The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. “Empowering Persons with Disabilities and Ensuring Inclusiveness and Equality,” was the theme for this year’s observance of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, on Monday, 3rd December. It aimed to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. More than 1 billion people in the world live with some form of disability. In many societies, persons with disabilities often end up disconnected, living in isolation and facing discrimination. Bearing that fact in mind, the United Nations (UN) pledges to leave no one behind. Its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development represents a commitment to reducing inequality and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including people with disabilities. That means, implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in all contexts and in all countries. It also means integrating the voices and concerns of people with disabilities into national agendas and policies.
A person is deemed to have a disability, or to be differently-abled, when they have an impairment that may be cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, sensory, or some combination of these. It substantially affects a person's life activities and may be present from birth or occur during a person's lifetime. However, this contemporary view of a disability only came in vogue after what was known as the West’s scientific period of Enlightenment. The Enlightenment (also known as the Age of Enlightenment or the Age of Reason) was an intellectual and philosophical movement that dominated the world of ideas in Europe during the 18th century, the "Century of Philosophy". It was as time when society was rapidly developing through science and its discoveries. Prior to this period, disability was viewed through a different and dismal lens. During the Medieval period, madness and other conditions were thought to be caused by demons. They were also thought to be part of the natural order, especially during and in the fallout of the Plague, which wrought impairments throughout the general population. In the early modern period there was a shift to seeking biological causes for physical and mental differences, as well as heightened interest in demarcating categories. The European Enlightenment's emphases on knowledge derived from reason and on the value of natural science to human progress helped spawn the birth of institutions and associated knowledge systems that observed and categorized human beings; among these, the ones significant to the development of today's concepts of disability were asylums, clinics, and, prisons.
Today, we have definitely come a long way from those earlier perspectives of disability. This can be seen with doing away with the term ‘disabled’, and replacing with a less stigmatized term ‘differently-abled’. The change in perspective was echoed loudly in the statement made by the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres in his speech to commemorate the International Day for people living with disabilities, 2018. Mr. Guterres stated, "On this International Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to work together for a better world that is inclusive, equitable and sustainable for everyone, where the rights of people with disabilities are fully realized." This highlights the current perspective that the inclusion of people with disabilities is better for society as a whole. On the day of his address, December 3rd, 2018, the UN issued its flagship report on Disability and Development 2018 – Realizing the Sustainable Development Goals by, for and with persons with disabilities. The Report shows that people with disabilities are at a disadvantage regarding most Sustainable Development Goals, but also highlights the growing number of good practices that can create a more inclusive society in which they can live independently.
There is a level of independence that can be achieved in many cases of disabilities. However, there are many barriers that the differently-abled face which hinders from realizing that goal. Some people’s attitude and physical and economic barriers make life difficult for the differently-abled. This hinges on the social determinant of health that concerns social inclusion. Due to discrimination, the disabled may be excluded from things like attending school or being involved in regular social activity at the workplace, school or within the community. In many instances, attending school, a mandatory requirement for most and a human right to education, is often denied to the differently-abled. Without access to education, the differently-abled person would not be able to find a job, and, without a job, he or she will always be dependent on others. This is not only a waste of a differently-abled person’s skills, but also a violation of his or her right to proper education. This problem of exclusion is also encountered even if the differently-abled gets a place in school or lands a job. However, through raising awareness and education of those living with the differently-abled and the wider public, everyone in society can help those who are differently-abled to live their lives to the fullest. Thus, the differently-abled can gain back their rights. Such awareness would be most effective in existing education programmes. That way, the community will come to understand the nature of the disabilities with which the differently-abled live. Local support groups for parents of and those living with the differently-abled are absolutely necessary as it helps these individuals to share their experience with others.We also need to reduce physical barriers like building wider doorways and wheelchair ramps. These also benefit the elderly as well. When given appropriate materials, people with visual impairments can study anything.
Thus, with fewer barriers, a proper education and awareness in the community, the differently-abled has the same chance as others getting a job and being independent. Instead of depending on others, in this way the differently-abled can be fully appreciated for who they are: people of many abilities. But at a personal level, in schools and the workplace, we can all do our part to educate ourselves to be better able to support those in our communities who are differently-abled. If we are not used to dealing with the differently-abled, we may find ourselves in an awkward situation when we come across someone with a disability. We may not know how best to help them and we might cause offence without meaning to do so. A lot of the time, we worry unnecessarily. It is perfectly alright to say, “I don’t see why’, to a blind or visually impaired person. But there are some common mistakes that non-disabled people make when dealing with the differently-abled. Here are the top five disability etiquette mistakes that we commit often without even realizing it:
Taking a blind or visual impaired person’s arm. Most people actually prefer to take your arm, not the other way around. So do not grab a person to guide them. Instead offer your arm if they need it and be sure to warn them of any obstacles.
Shouting at someone with a hearing impairment. Shouting does not make it easier for us to be understood. In fact, it distorts our faces and it can make it harder for a person with a hearing impairment to lip read. So simply speak at your normal speed and volume, but make sure the person can see your lips.
Talking to guide dogs before their owners. We all love dogs, but it rude to speak to and fuss over a guide dog before addressing its owner. So always talk with the person, not the dog.
Standing up when talking to a wheelchair user. A wheelchair user will soon get a stiff neck from looking at someone who is standing. So, try to get down to a similar level. They would not think you are being condescending and they will be much more comfortable.
Assuming you know how to help. We may not always be the best judge of how to help someone who is differently-abled. So, if in doubt, just ask.
It is essential to learn practical steps one needs to incorporate when relating to the differently-abled who are members of our community. It is very heartening to see that the Equal Opportunities Commission of T&T (ECO) has launched a booklet that focuses on highlighting such practices in the workplace. This booklet, launched last week, assists both employers and their differently-abled employees to navigate the world of work. It is entitled ‘Guidelines for Employers on Disability in TT’ and was produced in collaboration with the Sir Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies, the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. The ECO says that the booklet addresses all aspects of managing disability in the work environment, from reasonable accommodation and retaining employees with a disability. It further explained that the booklet will assist employers in understanding their obligations to implement non-discriminating and affirmative action measures with respect to the differently-abled in the workplace. Conversely, it will assist the different-abled employees to understand their rights in aspects of employment, training, accommodation and access to goods and services. Citation here. Such initiatives certainly make inclusion of the differently-abled a much easier goal to achieve.
Dr. Visham Bhimull,
Family Physician
MBBS (UWI)
Diploma in Family Medicine(UWI)
vishambhimull@hotmail.com