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.