Some specially abled persons, who were once deemed worthy only of pity, are standing their own in society. Slowly, but surely, the change is happening
Aditi Garg
Mirchi & Mime, a restaurant in Powai, Mumbai, is wait-staffed by hearing-and-speech impaired persons. For some customers, it is the novelty of the theme that draws them to the restaurant. Many, however, are unsure about how to react. But the pleasant disposition and charm of these specially abled persons puts them at ease. The noble gesture apart, it is, however, the good food and ambience at the bar and grill that draws people back. According to Prashant Issar, co-owner of the joint, “Mulling over the concept of a restaurant, my business partner and I decided to focus on creating value for not just ourselves but also for society at large. Since hearing and speech impaired persons are born with the traits important for the hospitality industry — a pleasant disposition, focused and intuitive — we felt Mirchi and Mime would be perfect to put their key strengths to use. We, however, had a tough time convincing their parents that this was indeed an opportunity for their children. The candidates too were wary of the offer as they had suffered many prejudices.”
Sixteen months down the line, the restaurant has managed to get the highest rating from Zomato. With plans to start a second restaurant soon, it has proved that these boys and girls were the right choice.
Prepping for the mainstream
When Dr Jitender Aggarwal, a dentist, lost his eyes, he experienced first hand the apathy that a disability brings. This realisation that the world is a different place when you are not in the mainstream egged him on to start the Sarthak Educational Trust in 2008. He wanted to enable the differently abled to be financially independent. With nine centres around India, the trust is growing to accommodate the need to provide skill-based training in ITES, BPO, retail and hospitality.
According to Arun Sharma, project manager of the Chandigarh centre, “It is not about charity or mercy but the respect earned through meaningful employment. Besides skill upgradation, we have started an early intervention programme that aims to identify disability early in life. This enables better integration by minimising the impact of disability.”
People like Bhagyashree Vartak have dedicated their lives for such people. A special educator and supervisor at Rochiram T Thadani High School for Hearing Handicapped, she has been working with specially abled people for the past 24 years. Nothing gives her more pleasure than seeing the differently abled live independently. Her students are studying in normal schools. Some of them have done post graduation and featured in ads. They have even won international accolades.
“I have been conferred with many awards but it is the success of my students that matters the most,” she says. She was a part of the Silent Indian National Anthem performed by the hearing and speech impaired, along with Sangeeta Gala, which was aired on TV channels, cinema halls and won three medals at the Cannes International Film Festival, France.
Not a burden on anyone
Once in the mainstream, they try to be the best. From being chosen star employees of the month to outperforming the average, there is no frontier they won’t breach to make their presence felt. With the right training, they are not a burden on their families. Being financially independent gives them a sense of pride at being able to become a contributing member in the household.
Hearing impaired since birth, Mandeep Singh from Ropar, Punjab, got a major confidence boost after he trained in assembling products in retail at Sarthak. He’s presently employed at Gilard Electronics. With a bit of help, he now enjoys being gainfully employed.
Vinay Kumar from Chandigarh is afflicted in his lower limbs but with training, he has been able to overcome his inhibitions. Working as a customer care executive at Dr ITM Limited, he is happy that he no longer needs to depend on others and can contribute to his family’s finances.
Talent cannot be subdued by disability. A recent example is that of Australia’s Got Talent contestant Emmanuel Kelly, who didn’t let his impaired limbs hold him back. His singing ability has come to define him.
The big screen as well as the small screen has been giving these people the much deserved, and long overdue, centre stage.
The new KFC Friendship Bucket ad brings sign language into our living rooms and pitches it as something that expands the horizons of your friendship. They are as full of life as we are and only when we give them a chance can they show that they are just as friendly, trustworthy, patriotic or for that matter, annoying, as us. KFC, which aims to create a robust team where specially-abled employees will constitute 10 per cent of the total workforce, has around 170 such persons on its rolls at present.
Need for change
Do you feel uneasy knowing that the person taking your order or billing you for your purchase is disabled? This apprehension has kept many specially abled people stuck inside homes when they could have easily be working alongside us, with as much dignity. At Elante Mall, Chandigarh, Lifestyle’s hearing impaired staff more than makes up for it with their efficiency and the most endearing smiles.
The need today is not to keep them away from direct interactions but for us to accept them. If Stephen Hawking can defy all odds and define science as we know it, Thomas Edison could light up the world and Beethoven could give a symphony that is heralded as the greatest works of music ever, there really is no disability that stops a person other than their own willingness. A supportive society could go a long way in making the world a better place for them.
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