Am I asking for too much?

Moving Towards An Inclusive Society

Shoba(name changed) is not any other 20-year old. She lacks the two things that make people ‘normal’ in our society. She is not gifted with eyesight. To add to it, she lacks the financial resources. She is studying in a reputed college in Delhi (makes her one of the ‘lucky’, I learnt!). But she has one thing that not all of us can claim to have- the habit of not complaining. This, I’ve always felt, is imbibed in her socialization. Shoba, rarely, if ever, asks for things even meant for her.

The reason for this, according to me, is the nature of politics in India. Unfortunately the differently abled population- which form, according to 2001 census, 2-3% of our population and unofficial figures are said to be 60-70million- is not considered to be a vibrant vote bank, as a result successive governments have done little for the amelioration of this section.

People with special abilities are made to believe that they are fortunate to have gotten what ever they have! Of course, I say. Why not! Two out of 7000 Delhi Transport Corporation buses are disable friendly, to find buildings with ramps (to help the physically challenged) would be an achievement in itself. Not even government buildings have these facilities. Education and employment levels, of this chunk of population, are abysmally low. The psychological trauma they undergo is another heartrending issue all together.
The differently abled people contribute to just 0.52% of the total number of people employed in government jobs, infrastructure facilities are very hostile for them hence mobility becomes a problem. This certainly adds a feather to the government’s cap, doesn’t it?

While it is fair to criticize the government, it must be considered that the private sector has done little to help those with disabilities. In the Private sector mere 0.28% of its total employed is disabled. Worse, it is only 0.05% in MNCs. The ‘growth’ of the economy is doing little for those who live in the peripheries.

Social activist Mr. Abidi alleged that Mc Donalds and other transnational companies, which are governed by strict laws, show double standards when they come to India. They have ramps and other facilities provided at their centers in the west, they happen to ignore the law when it comes to India. The indifference of these companies is questionable. The companies, however, argue that there is a case against philanthropy and that they look at each individual as a consumer. Well, a nice way of giving back to the society what you’ve got from it!
There are also complaints about the agenda of the disabled women being sidelined by feminist movements. Well, women are fighting for themselves!

I’ve personally been touched by a few accounts of the less fortunate. I have been writing exams for the visually challenged, every time I write, I’m saddened by lack of opportunities ‘they’ have, in terms of jobs or otherwise. Stories about these are all over the place.
Wonder where the media has been? I have no problems with their extensive coverage of all the ‘Page3 parties’ as they are called (there is a huge chunk of passive audience out there, who is being fed rubbish and they are taking it with relish!). But, until a few years ago, the media was the only institution with a conscience.

Most of the coverage that the media gives to this issue is around the 1st week of December, when the world disability day happens to be. How many ‘responsible’ newspapers or TV channels include stories on these issues on a regular basis? Only regular coverage can keep the issue alive. But why will the media bring up issues if the politicians do not want them in the fore? After all, it’s the world of give and take. And the specially abled have to take only what they are given!
There is only one TV sign language news bulletin per week by Prasar Bharti. Dissemination of information in formats accessible to people with sensory impairments is restricted.

Let’s for a moment introspect. There is an inadvertent attempt to alienate the less privileged, whether we want it or not. ‘They’ are looked at with sympathy by the rest of the population that almost vanishes the next moment due to an overload of preoccupations. It is sad, but what can we do about it?
The situation is different only when we encounter physically and mentally challenged people at close quarters- either a family member of a close friend.

The government, largely, depends on the voluntary sector for help (at least in India). Even the public consciousness and awareness campaigns by voluntary organizations can be called a ‘recent phenomenon’. We can at least talk of the employment of the employable physically disabled, the state of the unemployable and mentally challenged is worse due to lack of social security measures. Can these be a ray of hope? But wait. We have told the specially abled not to be hopeful at all.

The day we change our outlook towards this problem, we would truly be moving towards an inclusive society. I’m forced to ask, with great pain, is the idea of an inclusive society Utopian?

Raksha Kumar