Have you seen someone starting
up the journey of existence on earth with the deprivation of a limb or any other
body part? If your response is “Yes” then make him or her aware regarding the
upcoming enormity, discrimination, hatred and utmost pity as he is going to
belong that of group of people which is not widely and readily accepted by the
“so-called physically fit but mentally sick” class of society. Alarm him,
threaten him that he would be rejected, tortured and discriminated, and ask him
to stay where he is, as long as he could, because society is going to be
narrower for him than the womb of his mother.
Although many disability acts had been passed but all hubbub was confined to
documentation rather than implementation. These people were discriminated in
public places, transport and workplace and sometime at educational institutions
and still the same scenario prevails. We are so generous that we can go to the
“superlative degree of generosity while fighting for them but we can’t give them
their due rights. Here wait a minute! I’m not considering only Pakistan here but
there are many, Western and European Countries and Gulf States that don’t
possess disable-friendly infrastructure.
In the times of yore, a person, handicapped physically was considered as scrap
or spare part having no use. His was confined within the four walls of home.
There was no arrangement for his or her education, growth and development. These
people used to grow themselves as flies do in heaps of garbage. But there were
some “Tender-hearted” people of society used to award them with the look of
sympathy but not with the pat of love and affection.
Now the time has changed, twenty first century has arrived, we have grown more
mature. We have developed skyscraper buildings, developed pattern zed
educational institutions, sophisticatedly equipped hospitals, marbled offices
and plazas but these all constructions are meant to make a handicapped person
more dependent and reliant on others. All though we don’t expressly say them to
dwell at home but our ironic behavior, pity-flooded eyes and unfriendly and
infrastructure is sufficient to make them realize that there is no vacant place
for them in outer environment.
Stephen hawking a physicist, cosmologist, author, director and much more at
University of Cambridge himself suffered a neuron disease that had paralyzed him
gradually at very early age but he didn’t give up. He went on and on, leaving an
imprint on the history of the world; shocking all with his unswerving effort and
determination and making the others realize that a physical impairment is not a
barrier. Hellen Adams keller was first blind and deaf person to hold graduate
degree in Arts. She was writer, a lecturer and a social activist. She made her
way while crossing all the obstacles and impediments let others know that the
things that become invisible for the outward can be seen from inward eye more
visibly.
The focus is here to bring the attention of higher authorities and government to
this pivotal issue that physically handicapped people are the part of our
society and entitled to same benefits, privileges and securities although most
of them don’t expressly demand. First step that can be taken in this regard is
to transform the structural environment of construction while keeping an eye on
the required need of such people in order to utilize their potential in the best
possible way. Secondly a transformation is also required in the diplomatic
behavior of people who can cast a glance of commiseration but not affection.