SPEAK UP
A conscious effort to include the differently-abled members of society in all aspects of public life is the responsibility of the government and citizens alike.
A conscious effort to include the differently-abled members of society in all aspects of public life is the responsibility of the government and citizens alike. Easy access to education and employment opportunities can make a world of difference, say experts.
Residential centres where they can be trained need to be set up
It is important to include the differently abled in mainstream society, be it schools, colleges or public spaces. Differently-abled people constitute a large portion of our population. To make them independent, the government and corporates must set up residential centres where they can be trained and also given job opportunities. Thus, they can also become productive citizens. Helpers of the Handicapped best exemplifies this.
Big corporate conglomerates must also be disabled-friendly and accommodate these people in their companies. If you make special arrangements for them just once, they can work there throughout their lives. I am paraplegic, but have worked with the central excise department for 22 years.
There are quite a few companies that are taking a serious initiative. However, many more need to become conscious of their social responsibility. It is the duty of society to help make things better for the differently abled.
In fact, I would say that the differently abled have the ability to concentrate better as they cannot move around and do other things. Hence, their output is also better than that of normal people.
However, the problem is that the training facilities, especially in rural areas, are not adequate. Although big cities have training centres, they are not residential. Thus, people living in rural areas cannot benefit from them as they cannot afford to find a place to stay; they also face a problem of mobility. Hence, everything — right from planning to implementation — needs to be changed. Society must realise that they are not different from normal people; they are just differently abled.
Naseema Hurzuk, president, Helpers of the Handicapped
Working boosts their morale and gives them confidence
Our institute has an RJ course that is specially designed for differently-abled people. Every year, we take five students and conduct a special batch for them. This provides them with a great training and working opportunity as RJing does not require eyesight or any kind of physical movement. All they need is a good voice and voice modulation skills that we teach. Their study material is also in Braille.
Many radio stations have started hiring the differently abled if they are good at their work. This goes a long way in boosting their morale, giving them the confidence to face society without any embarrassment.
It is our social responsibility to do our bit for their betterment and empowerment. They have the right o receive all the benefits that a normal person does. We must make a difference in whichever way we can. Corporates must also give serious thought to this and help them conquer their disabilities.
Saurabh Gadgil, vice chairman, Seamless Education Academy
Lack of political will is one of the reasons for this sorry state
The government and bureaucrats are reluctant to implement the Persons With Disabilities Act, 1995, so how can we even think of improving the social environment for the differently abled? Lack of political will is one of the reasons for the sorry state of affairs. The differently abled do not constitute vote banks and have no nuisance value, hence there is no political patronage for them.
There are 1,150 special schools for the differently abled in Maharashtra and around 55 in Pune. However, there is no link between these schools and the regular ones. Bringing special schools and the differently abled into the mainstream is possible if there is interaction at the school level. Right now, there is complete lack of coordination between teachers of regular and special schools.
According to the Act, the differently abled have the right to get the same treatment as other citizens, but no one wants to take up their responsibility. Thus, they face problems while pursuing education and even when they look for jobs. Despite 3% reservation in government and semi-government organisations, there is no initiative from the administration to fill posts. In fact, even special schools do not give first preference to appoint
differently abled teachers.
There is no law to enforce reservation in the private sector, so whatever happens is only on voluntary basis. When the recruitment policies for the welfare of regular employees are not fully implemented, I doubt there will be any mechanism for the differently abled.
A new Persons with Disability Act, 2010, is being drafted and will be placed before parliament. It has a wider spectrum and will include the private sector as well.
Waman Tungar, founder trustee, Jeevandhara Vidyalaya
We must be aware of their need to be part of the mainstream
Whatever we are doing for the differently abled is obviously not enough. Even 60 years after Independence, it is sad that government policies are not reaching target groups because of failure in implementation.
The awareness should be such that everyone shares the responsibility; it must not be limited to the few who are working for the welfare of the differently abled. Even if each one of us keeps aside 5% of our income for social welfare, it can work magic in India.
Many people are doing good work, but it is less compared to the sheer volume of issues there are in India. If everyone does their bit, things will change. The problem here is that people are not concerned about the rights of the differently abled as part of the mainstream. Hence, employing them in offices, admitting them in regular schools and making public places disabled should be actively implemented. The involvement of society is essential.
Economic growth and rise in competition have improved the situation to a certain extent. However, there is a need to introduce character education in schools, so children become aware of social ethics.
