Association of Deaf protests on occasion of World Disabled Day

JAMMU, Dec 3: A protest demonstration was held by Jammu and Kashmir Association of the Deaf in the Exhibition Ground near Press Club here, today on the occasion of World Disabled Day.

The protest was led by Vijay Kumar Gupta president of the Association and its general secretary, Bushan Kesar.
The protesters with banners in their hands were raising their arms in support of their demands. The banners they took in their hands were reading “we can’t speak but we can express”, “we are differently abled but not disabled” etc.
The Association later submitted a memorandum to the authorities which said that it is hurting that the world’s largest minority that of disable people which is about 15 percent of total population of world do not have equal access to society or service, including education, employment, health care, transportation, political participation or justice.
It further said on one side there are many a nations who are trying their every bit to initiate various actions which will remove barriers that limit accessibility and participation by persons with disabilities in all aspects of society and development, on the other hand there are a few who choose to close their eyes rather than be part of this sanctimonious mission.
They said today when whole world is observing World Disable Day “let us peep into the steps initiated by the State Government towards eradicating miseries of these special people”. In 1995 Government of India passed an act in favour of person with disabilities . In 1998 it was ratified by State Government and the Act titled as “The Jammu & Kashmir Persons with Disabilities, Equal Opportunities and Full Participation Act of 1998” under which three percent reservation in Government jobs was kept intact and also emphasis was laid on the opening of special schools, at least one in each district for the deaf and dub. But it is disgusting that the J&K Government has not been able to open schools instate Capitals, the memorandum added.
In the memorandum the Association has put seven questions to the Government and sought their answers also from the society which too has uptil now failed to show solidarity with these differently abled persons and advocated for their cause vigorously.
They wanted to know why educational institutions were not set up for these people and why there is no rehabilitation policy for them. Moreover, they wanted to know why there is no special recruitment drive for middle pass deaf and dumb persons, why no rehabilitation for over aged deaf and dumb etc.