EMN
Dimapur, April 1
It is true that persons suffering from disabilities are one of the most marginalized sections of the community, socially and economically, and in education and community participation.
But in the hearts of many too, they are neither forgotten nor unloved. Education students of the BA semesters of Immanuel College in Dimapur, and their teachers visited an institution for differently-able children, Silver Lines Academy, also in Dimapur.
The visit was primarily an opportunity at solidarity.
Disability is the consequence of an impairment that may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental, or some combination of these that result in restrictions on an individual’s ability to participate in what is considered “normal” in their everyday society.
The visit was part of what the college called ‘learning education.’ The event was undertaken on March 30, the organizers informed in a press release issued through the media on Friday.
Silver Lines Academy in Dimapur was established in the year 2015 is an academy for differently-able children. “Department of Education Immanuel College presented stationary gift sets and provided refreshments to the students of the academy. Immanuel College students also conducted a worship programme where the children of the academy showcased their talents,” the college informed.
The college and the visiting students are grateful to the academy and those who contributed to the event.
Citizens’ Factfile: 10 Facts about Disability
People with disabilities are among the most marginalized groups in the world. People with disabilities have poorer health outcomes, lower education achievements, less economic participation and higher rates of poverty than people without disabilities.
Disability is now understood to be a human rights issue. People are disabled by society, not just by their bodies. These barriers can be overcome, if governments, nongovernmental organizations, professionals and people with disabilities and their families work together. The WHO/World Bank World report on disability shows the way forward.
Over a billion people live with some form of disability
This corresponds to about 15% of the world’s population. Between 110 million and 190 million adults have very significant difficulties in functioning. Rates of disability are increasing, due to population ageing and the global increase in chronic health conditions.
Disability disproportionately affects vulnerable populations
Lower-income countries have a higher prevalence of disability than higher-income countries. Disability is more common among women, older people and children and adults who are poor.
People with disabilities often do not receive needed health care
Half of disabled people cannot afford health care, compared to a third of non-disabled people. People with disabilities are more than twice as likely to find health-care providers’ skills inadequate. Disabled people are four times more likely to report being treated badly and nearly three times more likely to be denied health care.
Education completion gaps are found across all age groups in all settings, with the pattern more pronounced in poorer countries. For example, the difference between the percentage of disabled children and the percentage of non-disabled children attending primary school ranges from 10% in India to 60% in Indonesia.
Global data show that employment rates are lower for disabled men (53%) and disabled women (20%) than for non-disabled men (65%) and non-disabled women (30%). In OECD countries, the employment rate of people with disabilities (44%) was slightly over half that for people without disabilities (75%).
People with disabilities have worse living conditions–including insufficient food, poor housing, lack of access to safe water and sanitation–than non-disabled people. Because of extra costs such as medical care, assistive devices or personal support, people with disabilities are generally poorer than non-disabled people with similar income.
In many countries rehabilitation services are inadequate. Data from four Southern African countries found that only 26–55% of people received the medical rehabilitation they needed, while only 17–37% received the assistive devices they needed (e.g. wheelchairs, prostheses, hearing aids).
Even in high-income countries, between 20% and 40% of people with disabilities do not generally have their needs met for assistance with everyday activities. In the United States of America, 70% of adults rely on family and friends for assistance with daily activities.
Governments can:
- promote access to mainstream services;
- invest in specific programmes for people with disabilities;
- adopt a national strategy and plan of action;
- improve staff education, training and recruitment;
- provide adequate funding;
- increase public awareness and understanding on disability;
- strengthen research and data collection; and
- ensure the involvement of people with disabilities in implementing policies and programmes.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) promotes, protects and ensures the human rights for all people with disabilities
So far, more than 150 countries and regional integration organizations have signed the Convention, and over 130 have ratified it. The WHO/World Bank report provides the best available scientific evidence to improve the health and well-being of people with disabilities in line with the CRPD. (Source: WHO)
