DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 3 (MExN): December 3 is marked in the calendar as International Day of People with Disability or World Disability Day. The day is observed to promote understanding while mobilizing support for the rights and well-being of people with disabilities. ‘Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all’ goes the theme for 2012.
Nagaland as a whole is yet to wake up to the needs of people with disabilities yet certain welfare organizations have take the initiative to promote awareness on the significance of not only the day but also mobilize support for this particular group of people, who are also known as ‘the world’s largest minority’. According to available data, an estimated one billion people, or approximately 15 percent of the world’s population, live with some form of disability. No conclusive data on Nagaland is available. However, one has already come across many such people, who find it an arduous task to even take on day to day affairs considered ordinary for the so called normal and able people.
To make the Naga society more disabled-friendly was the underlying message of a seemingly insignificant programme organized to observe the special day on Monday at Dimapur. The programme was initiated by three NGOs – Prodigals’ Home, People in Need Foundation and Development Association of Nagaland, in association with Dimapur District Disabled Persons Parents’ Association.
Let alone the non-existence of special facilities, the ignorance of the society to the needs of the differently-abled is clearly evident if only one cares to look around. Take for instance the roads and buildings, where no person with physical challenges can traverse and access without someone assisting. It includes the way educational institutions, government establishments, residential structures, banks, hospitals and even the churches are built.
On this particular aspect, K. Ela, director of Prodigals’ Home pointed out the urgent need for making public places barrier free and accessible to people with physically challenges. “Let us not only talk about it… those of us who can do something, let us all apply our minds, join our hands and make Nagaland inclusive for all… barrier free for the disabled.”
Dr. Imlitemsu Ozükum, MD (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) senior specialist, Health & Family Welfare touched on the different aspects of disability, which can be inborn and acquired after birth and which could affect the normal functioning of the body and the mind (brain). He downplayed the popular notion among people that disability cannot be treated and rehabilitated. On the other hand, it is possible, he said. He further lamented the fact that welfare for the disabled in Nagaland is very poor. It is interesting to not that the state do not even have a professional facility to attend to the needs of the disabled. Stating that the absence of such a facility is hampering the community of differently-abled people from accessing proper care at nominal costs, he said that the need of the hour is a facility exclusively for people with disabilities.
District Education Officer, Nungshila Shohe called on parents of differently-abled children to avail the services of the Sarva Shikssha Abhiyan sponsored Inclusive Education for Disabled Rescource Centre at Kuda village, Dimapur. The centre provides care and support to parents while attending to the needs of children with special needs, the DEO said.
