From exclusion to inclusion

DISABILITIES: I had no shoes and I grumbled, then I saw a man without feet - Gandhi once famously said. We need to count our blessings and at the same time care for the disadvantaged. Society - meaning all of us - needs to sets standards too. It came to life during my visit to Beijing.

A complaint had been lodged by a neighbour at a local court that the only son of an elderly disabled couple had neglected taking care of his paralysed parents. The son was imprisoned for cruelty!

One in every 10 people in the world has some form of disability or another. Specifically, 600 million of the world's six billion people are affected. Of this, 400 million live in developing countries. Many of them are among the poorest segments of society. They live in isolation and despair.

If you pause and think about it - one in every 10 - is a serious issue. Some estimates even put it between 10 and 20 percent. If this does not arouse concern and action, then what does?

The stigma and bias that disabled people face - and among them are 40 million of some 100 million children in school - has been one of the main stumbling blocks in their overcoming the obstacles for better health, education, and a fair chance.

Many think that disability comes with birth. Often only a small proportion of people are said to be born that way. Whether disability is inherent or not, a change in our personal beliefs and our collective ability to afford them opportunity is needed. It will help them become active contributors to society.

Civilised society

The hallmark of a civilised society is how it looks after the weak and the disabled. The Civil Disabilities Act of 1989, in the United States, was a trend setter.

But what is more profound is that there is a huge volunteer force - in the millions - who provide support to individuals and families. For instances, disabled children have an equal chance in the classrooms.

The degree of care, compassion and, if I may add, bravery can be gauged by a lady who adopted three autistic children. Starting with early interventions is the best approach. A system needs to be put in place that recognises disability early.

How seriously do we take these issues? At the global level, a Convention on the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities is being drafted. Some 400 delegates and disability advocates are involved. It's likely to be presented and passed at the UN Assembly later this year.

Speaking to Kathy Guernsey an International Human Rights lawyer, it's clear that the convention will draw from several countries who serve as good examples.

New Zealand is impressive because they have put in place systems that will help shift towards community based support for the disabled and away from reliance on institutions.

In Uganda, James Muwandha, a Member of Parliament, is pushing the programme for community based support at all levels and tiers of society.

In Paraguay, Mental Disability Rights International is working with the government to strengthen a system that will move resources from failing institutions to investment in community based support. In Thailand the issue of "Work Rights" for the disabled is being firmly dealt with.

In Pakistan, post earthquake rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes are being leveraged to help disabled people to re-enter society through gainful employment programmes. And in the Philippines, special attention is being given to the rights and needs of disabled women.

And what of Sri Lanka? It is fair to say that there is inadequate national conscientiousness to address these issues seriously and with scale. Our societies need a mind shift in how we treat the disabled. It is common to see people stare and make disabled people uncomfortable.

Many parents keep their children at home. That is a real tragedy. Looked at in another way, it's like imposing a prison sentence on the person.

Long standing issues

It was salutary, therefore, to read in this newspaper earlier in the month that The National Council for Persons with Disabilities has been promised a series of measures.

They will address long standing issues, benefits and actions, including support to community based schemes that will benefit disabled children. Such promises were made in the past, too! A national policy was drafted around 1996. It never got even to a stage of debate in Parliament. It's now expected to be presented within a few months. Let's wait and see!

Judith Heumman, who served as an Advisor on Disability issues to the Clinton administration and later to former World Bank President Jim Wolfensohn says that simple, inexpensive solutions can be put in place. Budgetary excuses should not mask inaction and insensitivity.

For instance, Judith says that it would not take much to train teachers to handle and facilitate learning for children with disabilities.

The opportunity should be seized to ensure that when new budgets are granted to schools, equipment to help the disabled be factored. And when public transport arrangements are made or equipment ordered, accessibility should be a precondition.

So also when street pavements are being constructed anew or reconstructed, or when building code is granted, accessibility should be built in, whether private or public financed. And accessibility should also be part and parcel of new websites and information technology tools.

Often, disability is man made. At this time when our country is engaged in a serious effort to bring peace after two decades of civil war, the disability that is imposed on innocent people can be profoundly illustrated by the Cambodian experience.

One in every 236 people is an amputee in Cambodia because of landmines and other war trauma. Wheelchairs and prosthetic limbs give land mine survivors a fighting chance.

Stepped on a land mine

Tun Channareth is a Cambodian landmine survivor. He lost his leg when he stepped on a land mine. With an axe he cut the dead weight of one of his shattered legs so that he could lift himself.

He cried and wanted a friend to kill him. But then he thought of his family. Tun went on to serve as an ambassador for the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.

In that spirit, let's give voice to the disabled. Let's champion and guard their rights. They need Inclusion, not Exclusion or confinement. No stigma or stereotyping.

Like all of us, they want to succeed. And we must help them in their quest: openly and as an integral part of our society, culture and personal standards.