In Govt. offices services to Differently-abled are ‘Handicapped’!

Differently-abled people suffering from blindness, polio, Down’s Syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, etc., are usually offered sympathy and pity by the society. But, more than sympathy, these people are in need of encouragement and self-reliance. Hence, each year on December 3, the International Day of Disabled Persons creates awareness among people to treat disabled people not with pity but by boosting their talent so that they, too, live a life of dignity and pride. This Day emphasizes to change our society’s outlook towards the disabled and pep them with energy so as they start loving their life instead of being reclusive and gloomy. In a nutshell, the aim of the International Day of Disabled Persons is to make the lives of the disabled rosy and eradicate the social stigma towards them.
Many NGOs around the globe are working for the welfare of the disabled wherein they are working to bridge them with the abled in the society and trying to eliminate the discrimination meted out to the differently-abled people in society. What is important to understand is that disability is no curse by the Almighty, but like any disease it is an illness that can be cured with love, support and, of course, modern scientific revolutions.

Though the government has altered the term ‘Disabled’ as ‘Differently-abled’ but, alas, there is not much change in the facilities offered to them. As per global standards government offices, bus-stops, railway stations, post offices, ATMs across the country must provide suitable facilities so that disabled people do not need to depend on others. Tragically, in Mulund, there are just one or two places where such facilities have been provided. Though the government may boast providing several facilities to the disabled, the reality is quite different. Let’s take the example of parking at many malls in the city. There are no wheel-chairs or any subordinate service for the disabled. Even at most railway stations, the facility of the wheelchair is a rarity.

As per the government law 44, 45 and 46, the government must essentially provide numerous facilities to the disabled like public buildings, hospitals, etc., must have ramps, comfortable and accessible toilets. There should be wide doorways to allow a wheel chair to pass through easily. Elevators must have braille labels for the blind. There must be audio-visual fire alarms/ signals. An aide must be provided to assist a disabled child during school/ college examination. Public transportation must be accessible and disabled-friendly. The government rules mention the footpath must have curve cuts and slopes but, unfortunately, the government only makes rules on paper as only a handful are implemented. For instance, in Mulund, disabled people have to face utter difficulty while climbing the staircase at Mulund’s T-Ward office, MT Agarwal Civil Hospital, BMC schools, etc. The condition of people who are deaf and dumb is the worst as they have practically no facility.
Though the railways has started exclusive coaches for the disabled in local trains, the agony is that most of these coaches are packed by normal people. As a result, the disabled are forced to travel in normal coaches and face more hardship. The truth is that the disabled people aspire to lead a life of a normal person but, alas, the social stigma and the discriminatory outlook of our society together with the government’s poor services are creating hurdles in bridging the gap between the normal and the ‘differently-abled’!

Home Times urges the society to change its attitude towards the ‘differently-abled’ and the government becomes serious in offering them their necessary facilities. Then the day will not be long when even our differently-abled brethren will lead a life of pride and independence.

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