Negative attitude towards disabilities still exists – Diethono

Our Reporter
Dimapur, March 10 (EMN): Commemorating its sesquicentennial celebration, the Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM) organised a programme for differently-abled persons at Aoyimti Baptist Church, Dimapur, on Thursday on the theme ‘Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.’

Speaking on the occasion, Nagaland State Commissioner for Person with Disability, Diethono Nakhro, pointed out that negative attitudes and barriers of perception towards disabilities still exist in society. Nakhro stated that she was not born with disabilities but was involved in an accident in 2006. Stating that overcoming the situation was quite challenging and difficult, Nakhro said she began to work her way through all the fear and anger by focusing on the new reality and thus, she was able to focus energy on things she could do and control and move forward in life.

Nakhro went on to say that Nagas are a very exclusive society that caters to only so-called normal people, while differently-abled people's voices are not heard, excluded, and socially isolated. As a result of her experiences, Nakhro said she decided to at least tell her side of the story and start conversation about a subject that is taboo in society, as nobody was talking about disabilities out loud not long ago and there was a lot of stigma associated with disabilities.

Referring to statistics which showed that around 15% of the world's population (1 billion people) has a disability, she stated that people with disabilities are the world's largest minority and added that the number is growing year by year.

She added that according to the 2011 census, India is home to over 26.8 million people with disabilities, while 29631 persons with disabilities were recorded as per the 2011 census in Nagaland, which is about 1.5% of the state total population. According to her, the actual number could be significantly higher.

Nakhro stated that the state's disability sector has been grossly neglected by the government, civil society, and community for a long time, According to global statistics, one out of every five people lives with some form of disability, adding that not all disabilities are visible as some may be invisible. In this regard, she said people with disabilities are a diverse group of people with a wide range of needs.

Nakhro, therefore, stated that disability inclusion is very important by providing accessibility to people with disabilities in everyday life in a society and providing equal opportunities. She further stated that the church could do better and be a role model for a wider society.