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Crippling indifference
With the International Day for the Disabled falling on Tuesday, December 3, author, chemist and former cricket umpire Ajith C. S. Perera, tragically disabled in an accident, writes of society's callousness and lack of opportunities for the disabled

More than 10 percent of Sri Lanka's population, over 1.5 million people are 'disabled' according to the International Labour Organization.

Accidents and illnesses are now two major contributors to this number that's increasing daily. With a halt to the war, our inability to effectively enforce discipline as well as law and order on the roads for motorists and pedestrians has become a major concern.

Kidney and heart diseases as well as strokes, are also now debilitating illnesses of the younger generation.

Hence the frightening facts are that the chances of their occurring among the young are now alarmingly on the increase in Sri Lanka. Fate, as we know, is no respecter of persons and position, and the risks of anyone suddenly becoming disabled are high.

Disability is not a medical problem. The outdated medical model identified one's functional limitations, physical, sensory or mental as disabilities and hence came that dismal term 'People with Disabilities'.

This made society believe that the problem lies with the individual and projected a false negative image about the disabled.

It also led to dehumanising views, where the nature and severity of one's functional limitations were stressed. It resulted in the segregation of people, indicating that the disabled cannot do this and that like other people, but are only 'differently able'. It also propagated prejudiced attitudes about the disabled.

Tragically, local authorities have failed to initiate, implement and promote awareness programmes through the media to educate the public on these issues and to project a positive image of the disabled. This is a major blow to the 1.5 million of us in this country in our zest to be productive and resourceful citizens.

Disability is a grave social problem and a grievous human rights issue in Sri Lanka. It is time that the people of Sri Lanka understand well and truly what disability is and how one becomes a disabled person. They could then actively support the disabled on the principles of equality of opportunities and equality of treatment in all spheres of daily living, which are still denied us.

Disability is a problem of exclusion and isolation through denial of opportunities and legitimate rights. It is the outcome of society imposing 'structural and attitudinal barriers' on people with physical, sensory or mental functional limitations.

These in turn forcibly deny access to physical environments, goods, facilities and services. Disability hence is the denial or restriction of activity caused by outside society, which disregards and ignores functional limitations people have.

As the wearer of these shoes for the past ten years, I know where it really hurts us most and what really discrimination is. These critical needs remain unresolved even after ten years of vociferous appealing.

They block a good million people from becoming as independent as possible in attending to our daily living activities and deny us the opportunity to handle and solve even our day-to-day affairs. They shatter our ambitions and expectations of gainful employment, access to knowledge, recreation, travel, holidays, etc., facilities enjoyed by fellow citizens in the same society and oppress our gaining socio-economic stability.

Wheelchair users, who make up a good 0.6 million of the disabled, are the worst affected. Once placed in such a state, we then are trapped in the vicious cycle of marginalisation, poverty and social exclusion. What we hear are sweet words and false promises.

Over the past ten years, have any of these critical problems been solved? What percentage of gainful employment opportunities have been afforded to the disabled, wheelchair users in particular? Almost nil.

At which places have barrier-free environments been made enabling access to available facilities? Sadly nowhere. Which hotels and leisure centres can proudly say that they now provide opportunities for recreation and holidaying for wheelchair users? Hardly any.

Even after laws were passed, the authorities responsible have failed to implement and enforce protection for a single right. We are at the end of the Asian and Pacific Decade of the Disabled. What promised results have we seen? Recently National Policies on Employment, Education and Health were formulated and forwarded. To what extent have the authorities acted to address the critical needs of the disabled and safeguard our basic rights?

It is agonising for us to continue to receive 'deaf ears and blind eyes' to these appeals. "There are none so blind and deaf as those who see and hear, but do not perceive."

We see an encouraging contrast with respect to the armed services. Within just two years of establishment, the Rana Viru Seva Authority has produced good results in critical areas of need. That's because they have a clear vision, and a team of dedicated people moving with a sense of urgency and sincere commitment!

However, as these few critical issues concerning the disabled in civil society remain unresolved, these gallant heroes too are unable to move freely and mix equally with their dearest and nearest, other than in Ranaviru Villages.

We now need the active support of each and every Sri Lankan. A good starting point is to identify few key places in your city and town based on business, educational, social, recreational, cultural, or religious values.

Then expeditiously remove the existing structural barriers and welcome the disabled. Business clubs and business establishments, NGOs and all social services organisations, along with Municipal and Town Councils, should help us, by including at least one such small project in their annual calendar of activities.

Presently we only receive the active support of the print media. We also urgently need TV stations on a regular basis, to project a positive image of the disabled and to create in society, healthy attitudes. The vital question is "Are the authorities, even now, willing to afford us the opportunities?"


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