A wide range of activities marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with departments and educational institutions conducting programmes that promoted accessibility, social inclusion, and community participation. From exposure visits on remote beaches to island-wide cultural performances and skill-based activities, the observances highlighted the growing institutional focus on ensuring that children and adults with disabilities are integrated into mainstream opportunities.
In Little Andaman, the Block Project Office under Samagra Shiksha organised a sports and exposure visit for Children with Special Needs as part of its Inclusive Education programme for the academic year 2025-26. Children from multiple schools participated in inclusive sports activities curated to build confidence and encourage interaction. The programme focused on ensuring that children with varied needs could take part comfortably, aiming to create a more enabling learning environment across the education system.
In Diglipur, the Inclusive Education Wing of Samagra Shiksha held an exposure visit to Ramnagar Beach in collaboration with INS Kohassa and the Indian Coast Guard. The event was planned to provide children with sensory experiences and recreational activities outside the classroom. One of the key highlights was the distribution of wheelchairs to five children identified during the Samagra Shiksha assessment camps. The Forest Department installed a temporary eco-friendly ramp, enabling wheelchair users to reach the seawater, an initiative introduced for the first time in the Diglipur Educational Zone. Activities such as coral finding, sand play and tug-of-war engaged the students, and prizes were presented to the winners.
Parallelly, the Composite Regional Centre (CRC), operating under NIEPMD (Divyangjan), DEPwD, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, organised a major Disability Day event at the Megapode Conference Hall. Observing the global theme, “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress,” the programme emphasised the need for systems that support accessibility and equity. The event was attended by parents, children, volunteers and disability advocates, and featured cultural performances, including a patriotic piano recital that drew wide appreciation. CRC highlighted the need for building disability inclusion as a shared social value rather than a compliance-driven requirement.
During the programme, the Administration’s commitment to improving support mechanisms, early detection systems and skill development was reiterated. The role of CRC in offering multiple interventions to equip children with essential abilities for independence was underscored. As part of the celebrations, CRC honoured supporters with mementos and distributed decorative items crafted by trainees with disabilities. More than 100 parents and children participated, contributing to a lively and engaging atmosphere.
Across all districts, the events collectively reflected a larger shift toward creating accessible environments, expanding early intervention, and strengthening community awareness. The initiatives demonstrated the coordination between educational institutions, social welfare bodies, defence units and local departments in fostering opportunities for persons with disabilities. While some programmes focused on recreation and confidence building, others provided essential assistive devices or showcased cultural talent, ensuring that Disability Day observances moved beyond symbolic gestures.
The activities reinforced the message that inclusion must extend into everyday systems, schools, community spaces, beaches and cultural platforms, so that persons with disabilities can participate fully without barriers. The island-wide programmes, powered by collaborations across multiple departments, highlighted a growing recognition that building an inclusive society requires sustained and coordinated efforts.
