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Differently-abled still denied their right to equality- Activists
View(s):Activists claimed that, while the Government is taking measures to enact Right to Information (RTI) legislation, the country’s differently-abled were still being denied their right to equality, despite Sri Lanka having ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
“Persons with restricted ability make up Sri Lanka’s largest and most disadvantaged minority,” said activist Dr Ajith Perera, a wheelchair user since 1992.
He said the country’s population of over-65-years will soon reach 17%, of which a significant number would, for different reasons, spend time living with deficiency in ability- to move, see, hear or to establish physical coordination. “However, we are, still, routinely discriminated against and deprived of our basic rights- even for our education and gainful employment, in spite of being suitably qualified- resembling third-class citizens.”
Dr Perera further said it was imperative to move quickly to ensure that the transition from exclusion to growing equality is rapid, and for the differently-abled to lead fulfilling lives as students, workers and citizens enjoying access to society on an equal basis with others.
However, he stressed this will not be possible unless the Government recognised the need to enforce existing legislation to ensure the rights of the differently-abled.