so I BEVIEW OF LAWS, IMPLEMENTATION OF TREATIES AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS OF HUMAN RIGHTS Commission took particular note of the views ejqjressed by Smt. Anma Roy of Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sanghatan and by Dr Rajeev Dhawan, Director, Public Interest Legal Support and Rehabilitation Centre. In addition, the Commonwealth Hiunan Rights Initiative made a presentation before the Commission giving its views on the Bill. Having studied the matter comprehensively, the Commission proposes to transmit its recommendations to the Union Government. G] Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 4.30 Taking cognisance of media reports that the Government was planning to amend the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995; the Commission sought and obtained from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment a copy of the Draft Bill. After a clause- by-clause examination of the Bill and after consulting experts in the field, the Commission forwarded its suggestions, by way of amendments to the existing legislation, to the Government for its views. These suggestions covered, inter alia, the definition of disability and a disability NGO, the composition of Central and State Coordination Committees, reservation in jobs for persons with mental retardation, better access to facilities for persons with sensory disability and provisions relating to non-discrimination, care and protection. The following were some of the suggestions and observations; • Include persons afflicted with Hemophilia and Thalassemia in the definition of disability; relax attendance rules in educational institutions/courts; provide specialised long-term medical care for such persons. Include a chapter on medical care expenses and ensure, in particular, that this benefit reaches persons afflicted with these medical disabilities. • Express mention be made of Filariasis in the definition oflocomotor disability so that persons affected by this disease could avail of the benefits. • Autism and Multiple Disability should also be expressly named in the Persons with Disabilities Act. NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION