Get back to life
Mahesh
9 Dec 2002
disABILITY and the local context:
Any loss of the function of a body part or parts is disability. This is usually of a permanent nature in persons with disability.
Associated challenges:
In many instances the disability in a person results in a series of challenges.
Attitude is the paintbrush of the mind it colours everything
Persons with disability in society are usually associated with negative image of being a burden, object of sympathy, stigma - leading to low-self esteem in the person and social-isolation. Our attitudes and lack of awareness of disability has also resulted in environmental barriers (in accessible spaces) within our home, at workplace, public transport and public buildings which has made people with disabilities to be confined in their homes.
The general lack of acceptance of persons with disability as a person leads to discrimination, denial of opportunities and more complex situations based on gender, caste and the social strata of the family. People with disabilities often feel the nowhere to go syndrome.
Why does it happen?
We are not born with a negative image of persons with disabilities but these values develop as we see, hear and from the surroundings that we live in.
There is also a tendency for the needs of the disabled be it medical, education, hostel, being met in a segregated or isolated way hence disabled people are not part of larger society and remain the invisible people
What are the needs of persons with disabilities?
Just like everyone else - persons with disability need: Education, access to health care, play, entertainment, involvement in social gatherings, consulted during decision-making, marriage, employment this creates an opportunity for the non-disabled population to know about the persons with disabilities as human being with similar aspiration/ needs and similarly for the disabled to know about the life in general.
That the person with disability enjoys the same human right as a non-disabled is completely/ conveniently ignored.
What needs to be done?
In order to bring about a change we need to see people with disabilities in everyday life playing an active role of a student, employee, parent, etc people with disabilities must be part of mainstream society with a better quality of life. The difficult first step of coming out of the house has to be made by the person with a disability and must receive appropriate supported by the families. This is easier said than done, however difficult or impractical as it might seem, this is a strategy that should never be given-up and this is the key for opening new opportunities in life and re-establishing yourself as a person in society.
Our country has two important Acts namely “ The Persons With Disabilities Act and the National Trust Act. These Acts are enacted for persons with disability to rightfully live life like everyone else, gives legal protection against discrimination and lawfully demand for equal opportunities in school, recreation, access to resources and livelihood.
Remember to use all these ammunition to fire yourself back to life..