Disability certification lowest in Wka, Tsg and Noklak: Survey
Along with the rest of the world, International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) was celebrated in Kohima and Dimapur on December 3.
Persons with disability (PwDs) certification is lowest in Wokha, Tuensang and Noklak, and highest in Mokokchung, Kohima and Dimapur. This was revealed in “Research Report: Impact of COVID-19 on PwDs” by consultant and visiting faculty of North East Institute of Social Sciences & Research (NEISSR), Dimapur, Dr Deben Bachaspatimayum at the International Day of Disabled Persons celebration on the theme “Leadership and participation of PwDs toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 world” at Kohima Science College, Jotsoma, on Friday. The survey was conducted by office of State commissioner for PwDs with NEISSR.
Bachaspatimayum said the survey was conducted on 506 PwDs across 12 districts covering urban, town and rural areas, adding that hearing ranked the highest and mental illness ranked the lowest among the types of disabilities.
He said the survey found that 41% were literate and 59% illiterate, while literacy rate among the PwDs was highest in Kohima and lowest in Tuensang. He said 29% were studying, 20% were self-employed, 30% were unemployed and 21% were employed. Among those employed, he revealed that 55% were in government sector, 29% in private sector, 9% in religious institutes and 7% in NGOs.
Regarding awareness vis-à-vis government schemes for PwDs, he said the highest awareness was in Dimapur and least awareness was in Longleng. Among the different agencies that helped and supported PwDs during lockdown, it was the church that played a key role in most districts.
The NEISSR consultant explained that the objective of the survey was to assess the response of the government, community-based organisations, church, NGOs and family.
He added that the survey also aimed to assess the access to existing social welfare schemes meant for PwDs in both urban and rural areas, besides suggesting ways for resilient and sustainable support systems and mechanisms for PwDs for future emergency.
Guest of honour Christine Iralu explained that the International Day of Disabled Persons was observed to celebrate those who contributed immensely to the society in spite of hurdles and challenges. She urged everyone to be mindful of those who needed support, encouragement and help to overcome the obstacles and difficulties.
She remarked that Covid-19 pandemic served as a reminder that everyone was equal regardless of culture, religion, occupation, financial status and how famous one was. She said the pandemic treated all equally and “we should too”. She also released IEC pamphlets on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, commissioner & secretary, social welfare department, Sarah R Ritse assured that the department was ever ready to help PwDs. She also released a video “Different is cool” by disability commissioner, Nagaland.
Delivering a keynote address, State commissioner for PwDs Diethono Nakhro said the pandemic was widening gaps, creating further disadvantages and increasing vulnerability of many disabled people. She said real accessibility and inclusion would only be achieved through active consultation with disabled people who have lived experiences.
PwDs Ngaugonbe and Rodeno Tungoe also spoke on the occasion.
The gathering was regaled by “A million dreams” by Gracely, “Beat box brilliance” by Anguzo Kense and “It’s a hard knock life” by Jo Foundation Inclusive School, Kohima. Tabitha Enabling Academy and Cherry Blossoms School displayed handicrafts for sale.
Dimapur: In Dimapur, International Day of Persons with Disabilities was organised by Prodigals’ Home, in collaboration with office of DC, DDRC, DEO, SWD, and Exodus, at Hotel Saramati under the theme, “Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities towards an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post Covid 19 world”.
Delivering the solidarity speech, SDO (Civil), Yanthungbemo Kikon, maintained that Nagas have come far as an inclusive society, stressing on the improvement of recognition, as well as participation of people with disabilities in different fields and different platforms.
He stated that role and participation of people with disabilities both at social and economic level had spanned over centuries, however he said “as we try to rebuild normal life in the aftermath of Covid-19, it had impacted upon the urgency to recognize and explore opportunities and challenges faced by people with disabilities in this path of normalcy is felt very intensely”.
Kikon further opined that for a society to involve and move forward for better services and avenues for people with disabilities, all should shoulder the responsibility to create awareness on the issues and challenges faced by people with disabilities, adding that it can only be learned only through well-informed mind of citizens that could bring about changes in the society.
Field coordinator, Community Mental Health Programme (CHMP), K Sani spoke on services and activities of CHMP, while Shikato Zhimo, spoke on the schemes and facilities of social welfare department.
Sani in his speech stated that objectives of CMHP was to increase mental health services in partnership with various stakeholders, and to increase human resources in mental health services delivery at community.
He pointed out that CMHP aimed to increase awareness on mental health and reduce stigma related to mental illness, and also to improve ability of persons with mental illness to function in family, at work and society at large.
Sani added that free services have been provided such as screening, diagnosis by psychiatrist and clinical psychologist at Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR), enrolment and registration of persons with disorders into the programme, and various others.
Meanwhile, District Education Officer, Kisheli Shikho, spoke on inclusive education, while president Exodus, Rongsen, delivered on concerns and way forward on DPO.
Shikho in her speech maintained that there should be no discrimination in attainment of quality education, wherein she said that it should be the principle of all to acknowledge all children irrespective of their capabilities, further adding that our duty is to provide them quality education.
She stated that children, irrespective of their shortcomings, impairments, and disabilities, not only have right to education, but were also endowed with capacity to learn and progress with help.
She further added that inclusive education programmes do not focus on accommodation of such children into general education settings, but were focused to accept and provide for needs of all students with specialized instruction and support without labelling them as disabled or exceptional. “All children in all shades of their ability are welcomed by making necessary arrangements in the same school and classes along with their nondisabled peers”, she added.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Yangerjungla and invocation offered by Exodus member, Bano.
Highlights of the programme included songs presentation from Solanchi & friends, and Paulina, while the keynote address was delivered by resource person, Samagrah Shiksha Dimapur, Vikhili Assumi.