Daiaphira Kharsati
SHILLONG:
The countdown to the Assembly polls has already begun but persons with disabilities (PwDs) feel that there is so much that needs to be done, be it for their welfare or getting the opportunity to cast their vote.
President of Meghalaya Deaf Association, Ferdinand Lyngdoh Marshillong, has requested all persons with disabilities to come out and cast their votes in the upcoming election and said, “You have the right to vote and take the right decision without fear.”
He said that an EPIC is not only to obtain a ration card or a SIM card but it is for an important task, which is voting.
According to him, PwDs feel discriminated against and said, “In all of these five years, there is a lot which is lacking. There are no fit legislators. From time to time, we have to come out to the streets.”
He claimed that some legislators do not even know the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act 2016 and he also said that there was a minister who thought that the tactile paving in the secretariat is for beautification, little did the minister know it is for the aid of the visually impaired.
Stating that PwDs are discouraged to cast their vote as they see no change, he said, “I always tell them that they should not give up, and that they should elect a representative.”
On the other hand, East Khasi Hills District icon for PwDs (Hearing Impaired) Starwin Kharjana encouraged fellow PwDs to come forward to vote and bring about a change.
Speaking to The Meghalayan, Kharjana appreciated the efforts of the Election Commission of India for postal ballots and facilities for the disabled which will in a way motivate them to vote.
He said, “There are PwDs who want to vote but express inability to do so as they live far away from the polling stations. It is problematic for those with locomotor disability, especially those staying in the War areas that have steep slopes and inaccessible terrain. They can inform their respective village heads.”
As for those who are hearing and speech impaired, he said that it is discouraging for them but they can carry their Unique Disability ID (UDID) cards on polling day.
Kharjana narrated an incident where a lady, who did not have her right hand, cast her vote and she was still asked to produce her finger to ink but she told she did not have any, and in the process was harassed.
“The lady is shattered after the incident. The incident took place in the last election in 2018,” he said.
Marshillong said that in the past five years, he had witnessed some changes on the rights of persons with disabilities, especially four per cent job reservation in the government through the roster system but it needs to be followed up for better implementation.
“The hike in the chief minister’s special assistance scheme from Rs 500 to Rs 700 and the unemployment allowance from Rs1000 to Rs1500 brought about some relief for persons with disabilities,” he said.
However, he said that the state government cannot fully implement the Accessible India campaign, which includes accessible infrastructure, accessible communication and accessible transportation.
Managing Trustee, Barefoot Trust, Bibhudutta Sahu, said, “Anticipating the needs and providing functional aids and appliances for them will definitely encourage them to cast their votes. ‘Marking’ on the electoral list will smoothen the process for them. Necessary assistance by the district level administration from home to booth is critical.”
Political parties have no vision
Marshillong said that the problem is that none of the political parties have a vision to empower persons with disabilities and there is no assurance in their manifestos, especially to implement the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 which stipulates special focus on access to education, infrastructure, communication and transportation.
He said, “Most of the political leaders give only freebies during election time and after which it is very difficult to meet them even after getting a formal appointment.”
Asked if it is time for the PwDs to also contest elections, both Kharjana and Marshillong replied in the affirmative.