I have been to two events with the purported aim of sensitising people about the need for an inclusive society, both held in studios where I had been invited to be part of a show to talk about disability related matters. The first time, it was for an NDTV News at 7 pm on a friday evening, and I have written about that experience elsewhere in this blog. The second time was yesterday, it was in response to a request from a fellow disability acivist, to say a few words about inclusion for a video that was being prepared for airing at an event later this week. Another thing happened at both events. Before the shooting was to start, I was asked if my crutch which I carry around for the eventuality of having to walk even a few steps somewhere; and both times, I refused, saying I objected to having signs of my assistive devices hidden away. If you want me, I come with whatever my disability entails!
In both cases, I asked the person who was going to be at the studio whether the studio was wheelchair accessible and free of the omnipresent steps that are the bane of wheelchair users. In both cases, I was told there was a small step, but that I would be given all necessary help. And in both cases, there was more than just `a small step', and a bit of walking on one's own feet, which is doable for me but NOT for many wheelchair-using friends of mine. When will people understand what accessibility means for a person with locomotor problems? If the above instances keep repeating even when the event in question is being organised to improve inclusion and sensitise people on matters of concern for PwD, is there any hope for the much touted `Accessible India Campaign' ever taking off the ground?
If we repeatedly score `same-side goals' before the game even starts, how can we ever hope to win?
In both cases, I asked the person who was going to be at the studio whether the studio was wheelchair accessible and free of the omnipresent steps that are the bane of wheelchair users. In both cases, I was told there was a small step, but that I would be given all necessary help. And in both cases, there was more than just `a small step', and a bit of walking on one's own feet, which is doable for me but NOT for many wheelchair-using friends of mine. When will people understand what accessibility means for a person with locomotor problems? If the above instances keep repeating even when the event in question is being organised to improve inclusion and sensitise people on matters of concern for PwD, is there any hope for the much touted `Accessible India Campaign' ever taking off the ground?
If we repeatedly score `same-side goals' before the game even starts, how can we ever hope to win?
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