MONDAY, JUNE 17, 2024
Blaise Costabir
Roughly twenty years ago, a visually impaired infant was abandoned in a dustbin near a railway station. Fortunately, divine intervention led to her rescue, and now that very infant, known as the “miracle baby,” has successfully passed the Maharashtra Public Service Commission examination and is preparing to commence her employment as a clerk-typist at Mantralaya in Mumbai.
When she was discovered by the authorities, they escorted her to a shelter facility. Subsequently, she was transferred to a residence dedicated to individuals with visual and auditory impairments. A distinguished individual, Padmashree S Papalkar graciously took her under her tutelage and instructed her in the art of braille. Following this, she successfully attained her postgraduate degree and undertook the MPSC examination. Currently, she harbours ambitions of challenging the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination in pursuit of becoming an IAS officer. Our miracle baby is truly an inspiration, as it seems like divine intervention manifested in the form of ordinary people who facilitated miraculous occurrences at every juncture of her professional journey.
This narrative is sure to evoke strong emotions and evoke sympathy and good wishes for a prosperous future. However, such stories are all too common in our society, often going unnoticed due to our preoccupied lives. It is probable that her biological parents relinquished her due to her visual impairment, a situation they may have felt ill-equipped to handle given their impoverished upbringing.
The report piqued my interest as I recalled encountering a vibrant young woman just last week. Her liveliness masked the fact that she was visually impaired, making it all the more surprising when she disclosed her legal blindness ten minutes into our conversation. This remarkable individual grapples with a hereditary condition that has gradually eroded her eyesight with no available remedy. Nevertheless, she has achieved a postgraduate degree and pursued studies in two different countries before ultimately returning to settle in Goa.
She was forthright in her observations regarding the facilities in India, particularly in Goa, in comparison to those abroad. There seems to be a lack of consideration, especially for individuals with disabilities. The primary issue identified was the inadequate public transportation system. Even for able-bodied individuals, accessing public transportation in Goa and India poses a significant challenge. One noticeable improvement in recent years has been the enhanced accessibility, with most government and some private buildings now equipped with wheelchair ramps. This development marks a promising beginning.
Another visible change is the provision of facilities for individuals with disabilities, such as specially designed toilets. However, in terms of infrastructure, these developments are limited, as there is a notable absence of braille signage.
The two instances mentioned above are more of an anomaly than the norm. How can we as a society facilitate the integration and inclusion of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of life? To initiate this process, it is imperative that we start with our educational institutions. Rather than having separate schools for differently abled individuals, mainstream schools should be equipped to accommodate them while ensuring their safety.
This will require additional efforts and improved infrastructure within schools, such as accessible toilets, ramps, and consideration for seating arrangements. The young woman explained that while she was fortunate to be able to attend a regular school by sitting in the front row to see, it posed a challenge for the students behind her due to her height. On the other hand, sitting at the back prevented her from having a clear view.
Braille, sign language can be options for the third language, this would not only encourage kids to communicate with specially abled but also future ready some of them for careers in special education.
The young woman was employed by a technology company that equipped her with the essential computer and software required to carry out her responsibilities. The remarkable infant will have the ability to listen to her keystrokes, or even utilize speech-to-text technology, highlighting a significant advantage of modern technology over previous methods. These technological advancements should be utilised to facilitate the faster integration of individuals with disabilities.
The corporate sector is currently focused on fostering inclusiveness in the workforce. Nevertheless, there is still ample room for improvement. One key area for enhancement involves showcasing opportunities for employing individuals with diverse abilities, thereby increasing awareness among other employees both about what areas are feasible and safe and success stories Raising And Accelerating MSME Productivity (RAMP) - The scheme is an initiative by the Government of India to provide financial assistance and support to MSMEs for enhancing their productivity and competitiveness.
Under this skill development trainings can be used to make ready specially abled employees for taking up positions in industry. There is also an awareness-building module, this module should include success stories of how specially abled have contributed to the workforce.
The government of India has initiated a training program to prepare individuals for employment in the solar energy sector while also promoting entrepreneurship in this field. This initiative aims to facilitate the transition of 10 million households to solar power. Similarly, a targeted program is needed to assist individuals with disabilities in accessing the job market.
The government has the authority to designate a particular route, for instance, from Panaji to Margao, and concentrate on improving its accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Once the challenges are addressed, this approach can be extended to other routes. Vistara airlines has incorporated sign language in the video for safety instructions and braille is being utilised in many elevators; more entities can emulate these practices or the government can enforce regulations to ensure compliance.
In order to effect change, educational institutions, the general public, both Central and State governments, and the industrial sector must collaborate to facilitate the seamless inclusion of individuals with unique needs and talents in a wide array of daily endeavours.
(The author prefers to write rather than chat in a balcao)
