Anushree Belwariar | Centre for Rights of Differently-Abled (Symbiosis Law School, Hyderbad) | 5th November 2019
Disability is the phenomena where a person suffers from some kind of medical ailment or deformity which either be mental or physical. The person may has a medical condition by birth or it may be the product of an accident or a mishap. Either way the person is ‘categorised’ as a disabled or a differently abled person by the society. The world does not look up to them with dignity rather sympathy. And many a times, with disrespect and treat them as stigma to the society. The instances of discrimination are horrendous in nature but what is truly compelling and needs to come on a permanent pause is the ill treatment with the disabled, especially the younger population and the young adults.
During the adolescence years, a child is constantly growing, changing and evolving. The age of adolescence is the first encounter of a teen with ideas and notions of the society. This is the age where a person starts developing his or her mind. A mind which is ready to seek knowledge the world has to offer yet is naïve to completely understand the evils of the society. How erroneous and wrong is it, if at such tender age, a child is forced to undergo the trauma and abuse because of his or her ‘disability’. The constant ignorance from peers, the mal treatment from relatives and in few cases, obliviousness from the parents. The child is entirely unaware of what he did wrong and starts questioning his every move and every mistake. Children at this age tend to over think and over analyze a situation which is unpleasant to them. This in return ups their stress and anxiety levels which interrupts in their growing process.
A country like India, promises the curriculum of inclusive education among the children in schools to make the differently abled kids feel as a welcomed part of the society. But in reality, it is quite tough to spot schools and educational institutions which follow this provision in all its totality.
At the least, the countries should take in view the problems faced by the young teens and adolescents who suffer from any kind of ailment and make sure that they are not subjected to unequal treatment because of their condition. To nurture these young minds, there should be institutions and therapy classes along with an inclusive learning school curriculum. The teens should be encouraged to participate in co-curricular activities along with the people who are not suffering from any kind of ailment to give a sense of belonging. A medical condition does not define who a person is and what he is capable to achieve.
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