Daily Times

Since 1992, the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) has been celebrated annually on December 3 around the world. The aim of Disability Day is to encourage a better understanding of people affected by a disability, together with helping to make people more aware of the rights, dignity and welfare of disabled people, as well as raise awareness about the benefits of integrating disabled persons into every aspect of life, from economic, to political, to social and cultural. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than a billion people in the world today experience disability. These people generally have poorer health, lower education achievements, fewer economic opportunities and higher rates of poverty. This is largely due to the barriers they face in their everyday lives, rather than their disability. The theme for this year’s International Day is “Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want,” which focuses on the role of Sustainable Development Goals in building a more inclusive and equal world for people with disabilities.

In Pakistan too, various events are organised to mark the day but practically a lot more needs to be done for disabled population in Pakistan. While addressing different gatherings, speakers highlighted ways and means on how to interact with disabled persons, who face a number of challenges for their survival in the world due to a specific malfunction in their body. One of the key points, which is agreed upon by all, is that disabled persons need empathy not sympathy. It would be more appropriate that you should park sympathy at the door before meeting a disabled person. Another core principal that needs to be promoted by all those who interact with differently able persons is that they should mingle with them without pointing to their disability. Persons with some sort of disability need to be made a part of society so that they can contribute positively through their talents with which they are bestowed by God after they are deprived of a certain ability. It includes assisting the patient to compensate for deficits that cannot be reversed medically.

It is very unfortunate that in our country disabled persons face jeers, sneers and often face discrimination. In the recent past, the blind were seen protesting for their rights on the roads in Lahore and they were brutally assaulted by the police. On this Saturday too, blind persons were maltreated by the staff of Alhamra Art Gallery when a number of blind persons were locked in the gallery, who went there to protest for their rights at the International Day of Disabled Persons event. Government needs to acknowledge these persons’ contribution to society and provide them with equal rights, which they deserve. *