[caption id="attachment_86746" align="alignnone" width="500"]
Dr Neikiesalie Kire and others pose for a group photograph with children at a program in Kohima town that was conducted on December 3 to mark International Day of Persons with Disability.[/caption]
Kohima, Dec. 3: ‘Disability is a condition, not an identity. We must learn to separate the two,’ said Robert Michael Hensel. Hensel, the Guinness World Records holder for the longest non-stop wheelie in a wheelchair, covering a total distance of 6.178 miles, was born with the birth defect known as Spina bifida.
Dispelling the perception that disability was the result of sins committed by parents or family members, the state’s Commissioner for Disability, Dr Atha Vizol has reminded that disability was ‘never the result of falling from God’s favour.’
Rather, he said during an event here, God has a different plan for every person; He created them uniquely, to glorify His name.
International Day of Person with Disability, and a coinciding pre-Christmas program, was observed at Highland Park, below the IG Stadium, in Kohima town.
The event was conducted with the theme ‘Achieving 17 goals for the future we want.’
The programme was jointly organised by the Nagaland Parents’ Association for Disabled (NAPAD) and the Social Welfare department. Minister for Forest, Environment & Climate Change Dr Neikiesalie Kire was the chief guest of the program.
Speaking at the programme, Dr Vizol lamented that most of the institutions and departments in the state were yet to implement the State Disability Policy. Let alone policies, he noted with pain that none of the buildings in the state were even accessible for people with disabilities. Public areas and toilets across the state are not friendly and accessible for them, he said.
The commissioner urged the gathering to recommit to raising awareness among the people and to deliver justice to people with disability as enshrined under the Persons with Disabilities Act of 1995, stating equal participation and opportunity.
In other matters, Dr Vizol informed that the Blind School and Vocational Training Centre for the Disabled, a project under the 13th Finance Commission at Dimapur and a ‘Disability Park’ in Kohima were on the verge of completion.
Besides, 30 buildings have been ‘chosen to give accessibility’ to people with disabilities, it was informed.
Getting a little emotional after watching stage performances from children, Dr Neikiesalie Kire appreciated their talent and has assured help and support to NAPAD and the department.
In the singing competition that was conducted during the day to mark the event, Jo Foundation was declared the first while G Rio School and Tabitha Enabling Academy were declared the second- and third placed winners. They were awarded with cash prizes.
