HYDERABAD: While the common man is frustrated by all that he has to endure in order to withdraw money, the woes of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are far worse.
While people across the world were promoting World Disability Day on Saturday, (initiated by the United Nations in 1992 to spread awareness about the dignity and rights of PWDs), those working for PWDs said the current situation is not as pleasing.
CH Ishkar is the chairman of United Voluntary Action for the Rehabilitation of Disabled (UVARD) and also the founder of Shekinah Foundation. “We run our foundation with public funds, and through Centre’s contribution. We need around `2 lakh every month to take care of 120 children with special needs. This month has been extremely difficult as people have not been able to send us donations. We haven’t received government funds either,” said Ishkar. “It seems like the government is saying, biryani is in the making, fast till its done and served,” he added in a frustrated tone.
Rent, food for children, salaries for staffers have all been put on hold. “Children who study in day school travel by bus. We have been struggling to pay money for the fuel,” he shared. Though most public spaces are supposed to be made accessible for PWDs, only urban banks have the provision, said Nagabhushanam, secretary general, Friendly Environment for the Disabled.
“If you look at the rural spaces, at least 50 per cent of them are inaccessible for PWDs. Railings, wheel chairs, ramps are all missing in these spaces. It makes it a lot more difficult for them in the present situation,” he said, adding that PWDs are often the last in the list of government beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, Narsanna, another activist pointed that there are no separate queues allotted for PWDs, Sai Baba Goud, chairman of Devnar School for the Blind said all those PWDs that he has come across recently have had a smooth ride at the banks and ATMs.