Towards an able

"Make Sri Lanka Disabled Friendly" – this is the slogan on the bright yellow wristband introduced as a part of a creative, socially conscious venture launched recently. Directed towards elevating a group of promising, yet largely over-looked citizens of the country, the initiative is a part of a larger project.

The yellow wristband will essentially signify the fact that a collective effort should be made toward creating a disabled friendly environment in the country. Such an environment will then be conducive for individuals with physical or mental disabilities to freely to pursue their own interests, instead of limiting their aspirations due to the day-to-day obstacles they face. Disability most importantly needs to be lived with, and acceptance, inclusion, and encouragement is what is essential.

A major part of creating awareness is the message that everyone wearing the yellow wristband is in support of a disabled friendly nation. It is significant that yellow portrays feelings of hope, happiness and sunshine – all integral aspects of a healthy and fulfilling existence. A walk to mark a "Disable Friendly Week," scheduled for the second or third week of November, which will promote this cause and create further awareness, accompanies the launching of the wristband.

The Management Club (TMC) formed under the auspices of The Chartered Management Institute – UK, Sri Lanka branch, in its initial stages of addressing "Corporate Social Responsibility," decided to focus its attention on the 1.7 million or more disabled citizens of Sri Lanka, this being a pressing issue in the country. A separate entity called "Enable the Disabled" (ETD), was born as a result of this, with a unique logo being designed and launched.

In depth research done by the TMC members, showed facts regarding the acceptance and involvement of disabled individuals in society and how far Sri Lanka has gone with legislation regarding policies intended for them. The findings weren't favourable, and so was followed by many awareness programmes were held islandwide.

"We felt that such a wristband would help people identify with this issue and help change its focus from disabilities, to the numerous abilities within these people said Jazaya Khaleel Mohinadeen, secretary, ETM and project chairman, and wristband project. "If given the right guidance and support, we could effectively utilize this segment of society and make them a part of the work force of the country," adds Romero Linden, ETD committee member and coordinator of the ETD walkathon.

According to Charmaine Vanderhoeven, Chairman, ETD, the project focuses on meeting with organisations dealing with people with disabilities, and working towards creating equal rights and playing fields for this segment of society. "We as a society need to move away from considering disability as a stigma. We need to create a mind frame where we learn to accept that this could happen to anyone, and so move forward without letting it hinder your progress."

Changing the perspectives of young people regarding disability is one of the main focuses of ETD. "The notion that people with disabilities are an important part of our society needs to be instilled in the minds of young people, from a young age. This acceptance, would enable them to lend them a hand in order to progress," said Jazaya. As a part of creating awareness among young people, the wristband launched will be distributed to schools, Leo Clubs, Interact Clubs and the Rotary. "Working through the corporate sector, networking of the project island wide, in areas such as Kandy, Galle and Kurunegala, will be done in the recent future," she added.

Yet another venture by ETD is the "Dirijaya Awards," which recognises disabled individuals with various achievements. Having held them twice so far, these awards are presented under categories such as sports, entrepreneurship, academic, professional and performance.

So this is the chance for all you socially conscious individuals out there to contribute to the process of making disability a conquerable obstacle in life. Wear a wristband and do your bit to"Make Sri Lanka Disabled Friendly."