President Pratibha Devisingh Patil has called upon the nation to ensure that persons with disabilities are treated with dignity and respect to make it an inclusive society. Giving away the National Awards for the Empowerment of persons with Disabilities in New Delhi today, the President said that the physical barriers that impede access to various facilities and services including information technology should be removed so that persons with disability can achieve excellence they are capable of. The awards are given every year since 1969 on this day marking the International Day for Persons with disabilities.