Persons with disabilities, or differently-abled persons are

a special category because of limitations to their free and uninhibited movement. This category can be defined as generally  comprising those who are either partially or wholly  visually impaired;  suffered partial  or total  loss of hearing ability; loss of a member or members of the body;  persons who have general body malaise due to disorders of the ‘motor system’. It should be reminded that children are also part of all the types stated.
For some time, there has been  concern expressed by persons with disabilities, and even some members of the public,  as to the shabby and unkind treatment usually meted out to  the  former.
Mostly with the blind, it is  quite  common these days  to observe such  a  person, standing at the  roadside, waiting to be led across the busy  street so  as to continue his/her journey. This is coupled with the ignominy of these citizens also being refused as commuters aboard  public transportation vehicles.
The same despicable treatment is accorded to citizens who have suffered various  forms of physical disabilities.  More fortunate than those who are visually impaired, they too suffer the indignity of  being rejected from getting  aboard the transportation system. Often, their protestations at such an insult, are met  by torrents of abuse. Even persons who have been temporarily restricted, because of some kind of accident, are oftentimes rebuffed.
Definitely, our society has become less caring about those in our midst, who are inflicted with these frailties. One surely will recall the days when persons who were observed with  that special white cane, were immediately rendered assistance to  get to which ever point they had intended. It was a time when persons truly believed and accepted, that performing such a civic duty as helping a fellow citizen in such circumstances,  was a god-given duty, or even a blessing.
The fact that the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs, as a result of complaints from  visually impaired  persons, has voiced his public concern  regarding the manner of public treatment of this particular category, speaks volumes as to the marked deterioration of societal concern  for those whose powers of vision  have been greatly affected. This can be extended to the other differently-abled types as well.
In remarks  made at a sensitisation seminar for the Police Force, the National Road Safety Council and others on the issue of obligations to persons with disorders, Minister Rohee noted the many complaints received from these affected persons, urging that greater care, appreciation and consideration be shown to these particular citizens.
It is a civic call  that all citizens, wherever they reside, ought to appreciate.
Truly, we have  become less caring about differently-abled persons. As a matter of fact, it is not too uncommon to observe a visually impaired person frantically trying to find his/her path across the busy city streets. Yes, there are some good citizens who usually render their help. But there are others who, although  observing the struggling citizen in the busy risk  of traffic,  would  conveniently   divert their attention in another direction.
Even motorists, rather than allowing those differently-challenged persons to cross the street, often proceed on their way.
Such can only be described  as cold, and  calculatedly mean. Perhaps, the surprising observation to be made is that such an uncaring attitude is exhibited by many senior adults. Of course, younger-aged  citizens  are just as guilty. Therefore, beginning in the home, parents will also  have to include teaching  their young about citizens who are differently-challenged, and what it means to give  assistance  to them.