Dimapur, May 24 (EMN): A disability awareness programme was organised for the students and mentors of Livingstone Foundation International by Livingstone Foundation Society on Tuesday. It was held on the theme ‘Different but not less’. The programme was organised in collaboration with the office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disability, Department of Social Welfare.
State Commissioner for Persons with Disability, Diethono Nakhro highlighted various aspects of disability and challenges faced by people, especially children.
Nakhro also spoke on the various kinds of disabilities like physical disability which includes locomotor disability, visual impairment, hearing impairment and speech impairment; intellectual and developmental disability or IDD which includes mental retardation and other mental and behavioural disabilities, an update from the institute informed.
Many people she said were not much concerned about the differently-able people around them and saw them merely as charity objects.
Speaking on the challenges and barriers, she remarked that young people with disability do not have ample access to proper education due to lack of facilities including lack of special educators in the schools meant for normal students.
She stated that it was not only the presence of physical barriers like lack of ramps, lifts or elevators for disabled people but even non-physical barriers like inaccessible communication systems lead to innumerable challenges for them. Asserting that being differently-able was nothing to be ashamed about, she remarked that disabled persons were not failed versions of what is perceived as normal by the society around them.
Earlier, Ani Yepthomi, the Secretary of Livingstone Foundation Society and Director, Livingstone Foundation International remarked that everybody must help the people with disabilities, to focus on their strengths, instead of their weaknesses so that they can enjoy their life. According to her, differently-able people do not only need the society’s sympathy or pity but also its acceptance and attention.