Physically challenged kids shunned by schools

MUMBAI: Karan Shah, 9, and his elder brother Mihir, 10, are confined to wheelchairs due to a rare genetic disorder called spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Their disability hasn’t discouraged the confident boys from aspiring for a career in the army or hoping to secure a management degree from a top B-school.

However, city schools, which are ill-equipped to deal with wheelchair-bound students, are proving to be a hurdle to their dreams. “We have approached over 20 schools in the city. While some didn’t even consider our application, others turned us away saying they did not have infrastructure to support the disabled,” said the boys’ father Sunil Shah, a Shivaji Park resident.

Shah and his wife had approached prominent International Baccalaureate (IB) and Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) board schools in Mahim, Matunga, Peddar Road and Byculla. To their dismay, none of the schools had facilities such as ramp, railings and special toilets needed by wheelchair-bound persons.

Finally, Mihir secured admission in Balmohan Vidya Mandir at Shivaji Park while Karan, who is also dyslexic, was enrolled in a special school, JBCN International School at Lower Parel. “These were the only two schools which were ready to admit my children,” said a troubled Shah.

“Physical disability doesn’t stop a child from being intelligent. We did not see any reason to deny Mihir admission,” said Dr MS Rege, Chief Managing Trustee, Balmohan Vidya Mandir. The school, in fact, rectified its own shortcoming and built a ramp to ensure that Mihir could move around independently.

However, as the children progress to secondary level, Shah finds that even these schools are ill-equipped to deal with them. “Right now, classes for both my sons are held at the ground floor. But they won’t be able to continue this for more than a year,” he said. “Since schools here are ill-equipped, we have no other option than to shift abroad to fulfil our sons dreams,” he added.

The Persons with Disability Act encourages educational institutions to be barrier-free to ensure inclusive education. However, Vandana Lulla, director, Podar International School at Santacruz, said inclusive education is still a distant dream in India. “It is true that not many schools are disabled-friendly. But movies like Taare Zameen Pe have brought this issue into focus and hopefully things will change for the better,” she said.

Lawyer Jamshed Mistry pointed out that parents, whose disabled children have been denied admissions in school, can lodge a complaint with the Commissioner of Disability.

“Denial of admission amounts to discrimination. The Commissioner can take suo motu action against errant schools,” Mistry, who is also a member of the committee for welfare for persons with multiple disabilities, added.

Even though NGOs such as Child Rights and You (CRY) have been campaigning for right to education for the disabled, the situation remains grim. “We are running in the Mumbai Marathon for the cause of inclusive education. We hope to spread awareness and change the apathetic situation,” said Bidisha Fouzdar, spokesperson for CRY.

However, in the meanwhile, Karan and Mihir await an opportunity to live their dreams.