3rd December- International Day of Person with Disabilities, writes Dr. Bipul Barthakur

According to WHO world report, about 15% population of world are disabled person and as such more than 1 billion people are living with some sort of disability. It is estimated that about 450 million people are living with mental and neurological condition and 2/3rd of them needs professional medical health service. About 69 million peoples are estimated to sustain brain injury each year worldwide. 1 out of 160 children are identified as autism spectrum.

Throughout the world 3rd December is celebrated as International Day of Person with Disability since 1992 and importance of the day is basically to promote the understanding of disability issues and supports for dignity, rights, and wellbeing of the person with disability in aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. In this context United Nation Organization for awareness among the member countries had observe 1981 as the international year of disabled person with an emphasis on equalization of opportunities on rehabilitation and prevention of disabilities. Subsequently 1983 to 1992 the whole decade was dedicated for the disabled person so that during this period different governments and organization can implement the activities recommended by UNO for the welfare of the disabled persons.

Subsequently in March 2000, leaders of six international disability NGOs, along with about 20 regional and national disability organization adopted the “Beijing declaration on the rights of the persons with disabilities in the new millennium”. In this convention resolution was taken for equal rights and barrier free environment for the disabled person. On 13th December 2006 in New York under the leadership of UNO, convention on rights of persons with disability was organized where 160 countries were signatories. In the convention a resolution was taken that all human rights are universally indivisible, inter-dependent and interrelated, and to promote, protect and ensure full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedom by all person with disability and promote respect and dignity. India was one important signatory in the convention and was also bound to take steps in this direction for welfare of the disabled in India.

Every year United Nation uses a theme on 3rd December for celebration on empowerment of the persons with disabilities. In 2020 the theme is “NOT ALL DISABILITIES ARE VISIBLE”. It also focuses on spreading awareness and understanding of disabilities that are not immediately apparent such as mental illness, chronic pain or fatigue, sight or hearing impairment, diabetes, brain injuries, neurological disorders, learning disorders and cognitive disorders among others.

In India like other countries disabled persons were not getting due rights, respect and dignity. Most of the time they are away from the mainstream society and they were used for purpose of amusement. The attention towards this was drawn to the society after the First and Second World War. Many persons returned to their country with disabilities. It then became a big problem for the society to rehabilitate them for a dignified life.

Subsequently various countries opted their various policies to rehabilitate disabled persons. On later part of the last century UNO played a vital role for a dignified uniform welfare policies throughout the world so that disabled person should not be alienated from mainstream of society and they should also have equal rights with a dignified life with equal involvement in the society. For this purpose Govt. of India has also taken various measures and started various policies and enacted laws. Though there were various laws for the disabled person during British era but most significant laws came in to force from 1995 known as PWD (Person With Disability) Act. This PWD Act was enacted so that we the Indian citizen give due honor, respect and rights to the disabled one lawfully and their equal participation beneficial for disabled person and to ensure their equal rights with a quality life.

However, this Act only identified seven disabilities- Locomotors disability, Blindness, Low vision, Psychiatric illness, hearing impairment, leprosy cured and mental retardation. But subsequently this was replaced by another law in 2016 RPWD (Rights of Persons With Disabilities) Act which have increased types of disabilities from seven to twenty one. It includes: Blindness, Low vision, Leprosy cured persons, Loco motor disability, Dwarfism, Intellectual disability, Mental illness, Cerebral palsy, Specific learning disabilities, Speech and language disabilities, hearing impairment, Muscular dystrophies, Acid attack, Parkinson’s, Multiple sclerosis, Thalassemia, Hemophilia, Sickle cell disease, Autism spectrum disorders, Chronic neurological conditions, Multiple disabilities including deaf blindness.

They entitled concessions for transportation, Reservations in jobs, Easy loans on low interest rates, educational benefits, service benefits etc. Now Government has made a plan for benefits of disabled persons to get certificates from every district headquarters under guidance of social welfare officers and joint director. Every district has a committee comprising joint director, social director office and medical expert so that every disabled person can be issued disability certificate easily. District courts function for redressal of their grievances also.

By RPWD Act 2016, if anybody insults or misbehaves with a disable person, there is provision in IPC to punish these people with fine and jail and now functional special district courts are there to redress their problems. To enjoy benefits a disabled must have 40% disability. If disability is less than 40% no certificates will be issued. Now Govt. is planning to process a UDID (Unique Disability ID Card) . This card will be valid throughout the country to enjoy benefits just like Pan card and Aadhar card.

(Dr. Bipul Barthakur is the Prof. & Head Of Department of Orthopaedics, SMCH, Silchar.)