Today is the International Day of the Disabled People:

Welcome regulations to make the 'disabled' equally able
 

BY DR. AJITH C. S. Perera

THE biggest minority group in Sri Lanka is made up of a wide range of people with restricted (and impaired) mobility, for different reasons. It is estimated that the numbers here adds up to about 15% of our population.

The most encouraging news is that regulations will soon be passed in Parliament to ensure that all new constructions provide adequate facilities for the disabled people to conveniently access buildings and public places as much as possible independently.

These regulations once enforced would empower a wide range of people.

They will give equal opportunities to everyone to enter and use any part of a built environment, and participate equally in mainstream activities, independently, with choice and with dignity.

The ultimate aim of these regulations is to be sensitive to changes in abilities that we all undergo and make certain that nobody is disadvantaged or socially excluded through inadequate facilities in buildings.

President's pledges

Those buildings used for residential purposes, commercial purposes (supermarkets, restaurants, banks, etc), recreational purposes (sports stadia, cinema, halls, art galleries), educational and social purposes (auditoriums, libraries, places of worship, educational institutes) and also public places (As botanical and zoological gardens, pedestrian crossings) will all come within these regulations.

It is also most encouraging to note from the 'Mahinda Chinthana' that President Mahinda Rajapakse has given the following key pledges.

(a). "To take action to enact legislation to protect the rights of the 'disabled' people". (b). "To ensure that convenient access facilities for 'disabled people' be provided as a matter of priority in all public buildings". (c). "To treat all 'disabled people' respectfully and without any discrimination".

These pledges will become reality, when steps are taken to pass in Parliament laws coming under the "Regulations to Access" Act. Due to the untiring efforts of Dr. (Mrs) Neela Gunasekera, Director 'Disability Secretariat', many hurdles have been cleared and it is expected that enforcement regulations will soon be in place.

For whose benefit?

It is misconception that only wheelchair users need barrier-free environments and that making a 'Slope' will solve all problems. Accessibility is NOT just an issue for disAbled people.

It makes participation easier and more effective to a wide range of people, both young and elderly, pregnant mothers, people with heavy luggage and small children, and even to those with difficulties in seeing, hearing and moving.

It is neither practical no healthy to prolong charity based social welfare work. Such will only impose unwanted added burdens on society.

The international community too through ongoing efforts of the United Nations has repeatedly stressed that the rights of the 'Disabled People' require much more attention than in the context of community based rehabilitation and social welfare, (which we have only been doing so far) and must include the full range human rights.

We thus must soon provide the individualised support, encouragement and morale boost each would require to get back 'on their feet' again and make them as much as possible independent, productive and resourceful citizens with considerably improved quality of life than before. These regulations will create the appropriate environments for these to happen.

Major breakthrough

"Attitudes and choices you make today,

Build the house we live in tomorrow."

It is indeed encouraging to know that a handful of business organisations, such as, the Commercial Bank, Taj Samudara Hotel, CEI Plastics, and CINEC Maritime Campus, in the fields of banking, hotel industry and education, have voluntarily responded positively over the past few months.

These organisations have also realised their corporate social responsibility and moral commitment to the society in which they do business, at least within their boundaries.

In initiating remedial action to produce the desired results, they make the 'Disabled People' feel that they too are equally able and not "Differently Able".

In fact in our ever-widening diverse world, "Everybody's Different'. Many of us still act on old habits and outdated beliefs, as our brain is 'wired' to notice "ability differences' and react according to label injuriously some of us as 'Differently Able'!

'Disability' is no more regarded as a condition some people have within themselves. 'Disability' in fact is a 'disadvantaged state' that anyone at any time can be dragged in by our own 'Structural and Attitudinal Barriers' in outside environments of the society, in being unable to perform one or more major life activities with inevitable changes in their physical abilities.

"Enabling the disabled"

There are many ways to improve accessibility and promote the number of 'Enabling Environments'. A voluntarily formed group of people and a not-for-profit humanitarian service organisation under the name "Idiriya", has come forward to campaign and arouse and stimulate interest on this subject and thereby induce positive change in attitudes of stakeholder and people of Sri Lanka in general.

Their efforts here are focused towards emPowering the disAbled People' to gain employment opportunities and thereby alleviate poverty.

Institutions such as banks, supermarkets, hotels, places of education, conference centres, and sports stadia considerably fall short in providing their services equally to every one, especially to those with physical and "sensory limitations."

As such they no more are truly customer caring organisations. For survival and growth of any business, customer care is of critical importance.

We need not wait ineptly and waste more time until things become mandatory by law. An all inclusive society will only happen if everyone is voluntarily committed and plays their part.

In this regard, proper advice preferably from a wheelchair user, is essential to make certain that the basics are appropriate and placed right.

The writer, a paraplegic, has been an active voluntary disability advocate for over a decade. With insight gained coupled with his wide experience, he has made significant contributions in decision-making at various discussions concerning the disabled people and since 2001, has spearheaded the campaign for "All Inclusive Built Environments" in Sri Lanka.