disabilities.
16. Sensitisation Training/Workshops on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the various guidelines and provisions for PwDs should be conducted regularly for Officers and staff of the department.