"Disabled persons are still to this day scorned by the public." A harsh statement but activist for the differently-abled, Anton La Fond, believes it's an accurate one. An advocate for the disabled community for the past 15 years, La Fond says there is a need for the society to change its attitude towards people with disabilities who he says continue to be treated unfairly. Estimating that "about 15 per cent" of the population has a disability La Fond says increasing public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people who are disabled is key to creating a more equal society. As the world observes The International Day of the Disabled today, December 3, La Fond, a transportation planner for disabled people, says T&T has a long way to go in "getting things right" as it related to the treatment of differently-abled citizens.
The United Nations proclaimed 1981 as the The International Year of the Disabled (IYDP), calling for a plan of action at the national, regional and international levels, with an emphasis on equalisation of opportunities and rehabilitation. December 3 each year, since 1998, is identified by the UN as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. "The reason for this observance is because they recognise that disabled people are not treated with respect. People need to remember the human aspect of it. At a moment's notice anyone of us can become disabled," he asserted. "They are human beings too. If the respect is not there it defeats the purpose."
Too fragmented
Although the voices of differently-abled people have become louder in recent years, La Fond believes that the disabled community remains "too fragmented" and will not achieve its objectives until it unites. "Take for instance that situation with the rape of the mentally-challenged girl that was shown on TV. The entire disabled community should have been up in arms about that but you didn't hear anything. "If disabled people make their presence felt then they will get much more recognition and respect.
But if they continue to seek hand outs, it wouldn't work." La Fond's struggle to help the disabled community has been fraught with many challenges which he says are difficult to overcome due to the "mindset of the people." He added, "You have to be dedicated and patient. It's about changing our attitudes and its been a snail process. "This year, I would like for people to start over- emphasising the importance of respect for the disabled. If we don't have that we are in trouble."
Strides
Still, many differently-abled citizens continue to break barriers and make significant strides toward bridging the gap of inequality. Case in point, 22-year-old Veera Bhajan, who despite being born without arms went on to fulfil her dreams of becoming an Attorney-at-law. A holder of a Humming Bird (Silver) National Award, Bhajan, who made national headlines again in August after being robbed while walking in Chaguanas, continues to prove that it is possible to achieve success, in spite of. La Fond concluded, "The awareness of persons with disabilities 20 years from now has improved but the respect hasn't. So while we can't deny that strides have been made, those strides could be better. Much more needs to be done."