Editorial: Enabling inclusivity, in letter and spirit

It sought the removal of terminologies it considered “derogatory”, including divyang/divyangjan or mental retardation from use in spheres such as government regulations and websites, policies, legislation and public discourse. The petitioner had invoked a statement made by the UN’s Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) last year, that had marked the word divyangjan as controversial, in line with terms like mentally-ill. 

The Committee had also made a reference to the country’s Mental Health Care Act (2017), which uses such terms and sought to abolish the same. Interestingly, the word divyangjan was popularised by PM Narendra Modi when NDA came to power in New Delhi, in 2014. Then, he had suggested the use of this Hindi word, which means ‘divine limb’. It was controversial considering there weren’t any consultations made before the word was brought into official parlance. Terminologies might be the starting point to comprehend the state of people with disabilities (PwD) in India, who comprise as per Census 2011, 2.68 cr individuals, about 2.21 pc of the population (as per 2019 figures, number of PwD stood at 7 cr). 

A debate was set into motion in Tamil Nadu last month when parents of students with special needs, who were unable to attend the Class 10 exam, lamented their children, had not been declared pass, as most of them were to appear as private candidates. But, all regular school-going students were given pass marks by the government. The idea of preparing students with autism, learning disorders, or sensory disabilities, for an examination is daunting enough on ordinary days; throw in a pandemic and five months of isolation, and it’s a new set of challenges for all. For many parents, a point of concern was the safety aspect of sending children with disabilities into exam halls on Sept 21, keeping in mind social distancing. 

But this is not the first time PwD have been subjected to such indifference. Earlier in May, when the pandemic has not yet peaked, an analysis carried out by the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), an NGO from New Delhi claimed that the lockdown exacerbated hardships faced by differently-abled. The survey said more than 73% of those interviewed faced challenges owing to the lockdown. While 67% had no access to door delivery of essentials, 1 in 2 had no access to a government helpline and 23 pc of those had not obtained any financial aid. 

The ordeal faced by thousands could have been mitigated had the Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DIDRR) guidelines issued by the DEPwD been uniformly implemented. These guidelines include provisions for caregivers exempting them from lockdown restrictions and priority in obtaining passes. They also talk about setting up of a 24/7 state level helpline for PwD. The report however said that states including Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Nagaland, did a commendable job vis-avis PwD. In fact, Nagaland recently invoked the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act 2016 and mandated that all schools in the state that are recognised and registered by the local government will provide inclusive education to children with disabilities. 

There’s more to be done by both individuals, and the government. Even virtual classes will now need to be reimagined keeping in mind the needs of PwD. Subtitles and sign language for the hearing-challenged, as well as support for those with visual disabilities, such as audiobooks, screen readers, and Braille courseware, must be looked into. Also, corporate India must look at inclusive workspaces deeply, and not just as a CSR activity. But the change can truly start with us, with small gestures. From encouraging children to befriend that special child in the neighbourhood, to extending a helping hand to those facing such challenges in the time of need, inclusiveness must become a way of life.