DISABLED PEOPLE

India is the largest democratic country in the world and is on its way to become a key player in the global scenario. It is our responsibility to ensure that this developmental cycle touches all the citizens of this country – the able and, especially, the disabled, who are often referred to as the invisible minority. But before we stamp them as a minority, let us consider the recent census reports. According to the 2001 census the government figure for the physically handicapped was 2.1% of the entire population. A reserved guess would place that figure between seven to ten crores.

Governments around the world are taking appropriate measures to meet the requirements of disabled individuals, however, still in some countries disabled people are deprived of such adequate facilities.

The National Policy identifies the Persons With Disabilities (PWD) as necessary and valuable assets of this country and the basic goal is to create an atmosphere for them in conjunction with the basic constitutional rights i.e. equality, freedom, justice and dignity. This will also guarantee equal opportunities for the PWD thereby ensuring the protection of their rights and enabling their full participation in the society.

The primary objectives of the National Policy are:

1. Physical rehabilitation which includes medical treatment, counseling, providing aids and appliances.

2. Educational Rehabilitation which offers vocational and on-hand training.

3. Economic Rehabilitation ensures a better and dignified life in society.

India implemented the CRPD (Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) act in 2008.The Government has envisaged a number of schemes to promote the standard of life of the PWD in general.

Some of these schemes are:

1. Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/ Appliances (ADIP) involving physical rehabilitation of the PWD by providing them with aids and appliances

2. Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) a multi-faceted scheme that addresses all the possible aspects of rehabilitation.

 

 

3. Scheme for Implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act aimed at providing funds for projects involving construction of public buildings, support the regional institutions that provide service to the PWD and create awareness.

There are several possible steps that can be taken by the people for the betterment of persons with special needs.

Firstly,All infrastructures should be built by keeping in mind the special needs of disabled persons. In all buildings there must be appropriate basic facilities such as accessible washrooms, reserved parking lanes, specific elevators etc.

Secondly,in order to meet the requirements of handicapped people, the public transport system can be improved. For example, in my city all buses have seats reserved for disabled people.

In addition to this, financial demands of disabled people should also be catered by governments. Disabled people can not earn sufficient income for their "bread and butter". It is in the best interest of the disabled persons that the government should arrange disability pensions for all of them. Disabled persons should also be exempted from any kind of taxes.

In essence, disability should not be regarded as the burden for society. A little effort by governments, organizations and the public, can help the disabled persons to become self-dependent. All above mentioned solutions can play a vital role for the betterment of persons with specific needs.

This makes it evident that the government is putting effort to give the PWD a healthy atmosphere but the able-bodied also have a certain duty towards the physically handicapped and the disabled other than reserving a seat for them in one corner of public vehicles.

To conclude as Leo F. Buscaglia once quoted,

          “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around”