What is disabilities
Disability is part of being human. Estimated 1.3 billion people – or 16% of the world's population – now live with some significant disability.We wish to impart our abilities to all those who possess the aptitude and drive to develop their ability as well.Disabilities that comprises Locomotor Disability, Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment, Speech & Language Disability, Intellectual Disability, Multiple Disabilities, Cerebral Palsy, Dwarfism etc. that makes a barrier-free environment and facilitates accessibility in public infrastructure and the transport system.This figure is growing partly because of population ageing and a rise in the spread of noncommunicable diseases.
Challenges Faced by People with Disabilities
Behavioral: Stereotyping and stigma, prejudice and discrimination form part of these barriers. Individuals with disabilities die younger, report poorer health, and have more impairment in daily functioning than the remainder of the population as a result of health inequities.
Limited Accessibility: These health inequities are the result of unjust circumstances that disproportionately impact individuals with disabilities, such as stigma, discrimination, poverty, exclusion from education and work, and barriers in the health system itself.Physical barriers hinder or obstruct a person's mobility or prevent access to something.
Educational Gaps: Many disabled people still lack access to quality education and resources. children ever enter school, if they finish primary education, if they finish secondary education, and if they are literate.
Social : They are social determinants of health-related conditions in which individuals are born, grow, live, learn, work and age—and can cause impaired functioning in people with disability.Social barriers pertain to the social conditions in which individuals are born, grow, live, learn, work, and age—or social determinants of health—that can lead to loss of functioning among individuals with disabilities. Examples of social barriers include:
Solutions and Initiatives for Empowerment
Improving Educational Support
Schools and institutions of higher learning need to provide accessible learning materials, adaptive technologies, and special support services. Scholarships and training for individuals with disabilities can narrow the gap in education.
Increasing Accessibility : Governments and organizations must prioritize universal design in physical infrastructure and digital spaces. Assistive technologies such as screen readers, voice-activated programs, and mobility devices must be more accessible and affordable.
Growing Employment Prospects : Organizations have to ensure inclusive hiring methods and provide the necessary accommodations for disabled employees. Promoting working from home and flexible working styles can allow greater numbers of disabled individuals to become part of the labor market.
What You Need to Know:-)
Disability Rights and Policies
RPwD Act, 2016, rules & assessment guidelines
National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999
Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992
Standards/Guidelines notified under the Rights for Persons with Disabilities Rules 2017
Conclusion:
Disability rights and disability policies are crucial in the creation of an open society and a just society. Although some advancement has been made, we must keep on breaking down barriers and opening the door of opportunity to people with disabilities equal to those of all others. With support, understanding, and commitment, we can make access and inclusion the standard, not the anomaly.