Yesterday the world celebrated International Persons with Disability Day. Like days dedicated to a particular cause or issue, the internet was flooded with messages, wishes, and success stories. However, I will not talk about how we all are equal. It is not something you will learn from reading this article, probably you will take cognizance of how you might not have been so far. Moving ahead, I will point out a few incidents spanning over the last few months that pinpoints how we still lack sensitization. How we have failed to not respect and take cognizance of 15% of the population of the world.
In the latest, Wheelchair Cricket India Association CEO Sqn Ldr Abhai Pratap Singh (Retd) took Twitter to point out some major accessibility issues at Lucknow Airport. In the tweet, he writes, “Ticket Counters of all Airlines are not accessible to any Divyangs. Not even a ramp is there. They don’t expect Persons with Disabilities to visit them ever”. He tagged @AdaniOnline who has taken over the airport. Asking @LucknowAirport@AAI_Official @DGCAIndia to answer his queries.
Ticket Counters of all Airlines are not accessible to any Divyangs. Not even a ramp is there.
— अभय हूँ मैं (@flyboyabhai) December 1, 2021
They don’t expect Persons with Disabilities to visit them ever. @AdaniOnline has taken over the airport.@LucknowAirport @AAI_Official @DGCAIndia
Is that allowed? pic.twitter.com/gPgjvlPUYp
He further tweeted –
यहाँ जानते हुए accessible route पर अपनी सहूलियत के लिए obstruction रख दिए गए हैं ।
— अभय हूँ मैं (@flyboyabhai) December 1, 2021
“आता कौन हैं ?“
Everybody wants to be compared with West. Thought Process is still deep inside the earth.
ख़ाली बातें करने से और नाम “दिव्यांग” कर देने से कुछ नहीं बदलने वाले । pic.twitter.com/Pun7NzqROr
“Tactile ends abruptly anywhere. Doesn’t lead to an accessible washroom. No counters for Divyangs. Lots of places have been removed in between for no rhyme or reason”, he adds.
In the span of two days, Sqn Ldr Abhai Pratap Singh (Retd.) points out another incident defining the lack of sensitization to the utmost level.
On the day of International Person of Disabilities (December 3rd) he tweets,
Travelling from Indore to Kolkata with @IndiGo6E
— अभय हूँ मैं (@flyboyabhai) December 3, 2021
They have taken my wheelchair and put me on a passive wheelchair. Attendant has left me sitting at a point. I can’t move.
Now flight is delayed.
I have to sit at same point for next two hours or till someone has mercy on me.
“Not that I can not sit at a place for hours but than, Why? Why can’t they allow Wheelchair Users to be in their active Wheelchairs till boarding gates? Why do you have to make us feel disabled when we don’t want to?”
“India has more medals in Paralympics than Olympics. What more do we need to do to prove our ability? When will the Indian Government actually wake up to the rights of persons with disabilities?” he tweets.
In October, Sudha Chandran, through her Instagram pointed out that she is upset by the airport authorities for always asking her to remove her artificial limb for security checks. In the video posted, she was seen requesting Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to issue a specific card for specially challenged senior citizens like her so that they can avoid being humiliated by the airport authorities.
The Everyday Struggle
These challenges faced by the people are a big question towards the disability activism and that to it was with such profound faces, now imagine the condition of an ordinary man. These incidents were a highlight towards a broader picture. A picture that you and I would have missed.
Why?
Because we go by the empty words and hollow promises of the system, and organization. We don’t face challenges on an everyday basis. We show content and appreciation for a display of accessibility and do not question the dysfunctionality.
Imagine the state of affairs of an ordinary common person with a disability. How can such systemic injustice crush their confidence? How would they feel when their needs are not acknowledged? Who should they complain to? Will you recognize their tweets? Forget the tweets, will you take cognizance and attempt to stand with them?
What can you do?
Recognize their issues. Observe and try to ask questions. Give priority to a person with a disability. Society needs to be sensitized. If you are aware, try and educate at least your family, friends, that is the least you can do. This is a systemic injustice prevailing and adding to the already stigmatized society. Don’t be a part of that narrowed society.
Then only you are contributing to making society inclusive. Your mind needs inclusivity first.
