Enabling The Differently Abled – India Needs To Do It!

When life hits a Volley at you, smash a shot! That’s how you describe the one-arm disabled Natalia Partyka of Poland who has already won a million hearts at the London Olympics 2012. With her courage, determination and spirit of competence, she stands out as an inspiration for people all around the world battling physical disability.

This star Table tennis player hailing from Poland has braved all odds to cover up for her right forearm deficit since birth. One cannot escape her charisma when you see her getting ready to serve carefully balance the ball in the folds of skin at the end of her elbow before dropping it on to her swishing bat.

And that brings us back to a glaring question – why can’t Indians battle out their physical limitations so brilliantly? Why can’t we produce Stephen Hawkings (paralyzed scientist), Michael Boltons (deaf pop-star), Helen Kellers (blind, deaf and mute artist) and Marla Runyans (blind Olympic runner)! Surely, there is no dearth of disabled people in India… what lacks is the right infrastructure and compassionate support.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines disability as:

“Disability is an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. Impairment is a problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations. Thus disability is a complex phenomenon, reflecting an interaction between features of a person’s body and features of the society in which he or she lives”.

By this very definition, a disabled person would be in need of a special more-friendly infrastructure that helps him fight out all odds imposed by his by birth or acquired disabilities. And every government should do more that its duty to ensure a better life for disabled population.

Sadly, India is lagging behind in providing disabled-friendly environment/infrastructure since our governments are focusing more on giving tax exemptions (A Bill extending the exemption of professional tax to all types of disabled people was recently introduced in Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly).Tax exemption alone would not make life easier for disabled, would it?

But why blame the government alone; we the people – the mob – are also unaware of special needs of disabled people. Do we even realize how tough the life’s battle becomes for a disabled? In a world guided by the ‘Survival of the fittest’ theory, disabled population finds it near impossible to just survive and they barely can do so with the lack of education, awareness, infrastructure and employment.

For a start, let’s realize that such people need specially-oriented Education, vocational learning and training that empowers them to fight out their disability. But education alone would not serve the purpose. Nor reserving some jobs in Public sector would! India actually needs a renaissance of friendly atmosphere where EMPATHY substitutes SYMPATHY towards the disabled lot.

Sweety Manocha, a 45-year-old deaf and mute since birth emerges a role-model for many. The lady is no ordinary housewife; she works in an office as administrative staff. Every morning she commutes by local train from Faridabad to New Delhi and is back by evening happily. She admits, 

“It was my parent’s encouragement that I am a self-reliant person today. Of course, there are problems but I know I can find a solution. My husband and my two sons are facing the same disability; but at least we have the support of our whole family. Everyone is not so lucky I would say. My family and colleagues do not laugh at me nor consider me incompetent of doing any job.”  

What one cannot help notice is her sheer stubborn attempt to pronounce and speak up a few words! When asked about in what all areas she expects support from the government and society at large, she candidly expressed, 

“I would like to laugh out more, watch movies, indulge in some learning experience with technically advanced software and not reminded about my disability so often.”

Hasn’t she said it all so beautifully? They need education and employment, yes, but they need acceptability and normalcy even more. This is here we all can contribute. A gentle smile, a pat on the back, a forwarded joke – maybe these small gestures would give our disabled friends a friendly support they need sans all sympathies.

India needs to have more social clubs for such people. Facebook and Orkut are no doubt an encouraging way to make disabled people express and communicate. Let’s also not forget that many people with disabilities suffer from a lack of physical exercise and resultant poor physical health. Living a sedentary lifestyle may worsen their disability and add complications, such as hypertension or obesity. So they need more opportunities to indulge in physical games and exercises than normal people.

In both these contexts, Media can play a vital role. As the mirror and moulder of society, Media needs to bring on to board the real problems of such people and provide them a platform for expressing themselves. The movie ‘Koshish’ by Gulzar was a fine attempt in addressing their problems and evoking emotional support for the disabled people; we would like to have more such movies to produce more Sudha Chandrans in the coming times.

And we all can also do our part by befriending such people and encouraging them to hone their talent and move ahead with their hidden strength. Like Sarah Triano says,

“Although there are many barriers facing people with disabilities today, the single greatest obstacle we face as a community is our own sense of inferiority, internalized oppression and shame.”

Let us know how many of you agree on this. We would look forward to hear your COMMENT on this greatest obstacle and what all we can do to overcome this obstacle!