Society sometimes labels them as “abnormal”. But are we all not abnormal in some or the other ways? Are we all not challenged at times? Then, why label the disabled?  In this evolving world we talk repeatedly about equality and justice for all. We talk about rights and responsibilities. We talk about improvement in quality of life. Are we fulfilling our duty towards our fellow citizens who have been born with or acquired some form of disability during their lives? Are we extending the support, love and care which we can provide them? If not help them, then can we at least stop humouring them or increasing their difficulties? ‘Equality’ and ‘Justice for All’ are big words but in reality should form the basic pillars of any society. Disabled people amongst all should be allowed to live their lives with equal dignity and liberty. 

International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a day dedicated towards creating awareness regarding challenges faced by disabled persons in their everyday lives. Every year, it is observed on 3rd December. This day aims to mobilize people to extend support to disabled people and thus create enabling environment around them. This year the theme is, “Sustainable Development: The Promise of Technology.” This theme emphasizes upon the technological advancements that can reduce the barriers for disabled people. Disability can be negated by the use of technology to a great extent. Technology can become the eyes and ears of disabled people and thus improve their lives significantly.

Disability in simpler terms can be defined as a physical or mental condition that impairs the movements, senses or activities of a person. It is not just a health problem. Rather, it is a complex phenomenon reflecting interaction between the human body and its surrounding society. The term disability does not only include physical or mental disabilities, but also encompasses diseases such as Down’s syndrome, Multiple sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, etc. Disabilities may lead to poor health and demand extensive health care needs. Disabled people are found to be more vulnerable to secondary health conditions, co-morbid conditions (in addition to primary health condition) and ageing disorders. However, they have to face various obstacles including limited availability of infrastructural facilities, trained health staff, huge costs of healthcare and indifferent attitudes of general public. 

As per World Health Organisation (WHO), “There are over 1 billion people in this world with some form of disability.” In India alone, there are 26, 810, 557 disabled persons (2.21 percent of Indian population) with about 14.9 million men and 11.8 million women. About 70 percent of these disabled people live in rural areas.  According to Census of India 2011, hearing, sight or mobility related disabilities are the commonest amongst the disabled people.

Types of Disabilities

• Vision Defects : Defects in seeing/sight leading to partial or total blindness
• Hearing Defects
• Speech Defects : Difficulty in speaking
• Locomotor Defects : Difficulty in moving
• Mental Retardation & Mental Illness
• Learning Disabilities: Difficulty in learning. For eg: Dyslexia (difficulty in reading or interpreting  words or letters),
• Dysgraphia (inability to write consistently),Dyscalculia (inability to make arithmetic calculations)
• Multiple Disabilities - Disability affecting multiple organs of body
• Others

Key issues faced by the disabled people:

•   Lack of proper guidelines promoting their welfare - Though the government has come up with National Policy for Persons with Disabilities (2006) and certain programmes under it, there is a lot of scope in its     implementation.
•   Lack of well equipped infrastructure and trained manpower to provide adequate care to the disabled. With changing times, emphasis on disability friendly infrastructure is also increasing.
•   Societal taboos and negative attitude of people towards people with disability.

It is true that adequate provisioning of infrastructural facilities is vital for the disabled people. But the biggest challenge faced by the disabled is the negative attitude of society towards the disabled people. Some people sympathize with them. Some disregard them. Some humour them. But they forget that disabled human beings also have feelings. They, who have been rejected by society in many ways; let us stop making fun of them and start acting responsibly. Let it be fashionable to help the disabled. Support them rather than humouring them.

Extend Your Support!!

• Give the disabled space to use public transport system. Allow them to sit on reserved seats.
• Allow them to use their parking space.
• When you see a blind person crossing a road, help him/her if needed.
• Do not create any hassles in schooling of disabled children. They have an equal right to study in
• regular schools amongst other kids their own age.
• Stop discriminating based on their disability.
• Do not avoid giving jobs to disabled people due to any social taboos.
• Create enabling working environment for the disabled.
• Do not make fun or laugh at disabled.
• Help them build up their self-esteem, become independent and lead normal lives.

Ours is not a disabled friendly society. Come, let us join hands together and provide all the support, love and care to the disabled. Together we can. Together we will.

Every disabled individual is gifted with special skills and interest. Let us move towards
inclusiveness in our society.Every disabled person can be an asset rather than just a responsibility.
It depends upon us to change our perception. Remember, “Every human being is special.”

Disability knows no borders. Know more about disability and its associated aspects at:

www.youtube.com
www.satyamevjayate.in
www.who.int
www.un.org
socialjustice.nic.in
vikaspedia.in

References: www.who.int
www.who.int
www.cbhidghs.nic.in
vikaspedia.in