Every year Meghalaya celebrates World Disabilities Day on December 3 along with the rest of the country and the world. Promises are made and pledges are taken and forgotten at the same pace. The society too remains reluctant to change its mindset about physical disabilities. It is a vicious cycle that persons with disabilities are caught in and many, especially those coming from the economically weaker stratum, have little hope for dignity.
Carmo Noronha, Executive Director at Bethany Society, is opposed to the government tagging Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) divyang and special. He says it is time that “our society celebrates variability”. In an interview with The Shillong Times, Noronha, who is in the government panel that was recently reconstituted to implement 4 percent job reservation, says there should be a focus on inclusive education that can empower PWDs. Excerpts:
Recently, the govt has reconstituted the panel for jobs to provide 4 percent reservation to PWD. But the PWD Act was formulated long back. How far has the jobs quota been implemented? Are they considered for groups A and B jobs?
Jobs is a sensitive issue. When we talk about quota then we should remember that there are other forms of reservations in government jobs and it becomes difficult for the government to accommodate all the 15-16 categories (for quota) and maintain a balance. However, another issue is that though there is reservation for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), there are only a few who have the required qualification to get the jobs. This is because these people are often neglected and those in villages do not get enough education.
Nonetheless, it is a fact that disability is not a priority here and the government lacks the will to improve the existing situation. The PWD Act was formed in 1995 and only now they are taking up the issue because there is a proactive commissioner at the helm.
For Group A and Group B jobs, the posts are so less that people often get to the level through promotion.
How sensitive do you think the state government is, compared to the rest of the country, towards the needs of persons with disabilities?
In terms of sensitivity, the government has become quite open about the issue in the last 8 to 10 years. For instance, if a family in a village has a person with disability, then he or she is eligible for a job card under MGNREGA and can get employment in any project under the national scheme. Also, SSA schools take in children with disabilities.
How far Government implemented ramps in offices and facilities for crossing the roads to ease the difficulties of the disabled in the context of world white cane day on October 14?
Last year we did access audit in 26 buildings in the city and the report is with the Government of India.
With time, how inclusive has the society become? How is the awareness level?
The awareness level has definitely increased. But if the government, both in the state and at the Centre, continues to segregate them by calling them special ordivyang (divine) then how can we expect inclusiveness. I always urge people to use the term Persons with Disabilities as per the international convention.
There have been cases of sexual assault of physically & mentally challenged women and children in the city and in rural areas. How can this problem be tackled?
This only mirrors the degradation in our society. There are several such cases, some are reported and many, especially cases in rural areas, go unreported. There are laws but their implementation is sluggish. Cases of sexual harassment of PWDs should be expedited through fast track courts.
Do you think the government should set up more institutes/schools for the disabled as suggested by Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Bandu Athawale during his recent visit?
I am aware that the minister suggested more special schools. I am sorry, but I beg to differ. Please be sensitive about variability in classroom. I do not believe in the concept of special school. Why do you need one? Why can’t the government open up mainstream schools to the persons with disabilities? Now the schools might say they do not have the proper infrastructure and equipment to take care of special children. I would say why not train a few teachers and include these students in the classroom.
Special schools are under the Social Welfare Department but shouldn’t they be under the Education Department? The government has to strengthen the existing education system so much so that there remains no segregation.
What is your idea about inclusive education? Whether there should be separate schools for the students with various disabilities or they should study in normal schools?
As I said, we have to start accepting variability. I call any disability impairment. Add to that barriers and it becomes disability. To lesse the extent of disability we should try to remove the barriers as much as possible. Only then inclusiveness will be a successful.
Do you feel that the parents or the relatives of the children with disabilities should be caring and compassionate in dealing with them? Have you come across any instances of ill treatment of the disabled by the parents, guardians and colleagues?
The level of awareness among urban families has increased but as a community the mindset needs to change. In families where there are children with disabilities, they are neglected more than physically tortured. Their education also takes a backseat. That is the reason why the focus should be on inclusiveness.
Alternate option
By Bertina Lyngdoh
Passing or failing the examinations while applying for job opportunities is not a question that I am raising here. But what I am mentioning here is that if Persons with Disabilities have put so much efforts in completing their studies, why is that we are finding it difficult to apply for the different posts that are available for us, especially when we have to apply online.
Yes, everybody may agree to the point that applying for jobs and scholarships online is the easiest way, but I and on behalf of Persons with Disabilities, especially the visually impaired, do not agree to this.
The reason is that we always have to depend on others for there is no screen reader software accessible in the cyber cafes. I am telling this for I and many of my friends had experienced and missed out most of these opportunities that came our way. I missed my chance to apply for PhD in universities outside the state and this is a great loss for me. It only adds to the struggle that my friends and I have to go through.
We are not blaming the persons who are in charge of cyber cafes. They do help us on several occasions. But when there are many customers, they tend to forget us.
So if the government thinks that applications for jobs and scholarships still need to be online then it should strongly take the initiatives to make cyber cafes accessible, and if not then think of some other possible ways which will be accessible to Persons with Disabilities.
(The author teaches English at
Jyoti Sroat, Bethany Society, and is
visually impaired)