2nd December 2024: The Odisha Disability Conclave 2024 took place in Bhubaneswar on December 1, bringing together over 200 participants to discuss the importance of building an inclusive and accessible environment for persons with disabilities (PwDs). Organized by the Voluntary Integration for Education and Welfare of Society (VIEWS) and the Odisha Association for the Blind (OAB), the event was held ahead of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3.
The conclave provided a platform for policymakers, government officials, civil society organizations, and the media to come together and address key issues surrounding the implementation of disability rights laws and policies in Odisha. Inaugurating the event, Sannyashi Behera, Deputy Secretary of the SSEPD Department, was joined by key figures such as former state commissioner for persons with disabilities Kasturi Mohapatra, Cooperation Department Additional Secretary Sushanta Panda, Azim Premji Foundation’s Rajiv Kumar Raul, and OAB President Maheswar Rout.
VIEWS Executive Director S. Bheema Rao welcomed attendees and highlighted the significance of the conclave, stressing the importance of collaboration to address the challenges faced by PwDs in the state. He expressed gratitude for the strong turnout, noting that the event served as an important step toward creating a more inclusive society.
The discussions focused on making Odisha more accessible and ensuring that persons with disabilities are empowered to lead independent lives. With growing support from various sectors, the conclave marked a positive move toward fostering equal opportunities and improving the quality of life for PwDs in the region.
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