FEATURES NEWS THE RISING NEPAL (DAILY)

The Disabled Understand Their Problem

By Prem N. Kakkar

THE 14th Asian Conference on Mental Retardation was held in Kathmandu on November 29, 1999. At that time it was reiterated that it was the necessity to form a joint forum on combating the problem of disability in general and of mental retardation in particular.

Mainstream

Taken in this light there is every need for the disabled people to enter the mainstream of the society despite the fact that awareness in this regard has not been generated to the fullest possible extent.

It is a well known fact that there is a legislation implemented by the government for the development of the disabled people. That the protection of their rights is the key to bring them into the mainstream has been realised by all and the government too is working in this direction with a firm commitment.

That equal opportunities must be granted to every citizen irrespective of whether he/she is disabled or not is clearly mentioned in the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-1990. The UN Standard Rules also require all signatory countries to provide equal opportunities to the disabled persons.

It is easier said than done when it comes to giving equal treatment to the disabled though the past years have shown that the results in this direction have been quite heartening. The mental frame of the people who consider themselves able must go a sea change before an all out success can be achieved in seeing that the rights of the disabled including those who are mentally retarded are guaranteed.

The Constitution guarantees that every citizen of the country will receive equal treatment but this must be implemented through relevant laws and rules and regulations. Though there are laws in this regard, strong commitment is the key. Being broadminded is what constitutes a true and honest citizen of the country. In this regard the disabled are nowhere behind.

The disabled people need support to some extent but sympathy is the way how the dealing is to be made. It was in the past that looking down upon the disabled people or showing mere sympathy was the situation but now times have changed. The disabled people have themselves proved that they can learn any vocation or even complete higher studies but the whole idea behind it is that opportunities must be provided to them. It is only when the society gives them due place do changes come.

Instead of looking upon the disabled as burdens, it is all the more essential to think of them as ourselves and give them the place they deserve as our equals. But there are numerous challenges that are daunting in a resource strapped country like ours. The will is there but the funds as driving forces are lacking.

The 21st century as such has many problems to be tackled on a war footing. The new hopes have to be fulfilled and herein taking account of all the people’s welfare is the need of the hour and the disabled are also able to contribute their mite in the interest of the country.

The country has already embarked on a path wherein every citizen has the right to lead the life he/she wishes. There is freedom of expression and a guarantee of the rights as Nepalese. The matter may seem like a digression but it is important to note that is the basis for every disabled person to be able to exercise his/her rights. The government is duty bound to protect their rights through the laws that are in existence and if there is any shortcomings appropriate moves must be taken.

Just by saying that a certain percentage of disabled people does not amount to anything unless appropriate steps are taken to mitigate their plight. To be of assistance to such people should be taken as an honour.

Providing privileges such as a monthly allowance or something like that will not amount to much unless such people are helped to stand on their own feet. What they need is not sympathy but genuine understanding and programmes so that they will be able to lead their own livelihood as they think is best for themselves.

Education and opportunities for employment must be opened up for them in a scale that must be greater than in the past. This is not to say that no achievement has been made. Creating homes for such people like the old homes is not the solution. They must be provided training that will prove useful for gainful employment.

There are enough evidence of the disabled people coming at par with others. This is enough to suggest that the door must be opened for them so that they can prove their mettle and not live at the whims and fancies of others. What everyone must understand that it is not beggars that the disabled people must look to being but being able despite the disability. That will not only raise their self-esteem but also their contributions will prove a boon for the country.

At present only a negligible percentage of the disabled people are engaged in gainful employment. This surely tells a sad tale of the attitude of many a people who see the disabled as useless. This is the reason why awareness must be generated that the disabled can contribute as much as or even more that those who consider themselves as more endowed with physical abilities.

Herein the desired rate of progress for the rehabilitation of the disabled people has suffered because of the lack of the necessary resources including the funds to conduct programmes so that they could become versed in one or the other vocation. The case of mental retardation, a part of the problem, must also be taken up seriously. There is a lack of hospitals to take care of them. Even cases that could be successfully treated with necessary social and medical help are left to themselves and the situation still gets worse.

There are some centres working for the welfare of the disabled but that is not enough. More input has to be made so that a greater number of such people could be served and they could also serve the country in a more constructive way. At present a lot of manpower is going to waste just because the country has not been able to gain from their contributions.

Policies

New policies have to be framed and implemented effectively. It is not only the urban centres that must have the facilities, the rural areas too must come into the picture. In fact, every district must develop the capacity to cater to the needs of the disabled, only then we will be able to call ourselves true citizens of the country propagating the message of brotherhood.

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