Inclusivity in Disability — Still a Matter of Concern?
March 9, 2022
"If we are to achieve a richer culture, we must weave one in which each diverse human gift will find a fitting place."
This quote is a befitting one in the case of the individuals from the disabled community. Regardless of their physical, mental or cognitive abilities in an inclusive community, equal opportunities are to be presented to all individuals. Though India has advanced by leaps and bounds over the years, it still has a long way to go in terms of providing accessible solutions to overcome the difficulties faced by disabled individuals. Hence, it's high time we discussed inclusivity in disability.
According to "The Rights of Persons with Disability Act" (2016), "Person with disability" means a person with long term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment which, in interaction with barriers, hinders his full and effective participation in society equally with others.
Eye opener to inclusivity in disability
One of the greatest barriers for the disabled community in India is the lack of infrastructure and facilities. The much-discussed topic about equality advocates for equal opportunities for people irrespective of sex, caste, creed, religion etc. But people often forget to pay attention to a section of the society which makes a significant number in the population of India – the disabled. A small step could certainly be a stepping stone to a brighter and inclusive tomorrow facilitating purposeful interventions to empower the disabled. For which, measures need to be implemented that goes above and beyond setting up physical infrastructure, as specialized toilets and wheelchair ramps are still a rarity in public spaces.
As a society, we must pledge to achieve inclusivity by eliminating physical, attitudinal and technological barriers for the disabled. Even in the present era of technological innovations, there is a notable gap in the advancements and aids made available for the disabled. When we voice our opinions regarding equality, we hardly touch the experiences that the disabled population is taken away from due to their state of being. It can be as simple as having a wheelchair friendly walkway at a beach. Although change is on the cards hopefully for a brighter future, a beach in Chennai has introduced a wheelchair friendly walkway that extended to the shores, so that physically disabled individuals can feel and experience the waves gently caressing their feet.
Categories of Disability
Disability can be broadly classified into 4 types on the basis of the hindrance caused to the individual. Disability is an umbrella term that includes a vast majority of conditions. The four primary types of disability are: Physical, Mental, Intellectual and Sensory.
Physical disability: Physical disabilities impact a person's physical capability and/or mobility or dexterity either temporarily or permanently. It includes people who have lost limbs and have any physical deformity. Acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury, spina bifida, cerebral palsy are also physical disabilities. Paraplegia and Quadriplegia are the most common physical conditions that most people are familiar with. Other forms of physical disability include polio (an acquired disease) and cerebral palsy (damage to brain tissue during fetal stages).