International Day of Persons with Disabilities fell on December 3:

Empowering the differently abled

by Pramod DE SILVA

Imagine not having one of your faculties (hearing, eyesight, hands or legs, speech etc) and trying to cope up in a world primarily designed for the able bodied. Life is a daily struggle for the millions of people the world over who are either born with a disability or acquire one later due to injury, accident or disease.

They do face many hurdles in a 'normal' world. But they should not get the feeling that they are alone. They deserve equality and access, not necessarily sympathy. The world has come far in accommodating the wishes and demands of persons with disabilities, although Sri Lanka is still lagging behind in certain aspects. We need to focus on social integration of the disabled, now mostly called the differently abled.

There are an estimated 700 million persons with disabilities worldwide, or 10 per cent of the global population. Approximately two thirds live in developing countries. In certain developing countries nearly 20 per cent of the general population in some way has a disability; if the impact on their families is taken into account, 50 per cent of the population is affected.

The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, (just one week before the Human Rights Day) aims to promote an understanding of disability issues, the rights of persons with disabilities and gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of the political, social, economic and cultural life of their communities. This year's theme of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is "Empowering Persons with Disabilities with the Right to Act." Empowering the disabled is a prime need.

The Day provides an opportunity to mobilize action to achieve the goal of full and equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in society by persons with disabilities, established by the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1982.

In 1992, the United Nations proclaimed December 3 of each year as International Day of Disabled Persons with the aim of promoting a better understanding about disability issues and increasing awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

On 13 December 2006, the General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the first major human rights instrument of the 21st century. Since entering into force in 2008, 75 countries have ratified the convention.

According to the UN, many persons with disabilities continue to face barriers to their participation in their communities and are often forced to live on the margins of society. They often face stigma and discrimination and are routinely denied basic rights such as food, education, employment, access to health and reproductive health services. Many persons with disabilities are also forced into institutions, a direct breach of the rights to freedom of movement and to live in their communities. Although many commitments have been made to include disability and persons with disabilities in development, the gap between policy and practice continues.

One of the main planks of the UN's campaign against discrimination of the disabled is that 'Disability Resides in the Society not in the Person'. For example, a person in a wheelchair might have difficulties being gainfully employed not because of one's condition but because there are environmental barriers such as inaccessible buses or staircases in the workplace which obstruct his or her access.

This is a huge issue in developing countries such as Sri Lanka which do not have the necessary infrastructure for the disabled. It is heartening to note that all new buildings are now required by law to have access and other facilities for the disabled (restrooms, tactile aids etc) but where possible, action should be taken to retrofit such facilities in existing buildings and structures. We are miles behind in disabled-friendly legislation and actions but it is not too late to catch up.

Access is a key issue and not only in a strictly physical sense such as entering a building. The disabled should receive equal access to education, health and other services as well. Many 'normal' schools are reluctant to admit mentally or physically challenged students and the entire society is under the impression that these children only belong in a 'special' institution. Yet there are many success stories of disabled, especially visually and aurally impaired students doing well in normal schools.

Equal access to employment is another issue. There certainly are jobs which require persons without any disability. On the other hand, there are many jobs that disabled persons can do, depending on their disability. But there is widespread discrimination against such persons.

Another example for the broad definition of 'access' would be simple things that make life easier for the disabled. Currency notes with tactile features that highlight the amount for the benefit of the visually impaired is one such example.

Another is a traffic signal system that gives auditory cues for visually impaired pedestrians. More TV programmes should feature sign language interpretation and same-language subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. Pubic transport systems such as trains and buses must be designed to facilitate travelling by disabled persons.

Most of these have already been implemented in many countries, including some developing ones. Some of these measures are not very costly either.

Persons with disabilities are part and parcel of our society.

A perfectly able person today can become disabled tomorrow. Society must treat persons with disabilities on an equal footing and empower them to act to win their just rights. That is the message that the world must hear on December 3 and afterwards.