Most people are aware that disabilities exist and that some people have them, but otherwise there is very little to no substantial information that is possessed by the general public regarding them.
In this week’s blog, we aim to provide a clear understanding of disabilities, challenges faced by disabled people and discuss the importance of disability services.
Let’s start by understanding what disability is…
A disability is any condition of the body or mind that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities and interact with the world around them.
Disabilities are an umbrella term, covering problems in body function or structure (impairments), difficulties encountered by an individual in executing a task or action (activity limitations), and problems experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations (participation restrictions).
Differently-abled. People with special needs. An inspiration to us all. While these phrases are often well-intentioned when referring to people with disabilities, it is a common misconception that these phrases are preferable over the word ‘disabled’ itself. ‘Disability’ is not a forbidden word in any way, shape, or form and to truly destigmatize those with disabilities or even the word ‘disability’ itself, it becomes imperative to understand disability its importance.
It is extremely needful to understand the adversities that people with disabilities face to remove the stigma surrounding the topic.
The first challenge is the lack of access to adequate treatments and resources. This is why the number of disabled people is more in rural areas than in urban areas. Medical resources are confined to the urban area. When there is a restriction put on the treatments available to people, it can cause heavy consequences that could have been prevented. They may be denied resources and medication due to various reasons like heedlessness of patients’ pains, lack of availability of medication and various others.
The second challenge is the lack of infrastructure. We don't have as many rehabilitation centres as we have hospitals. Our disability management organisations are very small. Therefore, it is a big challenge for disabled people to get proper care.
The third challenge is the availability of assistive and adaptive technology and devices. Without this equipment, disabled persons will be unable to function independently. The need for such devices is critical. But sadly, it is either too costly or unavailable to access for many disabled people.
The next challenge is livelihood. Since disabled people are not getting access to education or skill development, they are unable to get independence in terms of livelihood. Awareness and perception of the other members of the society pose challenges. Lack of accessibility and adaptability in their daily lives is a hindrance to disabled people.
Yet another challenge is the lack of inclusivity in the education system. Inclusion of children with mild to moderate disabilities in regular schools has remained a major challenge. There are various issues such as availability of special schools, access to schools, trained teachers, and availability of educational materials for the disabled.
One of the most commonly experienced challenges by disabled people of all ages is social inclusion. Negative attitudes held by family members, and those sometimes internalised by the disabled themselves, hinder the disabled persons from taking an active role in family, community or workforce.
Poor implementation of policies and schemes hinders the inclusion of disabled persons. Though various acts and schemes have been laid down with an aim to empower the disabled, their enforcement faces many challenges.
Although the lives of many disabled people are full of challenges, there are ways to improve them. There is a way forward.
Prevention: Preventive health programs need to be strengthened and all children need to be screened at a young age.
Awareness: People with disabilities need to be better integrated into society by overcoming stigma. There should be awareness campaigns to educate and aware people about different kinds of disability
Employment: Disabled adults need to be empowered with employable skills. The private sector needs to be encouraged to employ them.
Education: There should be proper teacher training to address the needs of differently-abled children and facilitate their inclusion in regular schools
Further there should be more special schools and ensure educational material for differently-abled children
Access: Safety measures like road safety, safety in residential areas, public transport system etc, should be taken up. Further, it should be made legally binding to make buildings disabled-friendly
Policy Interventions: Proper implementation of schemes should be ensured. There should be proper monitoring mechanisms and accountability of public funds.
The Indian government has also taken a step forward in order to accommodate the needs and demands of disabled people in India. The constitution of India protects the rights of disabled people within its framework itself. Several fundamental rights, such as Articles 15, 24, 25 to name a few include the protection of disabled people in India. Furthermore, the subject of ‘relief of the disabled and unemployable’ is specified in the state list of the Seventh Schedule to the constitution.
Taking a closer look at Article 41, we can see how the Indian Constitution protects the rights of disabled people. This article states that the “state shall make effective provision for securing right to work, to education, and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, within the limits of its economic capacity and development”.
Now let’s take a look at what disability services are. Disability services are those government or other institutional services and supports specifically provided to enable people who have disabilities to participate in society and community life.
Facts About Disability Services:
Variety of Disabilities: There are many different types of disabilities, and disability services are tailored to each person's unique needs. It's not a one-size-fits-all.
Education and Employment: Disability services help people get a good education and find jobs that suit their skills and abilities. We believe everyone has a talent to share!
Accessibility: Making places, websites, and public transportation accessible is a big part of disability services. Everyone should have the right to go wherever they want.
Independent Living: Many disability services focus on helping people live on their own, so they can have their own space and make their own choices.
As per 2011 census, there are 2.68 crore disabled people and they account for 2.21% of the total population of our country.
These include persons with Visual, Hearing, Speech & Locomotive disability, Mental Retardation, Mental Illness, Multiple Disability and any other disabilities.
Under Union Disability Schemes, launched by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, PwDs(People with Disabilities) are eligible to receive financial assistance, education benefits, fuel subsidies etc
Some Government Schemes include Niramaya, Nishashkt Vivah, Disha (Early Intervention and School Readiness Scheme), Vikaas (Day Care), Gharaunda (Group Home for Adults), Sahyogi (Caregiver Training) Schemes etc.
Let's take a look at a couple of stories to see how disability services can make a big difference in people's lives.
Shyam's Journey to Inclusive Education Shyam, a 10-year-old boy from a small village in rural India, was born with Down syndrome. His parents were determined to provide him with quality education and ensure his inclusion in the local school. However, the traditional education system often struggled to accommodate children with special needs. With the support of a local NGO specialising in disability services, Shyam's family received guidance on the importance of inclusive education. The NGO worked closely with Shyam's school to train teachers in inclusive teaching methods. They also provided Shyam with individualised support, including speech therapy and occupational therapy. Over time, Shyam not only improved his communication skills but also thrived academically. With the inclusive environment created at his school, he developed friendships with his classmates, fostering understanding and acceptance. Today, Shyam continues his education in a mainstream school, proving that with the right support and an inclusive approach, children with disabilities can achieve their full potential.
Empowering Preeti Through Vocational Training Preeti, a young woman in her early twenties, hails from a modest background in a bustling Indian city. She was born with a hearing impairment, which presented unique challenges when it came to finding employment. Determined to overcome these barriers, Preeti sought assistance from a vocational training centre specializing in disability services. The centre provided Preeti with sign language training and equipped her with skills for data entry and computer operation. In addition, they connected her with employers who valued diversity and inclusivity. With the newfound skills and job opportunities, Preeti secured a data entry position with a reputable company in her city. Preeti's story serves as a testament to the transformative power of disability services in facilitating economic independence. Through targeted training and support, she not only gained employment but also shattered stereotypes about the employability of people with disabilities. Her success highlights the importance of equal opportunities and the role disability services can play in empowering individuals to lead fulfilling lives.
By understanding and appreciating disability services, we're one step closer to making our communities more diverse and welcoming. So, let's keep learning, asking questions, and advocating for inclusivity, because everyone deserves a chance to shine!
Comments