7. Discussion of Findings - Recommendations from Interviewees

When asked about what they thought was needed to be done in order to overcome current situations of discrimination and human rights abuses experienced by people with disabilities, respondents advanced a number of recommendations as presented on table.

Economic Supports

31 Interviewees expressed the need for some form of financial support, especially from the Government, be it in the form of loans, technical and vocational training leading to employment, so that their lives would improve and they would be able to lead more respectful lives, with dignity. They also expressed apathy that though the government was capable, it was not taking any measures at all for looking after the welfare of the people with disabilities in the state, as the following statements show:

I have a strong belief that if the government were to come forward at this point and help me out in one way or the other and create greater opportunities on an equal basis regarding livelihoods, then I would also be able to live on equal terms with non-disabled persons. But this is something that the government is not doing and should most definitely do and take up. I think if there is no support from the government especially, then the chances of my living long is not possible and this is true of every disabled person in this society today.

I wish either the government or the others in society were to give me some form of a job, like maybe as a sweeper or watering plants and trees, cleaning the windows and glass doors, or something like that I would be always in the forefront to do such work and be able to live a better and dignified life.

Transport facilities should be made keeping in mind the needs of the disabled, good drinking water should be made accessible to each and every disabled, even health facilities should be available. Education should be free for all and meals should be provided for the families of disabled people and the poorest people.

Raise Awareness

20 Interviewees suggested that the levels of awareness regarding the problems and issues of the persons with disabilities should be raised, and that this sensitization process should begin with the immediate family members of the family of the person with a disability,

First of all there should be respect and recognition from the family of the disabled themselves. The first thing that needs to be eliminated is the disparagement and discrimination by the very family members of the disabled person. Their issues have to be identified and they should be given counseling both at the family and societal levels and thereby remove the discrimination meted out to the disabled people. The disabled should develop fighting skills, to fight for what is theirs. We have been pushed back in society for so long that this process would not be easy but would take a little more time to get recognition in society as equal members.

At the same time the role of the other civil society organizations also was stressed by the Interviewees in raising awareness regarding the issues of persons with disabilities,

But lot of people and agencies have to come together to ensure that this sensitization happens, agencies like the central and state governments, voluntary organizations, people, departments, and it should not be left as a sole responsibility for the disabled people to accomplish by themselves.

Interviewees with persons with Speech and Hearing impairments emphasized the need for the universal knowledge of sign language in the society:

Right from childhood itself, if sign language were to be taught to children by teachers as just another subject along with the others, it will become quite common. If the non-disabled were to encounter people like me, then it would become easy for them, as they have already studied the same as a subject, to converse with us easily.

And,

I think that each and every government officer in all the districts of the state should be taught to speak the sign language compulsorily because in case a person like me goes there for some work, even if it were to apply for a job, then they would be able to respond much more friendlily, would be able to understand our problems and help us in one way or the other. So it is my sincere request for whoever is concerned that at least the higher officials of every office in each district should be given training in speaking and understanding sign language.

Social Supports

All the interviewees stressed the role of the government in taking up appropriate measures for bringing awareness to people and sensitizing them and also emphasized that these measures should be stringently implemented, including dissemination of the all the schemes and entitlements for people with disabilities,

Though livelihood and access to employment is the most important thing for most f persons with disabilities in this study 17 Interviewees said that not just livelihood but other aspects of their lives was also important,

The Quota allocated for the disabled people should be availed by the disabled people first. It is not some one or two persons’ property to be distributed at their will to whom they like. Whatever scheme or Government Order might be released by the Government should be informed to all the disabled people immediately. It is the government responsibility to ensure that we also enjoy equal status in society. If we were kept informed, through the agency of the voluntary organizations, then we would also be able to enjoy those benefits. We would be able to come out of our miserable lives with that form of support, then we can show you how ready we are to struggle and work hard to better our lives and the society as well.

And that people with disabilities should be given access to proper food,

Instead of just the pension, government should ensure that all disabled get to eat at least two square meals in a day.

At the same time, that the proper health of the persons with disabilities should be ensured by the government,

I feel if the government were to take some measures to see that I become healthy again and am able to take up work it would be good. I think that at least as long as I live, I should be provided the proper medication for whatever this ailment of mine is, so that I could at least live a painless life, as long as I am alive.

Legislation

11 Interviewees discussed the importance of amendments to the present measures for ensuring the equal opportunities for persons with disabilities, or at least greater stringency in the implementation of the same, as can be seen from the below statements:

I am of the strong belief that the 3% Reservation that is being given to the disabled should be increased to a higher percent by the government.

Also, the government should ensure that private sector companies also employ disabled persons, if it brings out Rules that if a certain percentage of its employees are disabled then the company will receive some incentive or tax exemption or something similar.

I am of the strong opinion also that government officials should take stringent measures to ensure that people do not call the disabled people by their disability names, like cripple or lame, which is normally the case in the villages.

One Interviewee, in fact, stressed the fact that mere mouthing of words of support were not enough, but it must be seen in action,

An organization or group of disabled people should be formed and a leader should be elected for this group and they should work to ensure that the government brings out a Government Order to see to it that there is no violence on disabled or any form of humiliation and to see that such things do not occur for the disabled, both the officers and the people in general, the nearest family members of the disabled, like their siblings, are made aware so that the disabled also can find a definite place for themselves in society. It would really be good if some steps were taken like that because it has become a matter of fact that disabled must face humiliation and pain and live a life of misery and difficulties.

Peer Support

The number of Interviewees who expressed that they would be able to gain respect and dignity as well as equality in society through peer support (10), representation (9) and respect

(8) were 10 or less each. Speaking about peer support or the importance of forming into groups, to fight against the problems dogging them, the interviewees said,

We want to form into groups because I think we would be able to get lot of respect just like the women’s groups today are getting from society.

All the disabled people should form into a group and must be united in fighting against any injustice against them and only then do I think there will be change in society.

Representation

As far as Representation is concerned one of the Interviewees expressed the following way, which was what was shared by the others who stressed on Representation as well:

We should be able to put forward our problems in front of the Government, all over the state. It is of no use if an individual disabled person speaks about his or her problems. Any solution becomes possible only if there are many voices.

Respect

Regarding Respect, one of the Interviewees had to say, as did everyone else,

I think that not just disabled persons like me who is speech and hearing impaired but everyone should live well in society, should be able to respect each other. I think this way because after all, what runs through their veins is blood and in our veins also runs blood, we are all the same in that way.

And some others believe education was one of the crucial components for people with disabilities to gain respect from the others in society,

If we are educated well, we will gain respect from the society. Be it disabled or non-disabled, if he or she is not educated, then they are not valued or respected by the society. Also, if we are educated, then we would know what the society is and how to live in it with respect.

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