Ajit John
The state elections are scheduled for next month. It is a very important aspect of the democratic process. It is an opportunity for everyone to make their voice known and give their view on the performance of the party in power. Every section of society makes it a point to participate. The differently abled in the state also make an attempt to participate in this exercise. According to conservative estimates in the state there are approximately around thirty thousand people with different disabilities living in the state. This is approximately two percent of the population. The election process is a complex administrative matter which requires coordination across the state. The needs of the people with disabilities are varied and have to be tackled to ensure they can participate in the process.Vishant Nagvekar has been fighting for accessibility and other issues related to disability. He said the government had made claims that this time the polling booth would be accessible to people with disabilities. Vishant said “I have seen some work going on in certain places meaning polling booths like the construction of ramps. I however found that four of them had no proper gradient or handles. The government has to make requirements for the proper infrastructure. Ramps with gradients, parking availability with a reserved parking board and availability of wheel chairs at the booth have to be made available. In addition people have to be present to help senior citizens at the booth”. He said the number of disabilities recognized by the state had increased from seven to twenty one. People he said still think in terms of locomotive disability. Vishant said two major disabilities were ignored ie people with visual impairment and those with a hearing impairment. Vishant said people who were visually impaired needed instructions in Braille or audio instructions. Those who were visually impaired need sign language interpreters or staff at the booth need to be trained in the language. This would help make the booth more accessible. He went on to say the chief electoral officer should have a list of the hearing impaired and they should provide a session in sign language online to help them understand what needs to be done. He said the Chief Election officer Kunal had taken several good initiatives and he had organised several programs to generate awareness among st people with disability. Vishant expressed the hope everyone would be able to cast their vote this time thus guaranteeing a result that would be expression of the will of all the people. Finally he said arrangements were made for those with benchmark disabilities which was forty percent and above and senior citizens who were above eighty to cast their votes via postal ballot.Attempts to contact officials of the election commission proved futile. One can only the system falls into place and this important section of society will be able to cast their votes peacefully and without much hassle.