Thousands join hands to mark 'World Disability Day'

New Delhi, Dec 3 (UNI) Nearly 5,000 disabled men and women today gathered at the historic India Gate lawns to mark 'World Disability Day' and demand equal opportunities, leading to traffic halt for nearly half an hour even as Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit flagged off the 'Walk to Freedom' of the physically and otherwise challenged.

The protesters, while shouting slogans, blocked traffic to draw attention to their 'unequal plight' in society and sought 'proper commitment' from the government on 'equal opportunities' in health, education and employment.

Even as students and children enacted plays depicting their difficulties and daily struggle, protestors carrying flags and banners complained of shabby treatment by the government towards their status, in their social life, during job chase and lack of opportunities despite qualification.

With disgust writ large on their faces due to years of neglect, the demonstrators said though the day was in honour and support of our 'disabled' friends, it was a reminder to the 'powers' on our plight.

''If the 'netas' can fight for reservation of others why can't they at least implement the alloted three per cent reservation made for the disabled people?'' said one activist.

Ms Sheila Dikshit said her governent was committed to provide better facilities to the disabled in Delhi and look after their concerns, while adding that public places and the transport system in the city would be made disabled friendly soon.

Meanwhile, Javed Abidi, executive director National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) -- one of the organisors of the event, said, ''The celebrations this year are very special as we have completed ten years since the enactment of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995, though there is anger against the government as the promises made by them have not been completed.

How can we think of fair behaviour when we do not even have representation in the government?'' Arun C Roy, chief of the National Association of the Deaf said India was home to over five million deaf people but unfortunately, the government never bothered about giving them proper education. No normal school was equipped to handle such kids.

''Our demand that sign language which is universally understood by the deaf community should be made a part of the Constitution has been pending for long.'' There are about 22 million disabled people in the country as per the 2001 census but the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) puts the number over 60 million.

UNI AN PK DB2015