Daily Times

He had to tackle difficulties at an early age. He struggled but overcome the challenges. After a few years, the situation become easier. His empire kept expanding and afforded him the opportunity to devise new tactics and strategies in battleground, in communications and in administration. Every challenge he faced left him stronger.

He demonstrated artistic dexterity as well as unparalleled military skills. His empire stretched from the Hindukash in the west to Bengal in the east, from Kashmir in the north to Malwa in the south. The world knows him as Akbar the Great. His charismatic personality is well recorded and admired. One of its unique fearures was dyslexia – the learning (dis)ability.

His father took him to a battleground at the age of 10 years. After the death of his father, he had to assume leadership of his group of warriors. Soon, his group started dominatig others in a lawless region. Defeating all rivals, he became the un-opposed head of the entire Punjab when he was 22. He is known as Mahraja Ranjeet Singh – The Lion of Punjab. He had a disability, being unable to see from one eye.

These two remarkable people did not allow their disability to stop them in their endeavours. One can argue, therefore, that all disabled people are as capable as others. They might even be a bit more capable on account of other abilities they possess.

The number of disabled people has been growing proportionally with the world population. The World Health Organization estimates that more than a billion people (out of 7 billion) have some form of disability.

Pakistan, is no exception. However, international organizations profiling disability in Pakistan mention that “persons with disabilities are mostly unseen, unheard and uncounted.” They are the most marginalised segment of the society. This is partly so because in Pakistan the understanding of disability remains anecdotal.

Because the disabled have been neglected for so long, a lot of work is needed for their inclusion in social community.

Since July 5, 2011, when Pakistan ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, there has been very little progress towards achieving the goals for the effective participation of disabled people in society. Besides social problems of non-inclusion, the economic disadvantages and losses of keeping the large number of people with disability out of spectrum are huge. The Economist Intelligence Unit reported that by 2018 the cost to Pakistan’s economy of excluding people with disabilities from employment could reach $20 billion a year. This economic forfeiture cost will continue to rise each year.

Availability of reliable statistics is the first step to be taken to devise any policy and subsequent action plans for the social and economic inclusion of this marginalised section of society.

There is a great paucity of bona fide statistics related to the prevalence and status of persons with disabilities in Pakistan. The UNESCO, the JICA and the UNICEF have all pointed this out. The surveys taken in this regard have been criticized mostly for downplaying the issue on account of social stigma.

Social initiatives are needed to address the fundamental issue of (dis)ability by bringing together academics, professionals and those involved in policy making

The collection of comprehensive data detailing all aspects and types of disability, the corresponding number of disabled people at provincial, divisional and district levels will provide the basis to devise strategies to address the larger issue. Another important area in this domain is the development of assistive technology research and innovation centres. AT products refer to any item, piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase, maintain or improve functioning in people with disabilities. These products enhance social inclusion and improve disabled people’s access to education, labour and leisure.

Harnessing the potential of assistive technologies is a viable and achievable means to fulfilling many obligations under the Convention of Rights of People with Disabilities and the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations. An encouraging fact in this regard is the right to access to assistive technology devices is ensured in the new Disability Act, Pakistan 2017. Further work is now required to make this right visible on ground.

The government and other stakeholders can take this challenge and ensure the inclusion of a large and growing population of disabled people in the economic development through the following initiatives:

o Collating reliable data related to disabled people and disability

o Development of assistive technology research and innovation centres

o Establishing a platform for international collaboration and research.

Instead of a charity-based approach, which is limited to providing temporary relief, we should endorse the more influential social model of disability. It is high time to change our perception of our disabled brothers and sisters by adopting an inclusiveness strategy and providing them an opportunity to demonstrate their and unique abilities.

Salman Asghar is a PhD scholar at Design School, Loughborough University, UK Ijazul Haq is a PhD scholar at Politecnico di Torino, Italy