inaugural address of the association of the special education department, Avinashalingam University Coimbatore

1. Ensuring the dignity and rights of the differently-abled
-Inaugural address delivered on 13 august, 2014-
(The inauguration of the special education association of the department of
special education, avinashilingam University, Coimbatore)
Good afternoon my young friends, the faculty of the special education
department of this great university. Thank you for inviting me, a recent
entrant into disability activism. As a person with a hearing impairment with
some hearing, I deem it a great privilege to stand before you all to deliver this
first address of the opening of you department association. Congrats and I
wish the association of students and faculty members will initiate, collaborate
and network with organisations and activists alike…. Please don’t do this as a
duty… it is affirmative action in academics...much like NSS or NCC that
motivates and inspires…
Alone we can do very little; Together we can do so much…that doyen of
disability activism… Helen Keller spokeso long ago….
A famous Indian once said, ’the problem is not how to wipe out all the
differences, but how to unite with all the differences intact, so said Gurudev
Rabindranath Tagore…
Both are telling reminders of the barriers towards effective integration of the
differently abled.
The topic given to me...to share my views and experiences…well, I can
definitely say that it assumes that there is a lack of dignity and the lack of
rights for the differently-abled.
We are all differently- abled; it is only the mind, the attitude towards
differences of all kinds... in this case disability that acts as a barrier/prevents
the easy to communicate kind of environment.
‘Our minds are like parachutes, they function only when open’

2. It begins at home…. A few case illustrations vani and pushkala; Ramesh and
athai; priya and pavithra n me….
Discrimination and exclusion begins very early based on gender… and
differences. the socialization pattern; unconscious, stereotyping,
labeling….use of words… kuridi, savudu, oomai….
The way it is said, by whom, when, where and how….communication is the key,
and the medium the message.
The way this is shown in the media- films, advertisements, theatre…. They all
impact on the way we all think, say or do…reinforces stereotypes or changes
our way of thinking and behavior… depending on the environment.
Negative mind sets, they still prevail in the way we all relate to and interact
with pwd’s in every possible way. There is a lack of realization that it is
negative, demeaning and discriminating eg when we say
ayyopaavam…still .the disability is visible,, we think negatively about that…and
the person with a disability is also thought that way…. Postpone some
commitment, thinking last about them; the way it is portrayed in the media…if
a woman/girl with a disability is a victim of violence/rape… she’s always the
last to receive public attention
-ignored, invisible, excluded….
How many of u students read the paper? How many realize the significance of
some articles…in the paper, in the social media, in television… have u paused
and ever wondered? Whatcan I do, how shd I go abt it?
Attitudinal barriers are the major stumbling block towards the integration,
inclusion of pwd’s when I say attitudinal barriers… I mean… we see the
disability- whatthe person can’tdo… and arriveat our own conclusions..
We do not see their abilities, the fact that they too are human beings, who
have rights as equal citizens in nation building and progress..today, the
disability sector is a vast untapped human resource potential... waiting to be

3. tapped… encouraged to participate in mainstream civilian life... there are
lawyers, bankers, researchers, engineers, scientists…. Amongst both women
and men with dsiabilities…if only we all care to look, encourage, understand
their differences and their abilities.
Are there amongst you all student/faculties who are persons with a disability?
The topic is very relevant… it should be inclusive…. Pwd’s should be a part…
they
The way forward… whatthe activists are
.wethepwds@googlegroups.com
Today, there are sure and visible changes that are occurring…at the policy
levels… the UNCPRD, national and state level policies….
India is a signatory of the UNCPRD bound to but still paper tigers… snail’s
pace….
-widening the definition of disability… including…
National fund for PWD’s
Affirmativeaction- reservation in jobs, education
Accessibility infrastructure
Mainstreaming- integration
Paradigm shift fromthe social model to one based on the rights approach…
Principle of dignity, autonomy, inherent equality n solidarity
ENSURING DIGNITYAND RIGHTS OF PWD’S THRUADVOCACY
- Education- enabling environment thru encouragement, identifying
talented
- Accessibility- infrastructure, banking, entertainment,
technology,(accessible websites) communication ,Google groups

4. campaigns eg verma commission report on VAW; banking accessibility
report, RTE act, nirbhaya fund, Chennai metro to name a few
-consortium of no’s/individuals working for accessibility and inclusion of pwd
COMMUNICATION, A VITAL COMPONENT – Sign language, braille…
ACCEPTING, UNDERSTANDING,
VOLUNTEERING… BEA SCRIBE, SUPPORTSYSTEM… FORVISUALLYIMPAIRED…
Be a part of the online network,
Use social media to highlight issues
Shareyour knowledge
Make a difference- voice your concerns on avaaz.org change.org…
Start your own centre/ngo..can be a resourcecentre…
Encourage , be a facilitator, an enabler..long term goal of empowerment of
persons with disabilities
Update and shareyr knowledge
Highlight achievements..
Ngos/corporates…. Celebrate diversity.. IBM, ITC, Shakti masala….. employ
persons with dsiabilities… vastno who are highly skilled
ICT great leveler…. Experience the catalystfor change….
Be a change agent.
Make a difference…every individual is UNIQUE
-advocate
Innovate
Create
Encourage
Enable
facilitate
- ASK- DON’TASSUME
THANKYOU… PL DO CONTACTME..drvj70@gmail.com