A challenged child performs during a function on World Disability Day. Picture by S.H. Patgiri

Dec. 3: It was a fun-filled day for the physically and mentally challenged children at the World Disability Day celebrations held in the city today.

“Inclusion — to be a part and not apart” was the theme of this year’s celebrations, organised by Pragati, a confederation of organisations for the disabled and an umbrella organisation of NGOs working in this sector in and around Guwahati.

The organisations under Pragati include Ashadeep, Manovikas Kendra, Sishu Sarothi, Swabhalambi, Atma Nirbhar — Ek Challenge, Jyoti Niketan and Parents Association of Sishu Sarothi.

Over 300 children participated in a walkathon around Dighalipukhuri, which was flagged off by sports minister Robin Bordoloi from Shanti Udayan at 9.30 am.

A daylong fun fair was held at the NCP Grounds near the District Library where decorative items, candles, spices, greeting cards and food made by disabled children were sold. Several games stalls were also put up by the children like lucky dip, car race, guess the weight of the cake, feed the monster and double your money. Jyoti Niketan, an NGO, organised a game called blindfold, where a normal person was blindfolded and ask to walk around and sit on a chair.

“We had also tried to generate awareness about the rights of the disabled through a solidarity booth set up at the fair. A similar booth has also been set up at the Northeast book fair. We have made the public sign a pledge in order to make them sensitive and express solidarity to the needs of the disabled,” said Arman Ali, an organiser.

The Disability Act, 1995 clearly states that all government and government-aided schools and institutions of education will have to reserve three per cent of their seats for persons with disabilities.

“The Sarva Siksha Abhijan Mission is doing commendable work as part of its integrated education for the disabled programme. They have included disabled children in the primary schools,” said Keteki Bardalai, an organiser.

“It is easier to equip teachers with skills to handle a special child rather than to set up a special school, which is an expensive proposition. We would urge the government to make it mandatory for government and private schools to include children with disability,” she added.

Sakie, an NGO, has initiated a signature campaign urging the authorities to make the new secretariat building at Dispur disabled-friendly. Only a few buildings in the capital city can claim to be disabled-friendly, while none of the markets or shopping complexes can. The Disability Act, 1995 provides for easy accessibility in public buildings and transport.

Slight modifications like buildings and toilets with ramps for wheelchair users and auditory signals along red lightscan go a long way in making accessibility easier for the disabled.