PwDs continue to face significant and consistent marginalisation

Morung Express news 
Kohima | April 9

Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the society continue to face significant and consistent marginalisation in all aspects of life, including electoral process. Their voices remain disregarded, and concerns of the disabled people, at large remain absent from election agendas and manifestos.

These issues, among others, were highlighted by the Nagaland State Disability Forum (NSDF) during a press conference held today at Hotel Japfü, Kohima. 

Ahead of the 18th Lok Sabha Elections, while calling for better access and inclusion in all spheres of life, the Forum presented a nationwide disability manifesto crafted by the National Disability Network and National Committee on Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 

The document titled, ‘Manifesto for and by Citizens with Disabilities,’ represents the voice of over 1 crore disabled voters and presents key demands to set benchmark inclusion in budgetary allocations or PwDs, health insurance, accessibility, social security, socio-political inclusion, economic participation, climate change, gender, sports and education. 

“The disabled community are resolute in asserting our presence and insisting that our needs receive equal priority to those of other societal groups. We’re fighting for our rights, and we expect all candidates and political parties in Nagaland to recognise our demands,” NSDF General Secretary Ashe H Kiba said during the presser. 

Stating that it is entrusted with representing Nagaland’s voice at the centre, the Forum urged the candidates and political parties to “advocate for us” as an integral part of Naga society, adding “We are not just a significant portion of the voting population; we also play a crucial role in the country’s socio-economic development and GDP through our consumption of goods and services.”
According to the Forum, with over 20,000 PwDs, including children, over 6,600 PwDs voters in Nagaland are set to exercise their voting franchise in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. 

For the NSDF, it is the first time that such a step is being initiated so that despite marginalisation their voices are taken into commitment through the political representatives.

“These demands encapsulate the essential needs of PwDs, which any incoming government must address or prioritise. Therefore, it’s imperative that all political parties consider our demands and include us in their manifesto for the 2024 General Elections,” Kiba added.

The members also informed that they will be meeting all the candidates contesting for the upcoming lone Lok Sabha seat separately and presenting the manifesto. 

The Forum also commended the Election Commission of India (ECI) for taking measures to facilitate the registration and voting of eligible PwDs by providing necessary assistance. 

With regard to accessibility, Kiba urged all political parties to ensure full accessibility of public and private buildings, products, services, transportation, and communication systems within three years through a public-private partnership.

In addition, it called for mandating accessibility as a requirement for all businesses; enact comprehensive disability-inclusive guidelines for app-based cab aggregators nationwide by 2026, integrating them into existing Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2020 and adding sign language interpreter during events or gathering for the deaf and dumb community. 

On social security, it maintained that living with a disability in India brings added financial burdens, as many face exclusion from education and employment opportunities, leading to greater reliance on welfare assistance. 

“We call on all political parties to standardise National Social Assistance programme to offer a monthly pension of Rs 5000 via Direct Benefit Transfer, removing differing monthly allowances across states,” it urged.

In Nagaland, it may be mentioned that beneficiaries were receiving a monthly allowance of Rs 300. 

The manifesto also stressed on ensuring priority inclusion of PwDs in social security schemes like PM Awas Yojana and MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) by all relevant ministries.

Further on socio-political lines, the members lamented that ECI’s recent guidelines for political parties highlighted lack of awareness regarding disability mainstreaming in society. 

In this regard, it demanded an Amendment of Article 15 of the Constitution to prevent discrimination against PwDs while implementing 5% reservation at all governance levels for marginalised communities, akin to the 73rd and 74th amendments. 
It also vouched for the appointment of at least one individual with a disability in nominated positions outlined in Article 80 of the Constitution.

Additionally, the Forum added that Article 15 empowers the state to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes, including persons with disabilities, to promote their inclusion and welfare in society. 

It further noted that despite having a Nagaland State Disability Commissioner to spearhead PwDs’ voices to the government, its role in policy making become limited while acting as a monitoring body due to absence of a disability department in the state. 
On economic participation, the Forum also presented its demand to political parties to commit to filling all backlog vacancies across ministries and departments by 2027; introduce ‘Access to Work’ incentive scheme for enterprises to facilitate reasonable accommodation for PwDs; include PwDs in all Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programmes under the Ministry of MSME (Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) and MoRD (Ministry of Rural Development) and ensure fulfillment of 4% reservation as per the RPwD Act 2016.

Being a sensitive section of the society, Joint Secretary of the Forum, Ngaugongbe said that PwDs are affected most in the first place during any disasters due to reasons encompassing physical vulnerability, health risks, economic barriers or social inclusion and called for implementation of the Section 8 of the RPwD Act 2016, guaranteeing Protection and Safety from any types of Disaster.

He also added that while numerous efforts has been taken by the Government of Nagaland to provide and promote inclusive education in the state, there has still been some important factors leading to huge challenges for PwDs to access equal opportunity including most schools lacking necessary accommodation like assistive technology, adapted materials, Braille instructor or sign language interpreters. 

In addition, inadequate support services, limited availability of special education teachers, counsellors, disability resource centres have been the challenges for children with disabilities in their academic development and emotional well-being, among others, were highlighted.

In the sphere of sports, the Forum demanded for the available stadiums to be made accessible for PwDs so that their participation, opportunities and access are at par with other non-disabled athletes.

Meanwhile, given the fact that Para sports committee were present in the recently concluded Nagaland Olympic and para Olympic meet, the NSDF lamented that they were never taken in consideration for any consultation or inclusion in decision in sports appropriate for them. 

The Forum also highlighted that women with Disabilities more than men face more discrimination while urging the government to provide special provisions for women with disabilities to access special assistances to avail assistive technology and education at all levels. 

Forum President Vikengunu Fatima Kera and other members were also present at the press conference.