Aditi Panda
The world observes 3rd December as International Day of Persons with Disabilities; an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992 and is celebrated in varied forms in different parts of the world. The day is observed with an aim to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.
The observance also looks for increase in the growth of awareness which can be derived from the integration and inclusion of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life and making them a part of the main stream society.
A yearly celebration was greatly accentuated to promote people with disability to exercise their participation rights and offer assistance in their regular life to enhance their quality of life by trying to eradicate the social stigma towards them. Since 1992, it has been celebrated continuously every year till this year with a lot of success all over the world.
Every year the day focuses on a different issue. It started with a theme of the year in 1998, which was the “Arts, Culture and Independent Living”. The disability day had very significant themes in tandem with the quality of life enhancement of the person with disability like in 1999 was “Accessibility for all for the new Millennium” and in 2004 was “Nothing about Us, Without Us” whereas the theme of the year 2006 was “E-Accessibility”. The theme of the year 2012 was the “Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all”. The theme this year is “Persons with Disabilities at their Best”.
This year, the three day celebration will be held from 1-3rd December, 2017.A photography competition was held in this context with an aim to fetch attention to the role that Persons with Disabilities play in their homes, work places and communities in an effort is to create an inclusive society.
The photos had to highlight their contributions and capture them positively such as children with disabilities in schools, employees with disabilities in the workplace, and citizens with disabilities in society. The judges will be drawn from the film, photography and disability fields.Sandhyarani Mohanty shares, “it’s an unforgettable experience altogether that cannot be compensated by anything else and most significantly it’s a very blissful environment full of happiness.”
The social security and empowerment of persons with disabilities organised the second Ability Marathon-Run for inclusion on the 2nd December that was flagged off by the state dignitaries and the department officials. Other attractions of the 3 day celebration include other attraction at the Adibasi Padia including a Blood donation camp.”We get a chance to interact with different people from different places and get inspired after hearing their struggle and success stories”, says Harihar Sahu, participating in the ability marathon.
On disability day the department will also felicitate the deserving person with disability, State award for the empowerment of people with disability after proper scrutiny. So please participate in the disability day observation in the same manner and fervour and make it a successful event.
I am against using the word disability which essentially means – ‘The condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness’. I just don’t understand what the definition and yardstick of performance is. Isn’t performance and its corresponding success a relative and therefore a subjective concept?
Anyhow, if I may say so; the supposedly disable people of India have attained more success than the more abled junta. For starters, the disabled are mentally stronger and fierce. They seem to be more determined to do something with their lives. They don’t take their opportunities for granted and tend to make the most out of them. In fact, they are mentally capable of exhibiting more positivity and happiness.
Now let’s come to the able bodied populace in general. A vast majority is frustrated and seeks instant gratification. These tend to indulge in habits that are deleterious to the body. Their stress levels are at an all time high so that only reflects on their poor mental and emotional quotient. Please note here that wars are caused by the most physically and mentally abled people. These are not able but totally insane people
Everyone knows that Indians have achieved more laurels Paralympics than in Olympics. The rate of suicides among these supposedly normal people is on the rise.
So let us all stop using the word disability as a liability but start learning from these real life teachers who are living examples of positivity, determination, tenacity and above all a zest and love for life. God bless them all.
Thankyou for the strong but positive attitude and expression of views today
Disability does not come from inability to perform but it comes when opportunities are lost. On this International Day for Persons with Disabilities, let’s vouch to create more opportunities of inclusion….
Sneha MIshra,Aaina ,bhubaneswar on whatsup
I agree. An inclusive society can only make them live with dignity. A wholehearted support from the society will help them to overcome their disability.
thankssssss for your sincere comments
an informative piece and as always well written. i tried commenting on the site but failed.
From Ramendra Kumar, Rourkela On Whats up