Inclusive Society for- The Differently Abled
India
has around 40 to 80 mn people with some form of disability.
At
least one in 12 households has a member with disability
Illiteracy,
unemployment and poverty among the disabled is high
Children
with disabilities are 5 times more likely to be out of school than average.
Source:
Worldbank
Disability
& Social Stigma
Being
handicapped is the biggest handicap especially in a country like India where
the people with disabilities are treated with great ostracism; lower self
esteem and poorer infrastructure and living conditions. Irrespective of the
fact whether one is born with disability or suffered in due course of life,
they are treated with utmost pity and pseudo sympathies. People’ whole persona
is challenged and their identity is reduced to the disability they are cursed
with. Stigma spreads fast like cancerous disease and sometime becomes
impossible to cure.
A lot of such people, kill themselves in fear of implacable atrocities,
continued ostracism or live a life of extreme suppression under
extreme conditions.
Disability could be in any form, starting
from locomotion or orthopedic to visual/hearing impaired and much
more. It is very debilitating to a person’s body, mind and soul too (I
cried when I heard stories of many poor, handicapped women at Orissa & WB,
who were illegally confined in houses tied with a chain, subjected to cruel
rapes by multiple people).
The person is often seen as disgrace, a dirty patch to glamorous
society and a burden to people around (God
forbid, if you are women.). Families starts disassociating with them, or
they become taboo in their social groups, siblings sometimes sneers at them,
friends move away and employers shy away even if they write- we are equal opportunity
providers in big bold letters in their glamorous corporate brochures.
I have often seen disabled people hanging low on confidence just
because we as a society fail to associate with them. We do not want to marry
our sons/daughters with them, we do not want to call them in our social
functions, we treat them with extreme low level behavior as if they are some
kind of an ugly disease, treating them way inferior and considering not worthy
to live in this world. Why? May I ask? Just cause as perpetrators we fear how
the society treat them or just cause we are blessed with good conditions that
we do not realize the pain they suffer or is it that we do not understand cause
we haven’t undergone the same? There’s a saying in Hindi that says- “ जाके पैर ना पड़ी बिवाई , वह क्या जाने पीर पराई". which roughly translates to- person
who had not suffered the pain themselves would not know the other
person’s suffering. But do we really need to turn the world blind to feel
darkness?
I am sorry if I am sounding harsh in my writings but trust me, people
with disabilities did not chose the disabilities they suffer. It occurs to them
either by birth or accidents (often someone else’ irresponsible behavior than
one’ own). However, disabilities affect the body but not the soul, not heart,
not the person’ zeal for life. People with disabilities have the same
expectation and appreciation of life like the rest of us. Instead of shunning,
mocking, ostracizing them, we must be more inclusive and support them in all
endeavors. By support, I did never mean “pity” but “empathy”, an equal and more
sensitive behavior.
People with disabilities in India are more
subjected to multiple deprivations
We must be sensitive to their needs, their special needs. Alas, in
India we do not have infrastructures that may support them. Our roads, public
utilities, public infrastructures like schools, railways, buses, stations etc
are not very disable friendly, so does our policies of employment and
development. There are quite some grants listed in govt sites but awareness for
the same or availing the same is not as sufficient as it should be. Our educational
institutes do not accept them heartily, our temples make God inaccessible for
them (if they cannot remove shoes, junta doesn't allow them to enter
temple premises. I have been through this). The institution of marriage
boycotts them and parents think it’s best to pair a disable with another
disable only. Above all, the treatment or the life support aids like good
prosthesis etc is another distant dreams for them. In net, we are not an
inclusive society, neither alive to their needs, nor respectful to their
existence.
My 5 points charter as a possible solution to
this problem
In my humble opinion, I suggest the following-
- Preventive care & Major improvement via early intervention- Like Nutritional interventions for mother & child, better road & workplace safety.
- Education for all- High end coordination with ministries of HRD, Social justice and empowerment, the general teacher traioning and rehabilitation needs to be improved and further more customized. Disabled kids and scholars should be encouraged to get educated. This also includes creating awareness about the aids available to disabled people and ensuring “what’s been created” should be “made available” too.
- Creating job opportunities.
- Better Infrastructure to enable & improve access (highly doable)- Designing & building ergonomically inclusive building, roads, footpaths etc.
- Research and Rehabilitation- Arming disabled with better equipments, right medication to lead an almost normal life without much difficulties. This can be further improved by lowering the import duties on artificial prosthesis and providing high end prosthesis at lower cost like USA
Image by: www.numerounity.com |
And above all lots of sensitivity, care and empathy which cannot
be forced but embedded early in our value system. I hope that this
a fair ask. It is less of “ask” but more of a request towards building a better
and healthier society. After all, our kid follows what we teach them, they
learn from us, directly and indirectly.
Handicapped in body, but not in spirit
The sole purpose of writing this
post is to use the I Diya’s, ISB and Indiblogger platform to share the voice
and spread it across, so even if a little sense could be sowed in public minds,
it’s worth the effort.
While a lot of disabled people live in pathetic conditions, some
commits suicide, there are few of them who wants to fight back and sweat out
demanding for an equal existence, bringing the best of their talents to create
meaning for their lives but not without being scathed. These people become
living embodiment of- Handicapped in body but not in spirit.
I salute the spirit of such people and same time salute the
spirits of organizations that work towards such cause to abolish the abhorred
word “charity” or “pity” from such peoples’ life, bringing them up in life,
enabling them to earn livelihood, gain confidence in due process and live a
decent & respectful life.
- Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Samiti- Widely known for its cost free Jaipur Foot. It provides low cost (almost free) artificial limbs, calipers, mobility aids, physiotherapy and others. Pioneered by Dr. Sethi and Dr. Mehta in 1975. This was also mentioned by CK Prahald in his book- The fortune at the bottom of the Pyramid”. Website
- Mouth & Foot painting Artist- A brilliant support organization which contact and work with people who are artiste and lost their hands or legs through accident and who can paint with the brish held in their mouth or between the toes. They also train disable people who wish to learn to paint and support themselves through the sale of their work. The art work includes- Art collections, T shirt, Bags, Calenders, greeting cards, gift tags, book marks, diary, coffee mug etc. If you think what the painting would be like? I have one word- Incredible and if I can use other- beautiful. I have personally taken their cards and book marks and they are lovely. If you have doubt check here- http://www.imfpa.co.in/products.htm. Website
- Mitra Jyothi- One of the biggest gift of the nature is to see. If we can see things, we can improvise a lot on our other disabilities. A visually impaired person loses the ability to see and trust me its very difficult to walk or even sit in dark. Mitra Jyothi is a Bangalore based registered charitable organization working towards the empowerment of people with blindness. They have a variety of training & support programs designed to assist people with visual disabilities. They support their educational needs, helps in finding suitable jobs and making them independent enough to take charge of their lives. Website
In the end, I would like to
reiterate again that a person do not chose the disability by them. Disability is as
dynamic as anything in life. It just happens and it can happen to anybody,
anytime. Life is vulnerable and meant to be lived in high spirit. Handicap people should also be given equal importance in society and off course a special care attending their special needs. Idea is not to feed but teach a man how to fish. A little sensitivity, care and creation of opportunities are call of the times to nurture our society with more love, compassion for others, empowerment and inclusion
“When you focus on someone's disability you'll
overlook their abilities, beauty and uniqueness. Once you learn to accept and
love them for who they are, you subconsciously learn to love yourself
unconditionally.”
***
This post is written for
Indichange (an initiative by Indiblogger) & I-Diya (ISB’s National Social
Venture Competition). For more details visit- http://www.isb.edu/idiya/
Very valid points, Ekta. Your tone isn't harsh but it it is strong and that is what is required to put a point across minds.
ReplyDeleteKudos to this thought provoking post.
Thanks so much Akanksha. In case if you know any such org however small they may be, let me know. We can blog about them and get known across.
DeleteLoved your post Ekta. Valid points and yes, more than anything else, people need to change their attitude and look at the differently abled as just another human being, to whom they must be cordial, if nothing else.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ghata. Sorry for replying late, yup attitudes needs to be changed from excluding to more inclusive.
DeleteI don't think you are Harsh. To the point and Blunt - But then our society needs bluntness at times ! The attitude towards the differently abled must change. The first step could be our government providing a better infrastructure. I remember JNU was one such place that had ramps that could be used by differently abled people. I couldn't climb stairs for a few months due to a back problem and I used to be so frustrated when the lift at work was not working. I can hardly imagine facing issues like this day and and day out !
ReplyDeleteI have been associated with foot and mouth artists and they are doing a wonderful job !
Yup most of the colleges etc are built to suit no one...the stairs are steep and tall and grounds r uneven...Sad state of things unlike US and UK...we adopt their fashion but not substance :(
DeleteVery touchy article.The points you mentioned are valid and should be implemented.
ReplyDeleteTravel India
Thanks Vishal. thanks for stopping by. I am glad you liked it.
DeleteSome how our society is not sensitive to the differently able. A lot needs to be done to make our public places approachable by people on wheelchair.
ReplyDeleteYes and also for old aged ones. They need to some more warmth in their twilight hours.
DeleteSuperb post Ekta... I could relate to it a lot...especially because though I am not technically a disabled person...I do have a physical defect by birth. In the initial years I did have trouble in society...Though my parents supported me all through and now I am just like any other normal person....nope...I am a normal person! :)
ReplyDelete:) Thanks for sharing this Akash! Really salute ur parents. Yes u r above normal :) Take care.
Deleteloved the post
ReplyDeleteThanks!!!
Deleteyes as a society we need to more inclusive and more tolerant.....this is an article straight from your heart i feel......
ReplyDeletehttp://www.myunfinishedlife.com
Kind of Sushmita. We r somehow seem to be losing grip on the great value system some of our ancestors taught us. Inclusive society is a better notion.
DeleteLoved this post Ekta. Great Illustration.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Janika! :)
DeleteYour post brought out very important points. I lied in the UK for sometime and saw how sensitive people are to the needs of the handicapped people. There are special ramps for people who cannot walk at each and every public building. Guide dogs are provided to the people who cannot see and the city council helps people who have some mental illness by providing nurses and caregivers.
ReplyDeleteI wonder when will our country be sensitive to people who face challenges in their lives every day.
I soo much agree with you! I have heard of similar tales from friends & family in USA and UK...Somehow as a country we fail to imbibe the good thing about west and waste our efforts only on fads etc..Waiting when Indian Infrastructure will become more robust and when we will be known for better things than just scams in name of developments.
DeleteThe problem with this nation is that we do not respect life. That will be the first step - To acknowledge that a disabled person is entitled to a happy life as much as everyone else.
ReplyDeleteYup... i agree. Even the well-abled people do not realize the same. They hang behind buses and vehicles, cross roads in midst of traffic and all those stupid acts.
DeleteEven though there are more organisations taking care of differently-abled persons, the society needs more changes regarding their accessibility related issues. indeed a very good post, Ekta.
ReplyDeleteAgree with you.Keep writing!
DeleteThanks for sharing with us that awesome article you have amazing blog.....
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