DIFFERENTLY-ABLED

From Sampath’s Desk:

 

DIFFERENTLY-ABLED

 

In 2018, the Madras High Court gave a suggestion for the inclusion of lessons on human disabilities, rights of the differently-abled persons, and the value of empathy for them in the school curriculum itself to be taught to children in their formative stages of life from the next academic year. While advocating equality of all children, the High Court also directed the authorities concerned to ensure easy access to education for the differently-abled too.  The Court also urged admission of differently-abled children into general schools so that such kids can be educated along with their mainstream peers that may also enable inter-mingling. Of course, there is a need to sensitize the normal children and teachers on co-existing with and encouraging the less fortunate children. There is also a need for providing suitable differently-abled-friendly amenities and facilities wherever they are not in place now.

 

Earlier in 2016, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities of the Government of India had notified that physically challenged persons would be known as ‘Divyang’ in Hindi (divine ability) instead of ‘Viklang’ (handicapped).

 

Mere cosmetic revision of the nomenclature would not suffice. The responsibility is with society. The solution lies in creating opportunities for them who constitute 2.21% of the population (courtesy: 2011 census). We also need to make them feel on par with normal children and to live with dignity.

 

Programs for differently-abled should include 4 ‘E’s, namely, Explore, Experience, Express and Enjoy.

 

People with born disabilities for no fault of theirs have abilities too and unshakable conviction to achieve anything they want to. Let us not consider it as ‘disability’ but instead let us see only the ‘different abilities’ in them. What they want is only ‘understanding and empathy’ and not sympathy! Let us speak the language the hearing impaired can listen to, sing a song they can dance to, and give them the light that even the visually challenged can see! Pity not the challenged persons, instead encourage, motivate, and inspire them.  For, to be with a disability is not a sin, but neglecting the differently-abled is! In fact, they want people to be their empathizers and facilitators, but not sympathizers.

 

At the grass-root level itself we should start sensitization. The age-old apathetic psyche as if the challenged children are liability should change. We should tell our children not to just pity the differently-abled, but dare to be different and treat them empathetically as their normal mainstream brethren and to help them live a normal life like others. Given a conducive and congenial environment, even special children can develop and hone their skills, talents, capability, and competence, and shine and excel in any activity. We should enable them to convert the so-called ‘disability’ into 'ability' which they can certainly achieve in a fertile environment. All must recognize and appreciate their works and facilitate them to scale heights. Teachers, due to their closeness, can do a lot for special children. Developed countries have done so much for the less fortunate people right  from their childhood itself. India needs to do a lot in their succour.

            

The 'Braille' founded by Helen Keller is a boon to the visually challenged. A boy happened to witness a visually impaired person being crushed by a speeding car in the middle of a road. That gory incident started haunting his mind always so exasperatingly that he made it his avowed objective to find a solution. This resulted in his developing a unique walking stick for them with an infra-red vibrator in it, which would alert the user of the nearby objects - stationary and/or moving ones. For visually challenged diabetics, a spec strip is now available to find out urine/blood sugar levels through different beep sounds generated. Artificial organs including limbs, legs, arms, etc. are unique remedial inventions for the physically challenged. Spastic Society has carved a niche for itself in the service of psychologically-challenged children including the dyslectics. Specially designed vehicles and facilitating gadgets are the outcome of society's embracive care for them. We have different formats of sports competitions for them in the country, and at the international level too, the Paralympics for example. Come on, let us embrace and embolden our special children to blossom with radiance in their life.

 

The success lies in re-writing the old saying ‘it takes a special kind of person to care for a child with special needs’, as 'a child with special needs will inspire you to be a special kind of person’.

  

Dyslexics too have strengths of their own. They have the skills of big-picture thinking, lateral thinking, visual strengths, intuitive understanding and even problem-solving. Remember, even Albert Einstein was a dyslexic boy! Yes, it is for the parents, teachers, close relatives, elders, friends circle and the society at large who have to observe the child's moods, strengths and weaknesses so to design innovative techniques to keep them sufficiently educated, effectively engaged and gainfully do things.

 

To quote Vivekananda, "Don't pity anyone. Look upon all as your equals, cleanse yourself of the primal sin of inequality". Scott Hamilto said, ‘The only disability in life is a bad attitude’. 

December 3 is observed as the INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

  

R.SAMPATH

6/5/2019