Just a year back, I started reading and researching about disability. Initially I found it extremely challenging to understand the various facets associated with it. Initially, it was a bit difficult since these facets were confusing and contradictory each other. But today I feel i have got some degree of clarity. So thought why not share the information that I have with me.
So here is a situation. Read it and think about it. It might enable you to get a clarity.
You are comfortably seated in a bus and a person with disability enters the bus.All the seats are occupied.
Now
Will you stand and offer the person your seat
Ask the person to vacate the seat which is reserved for person with disability
You will just ignore the situation
Any other thing that comes to your mind
This is merely a situation but the way we respond to can help us to realise a lot on our approach. I am not sure what exactly should be the approach that one should follow.???????
However one thing that i have been able to understand is that the answer to the question lies in three words - Inclusion, Participation and Empowerment.
Last year I attended a workshop on disability wherein the focus was to sensitize the participant on the issue. The thing that stuck me was that the only thing a person with disability needs is opportunity and if that opportunity is in place it will ensure that every person with disability will be a part of the society. I was lucky to come across a situation which enabled me to realise this which has been summed up as under
There is this cheerful person who works in CCD just a few metres away from our office. He is a person with disability. His disability is regarding his inability to speak and hear. Are you feeling sympathetic. Dont be. He is one of those most cheerful person I have ever came across and he will always have a pleasant smile on his face. You will usually find him smiling around, taking orders from customers and walking across energetically. He is independent, confident and most importantly not dependent. I am not sympathetic about him. In fact, I am amazed to see him, the energy which he has and looking at him makes me realise that there is so much to life to look forward to.
This is the kind of opportunity that I was referring to earlier.
I just find it difficult to see is why are we so resistant and hesitant toward creating an opportunity
Why can we work along side a person with disability ?
Why cant there be barrier free environment(Ramps, access to wheel chairs) in building, public places so that every one has access to them ?
Why do we use the term handicap instead of person with disability
He/She is a person first of all and disability is no their identity. Thus the term person with disability has been used in the entire post. The only thing they require is an opportunity.
