Shift focus from ‘pity and charity’ to inclusion and empowerment

Nagaland observes International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Morung Express News
Kohima | December 4

Advisor for Social Welfare, Wangpang Konyak on Tuesday emphasized that an inclusive and sustainable future requires every voice to be heard and every perspective to be valued. He made these remarks while speaking as the special guest at the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, held at Heritage Bamboo Hall, Kisama, under the theme “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future.”

Stating that persons with special abilities bring unique insights and lived experiences that are indispensable in building stronger and more resilient societies, Konyak emphasized that boosting their leadership would mean not only recognizing their contributions, but actively creating opportunities for them to lead, innovate, and influence.

While assuring the state government’s commitment, to remove barriers – physical, social and institutional that hinders progress towards inclusion, Konayk said every individual must foster an environment where PwDs can excel as leaders in every field.

Accessibility and inclusivity is not merely a convenience, but a fundamental requirement for enabling individuals to exercise their rights fully and equally, stated Konyak and urged that as policy makers, community members and fellow humans, all must ensure that inclusion is not just a vision but a reality.

State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Diethono Nakhro, called for a world where people with disabilities are not simply beneficiaries but active agents of change—leading, innovating, and shaping the world. She stressed the need to shift the narrative around disability, moving away from one of “charity, pity, and exclusion” to one of leadership and empowerment.

“Leadership is not a gift that should be handed to us; it is a right,” Nakhro declared, noting that the existing narrative has denied persons with disabilities their rightful place as leaders and decision-makers in society.

She also emphasized that people with disabilities must be present at decision-making tables, guiding policies, innovations, and strategies that affect all. Too often, she noted, the phrase “nothing about us without us” is invoked, but it’s time to go beyond merely demanding a seat at the table. “We must build our own tables where our leadership is visible, valued, and powerful,” Nakhro said.

Nakhro further explained that the lived experiences of resilience, adaptability, and creativity in navigating a world not designed for PwDs offer unique insights into problem-solving and innovation. This type of leadership, she argued, is essential, particularly when addressing global challenges such as climate change, economic instability, and growing inequality.

Nakhro emphasized the importance of dismantling the systemic barriers—physical, attitudinal, institutional, and social—that prevent persons with disabilities from assuming leadership roles. She called for amplifying the voices of PwDs and creating opportunities for leadership at all levels, from grassroots movements to international platforms.

Schemes to support PwDs 
Martha R. Ritse, Secretary of Social Welfare, provided statistics on the status of persons with disabilities in Nagaland. According to the 2011 Census, the state has 29,631 persons with disabilities, representing 1.5% of the population. Ritse also outlined various schemes available to support PwDs, including scholarships, financial assistance, and pensions for persons with disabilities. She mentioned that 207 students currently receive scholarships, and 4,872 individuals benefit from annual financial assistance.

Furthermore, Ritse shared information on the National Handicap Finance and Development Cooperation Loan Scheme, which provides financial aid to PwDs for income-generating activities. The Department is also working to establish a state channelizing agency for the implementation of this scheme.

Ritse also highlighted the ongoing work under the Scheme for Implementation of Rights for Persons with Disabilities (SIPDA), which aims to provide comprehensive services at the grassroots level. She announced the recent inauguration of two new District Disability and Rehabilitation Centres (DDRC) in Mon and Kamsang.

Another key initiative, the Unique Disability Identity Card (UDID) project, was launched in 2019 to improve transparency and efficiency in the delivery of government benefits to PwDs. Under this project, 3,000 certificates of disability and UDID cards have been issued.

Additionally, the Nagaland State Transport Department has introduced free travel facilities for persons with benchmark disabilities, further enhancing accessibility and inclusivity for people with disabilities across the state.