Establishment, Mandate and Jurisdiction
The Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Goa is a statutory authority established under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act, 2016), with the mandate to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities (PwDs) and oversee the effective implementation of disability-related laws, policies, programmes and schemes across the State of Goa.
The Office became fully operational in January 2022 with the appointment of an independent State Commissioner, marking an important step towards strengthening institutional oversight, accountability and rights-based governance in the disability sector in Goa.
The Office is committed to creating an inclusive, accessible and enabling environment where persons with disabilities can exercise their rights and participate fully and equally in society. In fulfilment of its statutory mandate, the Office works closely with Government Departments, local authorities, institutions, organisations and other stakeholders to promote the effective implementation of the provisions of the RPwD Act, 2016.
Key Areas of Intervention
The Office undertakes a range of initiatives and interventions, including:
- Grievance Redressal: Addressing complaints and grievances relating to the rights and entitlements of persons with disabilities and facilitating appropriate remedial action.
- Accessibility: Promoting accessibility and universal design through accessibility audits, assessments and recommendations for creating barrier-free built environments and public services.
- Awareness and Sensitisation: Conducting awareness, sensitisation and capacity-building programmes to promote understanding of disability rights, inclusion and accessibility.
- Empowerment and Inclusion: Supporting initiatives that promote equal opportunities, participation, independence, dignity and social inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Through these efforts, the Office seeks to strengthen a rights-based, accessible and inclusive ecosystem in Goa, ensuring that persons with disabilities are not only protected from discrimination and barriers but are empowered to participate meaningfully in all spheres of life.