DECONSTRUCTING INCLUSION

Disability is still viewed as a social welfare issue, and as a result, the disabled are seen as people requiring charitable assistance, who continue to remain isolated from the mainstream. In addition, many stigmas and myths are tagged to disabilities. Besides there are many other important factors like gender, socio-economic status, region and religion which impact how disability is understood and dealt with. Able bodied persons are ill-informed about the “persons with disabilities” and they lack awareness and sensitivity towards them. “Persons with disabilities” face many developmental and societal challenges/barriers that often lead to their social exclusion. If these are recognized and addressed, the scenario can be changed. To make the society more humane, caring and inclusive, we need various policy measures and sincere effort of all stakeholders and all citizens of India. A number of policy initiatives were taken over a period of time. The most notable among them is PWD Act 1995 and the establishment of Rehabilitation Council of India and National Institutions for each area of disability.