The importance of education for
every person as well as every nation cannot be over-emphasized. Its importance
is increased to a greater extent in case of persons with disabilities, as
education can help them to adjust in the society. Recently many social
scientists have paid their attention towards disable students not only in
developed but also in developing countries. Although, technological advancement,
globalization, internationalization of media and effort made by international
institutions, including international non-governmental organizations have create
some space for disable students who are living to compete equal footing but
situation is unfortunately still much unsatisfactory. The subordinate position
of mobility impairment students in society, even though this position is
somewhat attenuated in higher social classes, has well-known manifestations
limited representation in the formal political system, a large share of the
economy's informal sector and other types of labor with reduced financial
rewards, almost exclusive responsibility for family and children, and the more
subtle signs of narrow career aspirations and low self-esteem Stigma and
discrimination against people with disabilities has always been a problem.
Physically Disabled people are familiar to every class, culture and society. The
number of moderately and severely disabled persons was 250 to 300 million in
1990. Disabled people have always been discriminated and stigmatized across
cultures for thousands of years. Persons with physical disabilities do not face
only physical problems but in fact they have to face social and psychological
problems in life. The attitude of non disabled students is stigmatizing and
discriminating towards disabled students. Negative attitudes of peers have a
tremendous impact on the life of an individual with a handicap.
The person’s self-concept, cognitive and social development, academic
performance, and general psychological health may be largely affected. When an
individual is not accepted by his or her peers, their educational environment
and social opportunities in the school, community, work, and home may greatly
suffer. A report on violence against physically challenged persons by UNICEF at
UN Headquarters in New York shows that Children who live with a physical,
sensory, intellectual or mental health disability are among the most stigmatized
and marginalized of all the world’s children. While all children are at risk of
being victims of violence, disabled children find themselves at significantly
increased risk because of stigma, negative traditional beliefs and ignorance.
There are many negative attitude, cultural myths and superstitious beliefs
towards Person with Disabilities in Pakistan. In Pakistan the disabled persons
are generally insulted and rarely function as useful members of society. Most of
the public places like shopping malls, railway stations, Hotels, and cinemas,
educational institutions, in the country do not cater to the mobility and access
needs of the physically disabled persons, ramps for wheel chairs are absent are
the gradient is too steep for PWDs to use independently public buses are not
accessible to disabled persons. Like Metro Bus.
Historically, persons with disabilities have been confronted with not only the
physical and mental impediments of their disability, but also with the
accompanying social stigma and negative social attitudes. A persistent negative
attitude and social rejection of people with disabilities is evident throughout
history and across cultures. Ancient Roman and Greek cultures viewed persons
with physical disabilities as burdens on society and as less than human.
Research has shown, however, that the degree of social rejection and social
stigma varies with specific disabilities. Rubin & Roessler, 1995[5].But of the
contrary Muslim scholars and leaders believed it is the duty of society to
provide appropriate education to children with disabilities in inclusive
environments. The society has an obligation to meet the educational and life
needs of disabled people by providing equal opportunities to education and
employment.
In Pakistan disability has different meaning. Some believe disability to be a
curse from God and compensation is required by resorting to sacrifice, charity,
or visits to shrines, for others it is a punishment for their sins, sometimes
disability causes great shame and feelings of guilt for the affected family, as
result people hide their disabled family members from the public eye. Family
structure in Pakistan can also be a major hindrance to the reintegration of
Persons with Disabilities to become useful members of society. People with
disabilities in Pakistan according to 1961 census are estimately about 19 out of
every 1,000 households. By contrast, according to 1973 Housing, Economic, and
Demographic survey there were 115persons with disabilities out of 1,000
households. There exists inconsistency regarding exact figure of disabled. But
the problem is that this statistics do not focus on negative attitude of
society. Inclusion of students with physical disabilities in general education
has much positive effect on attitudes and relations of both disabled and non
disabled students. Students developed positive attitudes towards students with
disabilities based on the experience of having disabled students in their
classrooms. Policies and institution exclude or do not respond positively to the
needs of children with disabilities, which would lead to solutions based on
changing attitudes, policies and institutions. A disability is stigma in
Pakistan and cultural norms are a hindrance to the integration of disabled
persons in community.