Rohit Ratkal, volunteer, Pankhudi NGO
Employers must be sensitive and create opportunities for them
It is not like the government is not doing enough for the differently abled because it is, but the interaction between the government and people who are active in this field is missing. The sorry state of infrastructure in the city makes it all the more difficult for those with disabilities. The footpaths are missing; if they are there, they are broken or encroached by hawkers. The roads have become dangerous for us, so one cannot imagine the plight of the differently abled. Many fear to venture out and prefer staying in the confines of their homes.
Public places and infrastructure must be designed keeping the problems faced by those with disabilities in mind. It is surprising that on the one side we have separated the differently abled from society and on the other, we think of ways to bring them back into the mainstream. Common citizens are unaware of the need of the differently abled to lead normal lives as a part of society. We need to create awareness and people should know that there are different forms of disability. Moreover, varied approaches need to be adopted to find solutions for the problems they face.
Children with disabilities have the right to be included in
regular schools. Employers must create opportunities for the
differently abled in offices. Thus, there is a need to create this awareness in schools and the corporate sector.
It is good to see various malls and shopping complexes implementing disabled-friendly designs for their buildings. The wheelchair facility is available in many of these complexes along with different toilets.
Minetta Patil, manager, Bal Kalyan Sanstha
The problem in India lies in the implementation of law
It is true that there is a need to include the differently abled in mainstream society and create awareness about the difficulties they face, but there is a lack of social and political will. There are special schools for them and a number of IT and multinational companies do employ the differently abled, but a lot still needs to be done. Such developments are limited to cities; the rural areas still suffer neglect. NGOs and social workers in rural areas have to struggle for funds as government policies are not implemented properly. Thus, awareness has to be created among bureaucrats and the government.
Schools like Bal Kalyan Sanstha are doing a lot for the welfare of the differently abled, especially children. Under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, these children have the right to study in regular schools. However, schools claim they have to appoint special teachers for them. Kanyashala, Huzurpaga, Garware High School and Apte Prashala are some schools in the city that have admitted differently abled children and appointed special teachers for them as well.
The problem here lies in the implementation of the law. There may be laws or Acts to safeguard the rights of the differently abled, but when there is a failure in implementation, it is of no use. We talk about better employment policies, education facilities, designs in public spaces for the differently abled. However, there should be special committees to look after the implementation of these plans.
Anuradha Patil, senior lecturer, Karve Institute of Social Sciences
Everything is designed keeping regular masses in mind
There should be no question about the need to include the differently abled in mainstream society. They are a part of our society and we only need to recognise and respect this fact. If they are to be independent and not viewed as a ‘burden’ to those who have to care for them, their rights to that independence should be restored to them first. Access to basic human rights like medical aid, legal aid, education, employment, entertainment and recreation has to be ensured.
Everything is designed, built and created keeping regular masses in mind. What we forget is that not everybody with a disability is necessarily born with it. It can be caused by accidents, old age, pregnancy and so on.
The syllabi, design and architecture in schools and colleges must be inclusive. How many of our educational institutes are designed for students on wheelchairs?
Special education must be a lucrative vocation.
You will find plenty of donors for wheelchairs and crutches without thought for where they will be used considering that we have no proper pavements and ramps. Hearing aids are donated without considering the therapy that must follow. All deaf are taught to speak without taking the level of impairment into account. Sign language is not recognised as an official language in India yet. Pune has no fully trained sign language interpreters or instructors. The blind have better access to education, but when it comes to employment, they hit a dark spot.
The English language must be seen as an important communication tool, not as a foreign invasion into our culture, heritage and mother tongue/s. With the world shrinking and the Internet being used by almost everyone, it is imperative that students with disabilities too are taught English from the lower grades onwards.
Luckily, the differently abled are becoming aware of their rights and duties towards themselves and society. Companies are willing to consider training and employing them on an equal footing. We have a long way to go.
Anita Iyer, founder & managing trustee, EKansh Trust
Our goal should be to empower them, not make them dependent
The differently abled must certainly be made a part of conventional society. It would be advantageous not only for them but for us, the so-called normal people as well.
Many of us have been working towards the betterment of the differently abled, but to let them live completely on charity is also wrong. Our goal should be to empower them and not make them dependent on others. The problem is that our society is sceptical of their abilities. It is our duty to train them. Like anyone else, they may make mistakes initially, but once they gain the confidence they would become independent.
However, the training should start right from the roots. A majority of the differently abled, particularly in rural areas, do not get an opportunity to go to school. It is relatively easy for those who can afford schooling and have the support of their families. But what about the ones who have no support at all? It is our duty to see that they are given proper training. We must, therefore, give them a chance to prove themselves and turn their weaknesses into strengths.
Meera Badve, founder director, Niwant Andh Mukta Vikasalay
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