Yesterday,I participated in an awareness session on Disability on the occasion of “World Disability Day”.The session was conducted by disabled professionals and their guides for the benefit of corporate leaders and HR professionals. Many statistics and need for support in terms of employment in suitable roles were discussed as a prelude to drafting an action plan for affirmative action. One point came up again and again. How do you address disabled persons?. The UN resolution of 2005 calls them PWD [Person with disability] emphasising the word PERSON. Some participants did not like this label and instead suggested “person with special needs”,”physically/mentally challenged person” etc. Does it matter what we call them ?.Of course,we need to sensitise the general public on this. But more than that we need to garner whole hearted support and assistance in creating a decent livelihood for all such persons within the corporate world. It is always possible to identify suitable jobs for any type of disability,thanks to the technology and tools available now. Another area which needs attention by all is to create the right work environment and infrastructure to cater for disability whether it is ramps,special furniture,audio aids for caution,and special medical centers at the work place for such persons.We need investments in all these areas to bring the disabled to the enabled category.Impact Days celeberated once a year is not enough and all stake holders should come together with long term solutions to address this very important issue.


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