Dear friends

Today is International Day for the Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), declared by the UN in 1992. In India, there are about 26.8 million PwDs as per 2011 census, with the men (55.9%) outnumbering women and the rural people (18 million) outnumbering the urban disabled. Among the multiple disabled, women are outnumbering men. 

Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and Jammu and Kashmir have more than 2.51 per cent disabled population.

Th idea of the Day is to create awareness in the general public of the inequality caused due to the disabilities and the unequal opportunities enjoyed by the PwDs and the discrimination suffered by them in every walk of life from family to the society, from education to employment and treatment by the society. 

The observance of the Day also aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. 

The general public should be sensitive about the needs of the disabled and empathize with them in stead of sympathizing with them. The PwDs need equal treatment with dignity and not otherwise. They only need to be proevided the opportunity to prove themselves that they are second to none and they have special abilities making them distinct entities.

It is high time we treat them with respect and dignity and provide them the opportunity to grow, get educated and employed and lead a dignified life as an equal citizen of India or the world. They only need suitable platforms ted, schoolo access the facilities provided by the Govt. and prompt medical services to get themselves treated, schools to get educated etc. so that they can prove their mettle and develop into useful citizens to the society.