‘Long road ahead for India to become a disabled-friendly country’

Vadodara: India has a long road ahead in becoming a disabled-friendly country. This is what eminent differently-abled speakers said here on Saturday on the sidelines of Prerna 2022 that kicked off at M S University’s Faculty of Technology and Engineering (FTE). The three-day fest, touted to be Asia’s largest fest that provides a platform to the differently-abled to showcase their talents, is being organized by budding engineers of FTE for the 17th consecutive year.The differently-abled in the country still struggle when it comes to medical insurance, education, employment opportunities or access to basic infrastructure like public transport.
“A surprising fact of our country is that the literacy rate among persons with disabilities is just 42 per cent, which is lesser among women with disabilities. They are restricted to their homes without any opportunities and inclusion remains a faraway dream for them,” said para athlete, paralympian and disability champion Ekta Bhyan.
“State governments may announce schemes whereby travelling through public transport is made free for the differently-abled. But how will a person like me, who loves to travel in a bus, board a bus in first place,” said Sanjay Chakraborty, an accomplished entrepreneur, columnist, TEDx speaker and a professional quiz master.
Both Bhyan and Chakraborty were invited as speakers under the segment of ‘Alfaaz’ — a motivational talk show as part of the fest that is being held with the theme – ‘Salam-E-Cinema’. “The fact is that medical insurance firms are not ready to provide insurance to the differently abled unless he or she is either working with the central or state governments or with private firms,” said Chakraborty.
“This is the irony. We pay taxes but the differently-abled people irrespective of their age are not given medical insurance even if they are ready to pay the premium,” said Bhyan.
“There are hotels which are wheel-chair friendly but the room charges are too expansive for everybody to afford. Visiting tourists spots are a luxury,” she said.