Sensitising towards 'differently abled'

In a recent initiative to network media persons, researchers as well as concerned individuals to raise critical issues and awareness related to the disabled, a media workshop on ''Breaking information barriers in the disability sector'' was organised in the Capital.
The workshop was an endeavour of Samatvam, Indian Institute of Public Administration and UN volunteers in partnership with Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
In his keynote address P L Sanjeev Reddy, director, IIPA, emphasised on the promotion of volunteering among the various sectors of society. The number of disabled persons in India is so large and the available resources so meagre, it requires various sectors of the society to converge for the overall development of the disabled.
Dr Uma Tuli, commissioner of Personal Disability, said: ''''The society should understand the abilities of the disabled.'''' The media can surely highlight the success stories of the achievers for the benefit of others. To remove the barriers of information, which, of course, is not the only barrier, the overall cooperation of all the sections of the society is required to create a favourable environment for the disabled.
Participants and representatives of Rehabilitation Council of India, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and NHDFC, presented the initiatives and the track record of work and support that they have carried out over the years.
Institutions like these aim to economically empower the disabled while discouraging charity. Towards the fulfilment of this aim, it was mutually agreed and highlighted at the workshop — studies and research activities should be carried out; to set-up and develop exclusive institutions, curricula and programmes while endeavouring to bring the disabled to the main stream; to sensitise the media regarding the critical issues for effective communication strategies; to create space for better coverage to include success stories from India and the world; and to make documentaries/ films and bring out the literature to spread awareness and remove myths about disabilities say leprosy.
Certainly, the media can play a pivotal role in transforming the perceptions and attitudes and bring change in the society, by supporting campaigns for laws and legislation, education and employment for the ''differently abled'' members of the society. In a country where 90 per cent of the disabled do not even have access to schools, the media can definitely be an agent of change.