EQUAL OPPORTUNITY POLICY (RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES)

Background:
The Government has enacted the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (Act). India Habitat Centre believes in providing equal opportunity to all, including differently abled persons with regard to employment in the Institution. The policy outlined below is a step in that direction.

Applicability:
This Policy applies to all departments of the Centre and aims to promote inclusiveness.

Equal Opportunity & Non-discrimination:
The India Habitat Centre shall provide equal opportunity to differently abled persons considered for employment in positions where they could be employed. The India Habitat Centre would also provide them with necessary facilities and amenities to enable them to effectively discharge the duties for which they are employed.

Identification of positions & manner of selection:
The list of posts identified suitable for differently abled person would be identified by the Director in consultation with the respective HODs. The positions that may be identified would be notified on the intranet of the India Habitat Centre as well as to authorities mentioned in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016. The persons being considered for such positions would be notified of the recruitment and selection process as well as other associated rules of employment. The India Habitat Centre will give first preference to candidates who are differently abled for positions that are notified.

Manner of Selection:
India Habitat Centre adopts a transparent selection process based on merit and without bias against disabilities of a prospective candidate. Only candidates with the appropriate disability certificate issued in accordance with the Act by the competent authority will be considered for the identified positions. In case such candidates are not found suitable, or no such candidate is available, India Habitat Centre will recruit candidates without disability in those positions.

Post Recruitment:
India Habitat Centre will provide necessary training to new recruits to enable them to carry out their jobs effectively. The necessity of training, its types and methods shall be determined by the Administration Department and its opinion shall be final. If required, they shall be given preference in transfers and postings to the extent feasible.

Leaves:
Differently abled employees will be governed by the leave rules as applicable at India Habitat Centre. They will also be considered for special leave.

Accessibility:
India Habitat Centre provides suitable infrastructure, subject to practical feasibility, to enable differently abled employees to have access to common facilities including physical environment, transportation, information and communications, including technologies and systems, assistive devices for barrier free accessibility without inconvenience. IHC does not provide residential facilities to its employees. In case a situation arises, and policy is made in this regard, appropriate provisions will be made for Divangjan.

Awareness Campaigns:
India Habitat Centre shall conduct, support and promote at its locations awareness campaigns and sensitization programmes through appropriate means to promote inclusion of differently abled persons.

Liaison Officer:
The Assistant Director Finance, Legal and Coordination of the Institution will be the liaison officer as per provisions of Rule 8(e) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules 2017 published by the Central Government. The Liaison Officer shall be responsible for ensuring adherence to this policy and the law along with the HOD.

Grievance:
Any person having any grievance regarding the content of the policy or its implementation should report the same to the Liaison officer.

Registration:
The policy would be formally registered with the appropriate authority as required under Section 21 of the Act and the relevant rules that have been framed.

Compliance:
The Heads of the respective Departments/Units along with the Director will be responsible for implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 and the rules framed thereunder.

Additional guidelines for persons with disabilities:

1. Any persons with specified disability should apply in Form IV of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2017.
2. The application can be made to the notified competent authority in which the applicant resides. The address should be the same as mentioned in his/her proof of residence.
3. The certificate can also be obtained from the concerned medical authority of a government hospital where the applicant is undergoing treatment in connection with a disability.
4. For people with intellectual disability, application can be made by his/her guardian.
5. The application should be accompanied with:
   • Proof of residence
   • Two recent passport sized photographs
   • Aadhaar number or Aadhaar enrolment number
   • Contact number for communication