Recognising the differently-abled

By L.S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

Mentally disabled children of Kandy Lewella “Navodaya” Residential School.

Mentally disabled students with their teacher

Brighterlife Foundation President, Rudolf Gaubl

Over eight percent of Sri Lanka's population are disabled out of which ninety percent are unemployed and dependent on their families, according to the United Nations Report on the disabled in Sri Lanka.

The persons affected with disabilities need to enjoy equal rights in the society. They must be assured of equal opportunities in education, health, employment, accessibility to facilities, welfare and other internationally recognised rights for co-existence.

The Government and various welfare organizations launched rehabilitation programs to improve the lot so as to integrate them in to the society.

Analysing the perception of disability, internationally reputed Sri Lankan researches on disabled persons Dr. Padmini Mendis said "that those with disabilities have undergone a radical change. During the last four decades disability has been regarded as a problem largely caused by the society itself. With the passage of time disability is viewed as part of the rich diversity of the human race. It has gathered momentum within the human rights framework", Dr. Mendis said.

"Within the social framework, disability is seen as a socially created problem. It is the environment that has the greater impact on changing health conditions or impairment. It may be the establishing procedures in organisations and institutions that exclude disabled people", Dr. Mendis added.

The Director National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities, M.D.C. Jayamanne said that a series of programs such as monthly allowance of Rs. 3,000 for families of disabled people, medical assistance for patients, self-employment and housing assistance to help persons with disabilities were launched by the government during the last years.

The government had provided over Rs.159 million for such projects last year, he said.