by Zaheer Jan
The voices raised by parents and persons with disabilities in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as across India, reflect a broader, global call for governments and societies to create inclusive and supportive environments for people with disabilities.
World Disability Day, observed annually on December 3, is a global reminder of the rights and dignity of people with disabilities. This day underscores the importance of fostering inclusive communities that provide equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of physical or mental challenges. It poignantly reminds us that people with disabilities deserve the same opportunities as anyone else, and the need for better accessibility, support systems, and inclusive policies continues to grow worldwide.
In Jammu and Kashmir, parents of children with special needs are seizing the occasion of World Disability Day to press for urgent reforms in inclusive education and healthcare systems. They are urging government authorities to prioritise the inclusion of these children in education, vocational training, and healthcare early intervention services. This call is part of a broader effort to advocate for better resources, policies, and support for children with various disabilities, ensuring they are not left behind in society.
The struggle for inclusivity is particularly pronounced in Jammu and Kashmir, where parents of thousands of children with special needs are finding it increasingly difficult to access early intervention services, vocational training, and inclusive education, particularly in rural areas. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) running special schools and rehabilitation child development centres lack the necessary trained staff and infrastructure to meet the needs of children with special needs. Consequently, many parents feel trapped in their search for inclusive education in mainstream private schools. A staggering 99 per cent of parents prefer not to send their children to NGO-run special schools due to social stigma.
According to parents, most NGOs working for disability rights focus primarily on raising funds for special needs but fail to provide the proper facilities and support required. “The NGOs are more interested in raising funds and less interested in providing quality services,” said one parent, who wished to remain anonymous. Another parent lamented, “We are tired of being promised inclusive education and healthcare, but nothing changes on the ground.”
According to the 2011 Census, a minimum of 361,153 people in Jammu and Kashmir were living with various disabilities. Although no new census has been conducted since then, research and surveys by various NGOs and government agencies suggest that the number of individuals with disabilities has increased significantly. The estimated number of people with disabilities in Jammu and Kashmir now stands at approximately 663,823, with 383,032 being males and 280,791 being females, according to different research studies conducted by research scholars and NGOs working for people with disabilities.
In Jammu and Kashmir, approximately 64,000 children with various disabilities have been enrolled in the government’s education programme, SAMAGRA, across all districts of the region. The initiative, implemented by the government’s Education Department, aims to promote inclusive education. As part of this effort, 4 to 5 resource rooms for children with special needs have been set up in each district. Furthermore, the Jammu and Kashmir government’s Education Department has appointed 160 special educators and resource persons for various schools in each district.
However, numerous parents have reported that these resource rooms are often not fully equipped with the necessary materials or proper accessibility, and some are not functioning effectively. The limited number of resource rooms in each district also poses a significant challenge for children with special needs in rural areas, who face difficulties in accessing them due to the challenges of travelling long distances. Moreover, all private schools, including renowned ones in the valley, refuse to admit children with special needs into mainstream education, violating the RPWD Act 2016. Despite a circular issued by the Director of School Education in 2023, stating that no school can deny admission, these private schools continue to refuse admission to children with special needs.
The lack of inclusive education and adequate healthcare facilities has led some parents to become disillusioned with the system, prompting them to leave Kashmir in search of better treatment and inclusive education for their children. They report that many Rehabilitation Child Development centres and NGOs in the region are not providing adequate care, with some centres prioritising financial gain over properly addressing the needs of children with special needs. Beyond inclusive education, healthcare and early intervention services for children with special needs, including those with Autism, ADHD, and Learning Disabilities, are critical issues that require urgent attention.
Parents and caregivers of children with special needs in Jammu and Kashmir often struggle with inadequate healthcare facilities, a shortage of specialized rehabilitation professionals, and a lack of assistive technologies for those with mobility or sensory impairments. In a few districts, government-run Early Intervention Centres have been established, but many parents have reported that they did not receive regular, proper therapies. Furthermore, in most rural areas, parents are unable to access early intervention services at district hospitals due to limited resources. As a result, many children miss out on necessary interventions at the right time.
Parents are urging the government to increase the number of specialized Early Intervention Centres and healthcare professionals in every district to ensure that all children with special needs receive timely and appropriate interventions. They are also calling for hospitals with specialized Rehabilitation departments, accessible healthcare, and financial assistance to afford treatments for needy families. This, they argue, is essential for the overall well-being and development of children with special needs. Many parents are also experiencing depression and financial strain due to the difficulties of travelling long distances from one district to another for early intervention treatments.
The issue of accessibility remains a significant challenge in Jammu and Kashmir, with authorities failing to ensure smooth access for persons with disabilities. A harsh reality is that most government offices and universities lack basic facilities, such as ramps, to facilitate access for individuals with disabilities. In 2019, the Indian government mandated that all websites must be accessible to ensure that people with visual impairments or low vision can easily access them.
In a notable development, the Supreme Court of India recently directed the Central government to implement mandatory accessibility standards to improve access to public spaces, buses, and government offices. This move is seen as a significant step towards promoting inclusivity and accessibility for persons with disabilities.
The voices raised by parents and persons with disabilities in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as across India, reflect a broader, global call for governments and societies to create inclusive and supportive environments for people with disabilities. Policymakers are urged to prioritize the development of accessible educational institutions, healthcare systems, and employment opportunities. Furthermore, governments must enforce laws that protect the rights of individuals with disabilities, ensuring they are treated with respect and provided with the resources necessary for them to thrive.
On World Disability Day, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in the disability sector, rehabilitation child development centres, and special schools celebrate the occasion in various auditoriums. They design the stage with special needs children for different programs, and some organisations and rehab centres also organise free medical camps. While these events help NGOs gain visibility and attract donors and fundraising agencies, enabling them to receive more funds and support, some argue that the focus should shift from mere celebration to meaningful action.
As one advocate succinctly put it, ‘Ultimately, we should replace the question ‘What are we celebrating this December 3?’ with ‘What meaningful steps have we taken since the last December 3 to make inclusion a reality?’ The advocate emphasized that genuine celebration will happen when inclusion becomes a daily practice, not just an annual reminder.
(The author is a Senior Paediatric Rehabilitation Therapist and Social Worker (MSW). Ideas are personal.)
