Community should ensure disability inclusion, says Nagaland CM’s wife

Our Correspondent

Kohima, Dec. 3 (EMN): Marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the disability community in Kohima came up with a unique way of celebrating the occasion by featuring works of four artistes with disabilities at a fun fair held here at the NBCC Convention Centre, Kohima, on Saturday.

Speaking at the event, Kaisa Rio, wife of Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, said that disability inclusion is an essential condition towards upholding human rights, sustainable development, and peace and security.

‘Persons with disabilities have the right to work, live independently, avail equal opportunities, and participate fully in the life of their community. All citizens have a right to a life without barriers. And it is an obligation of the community to ensure their full participation in society on an equal basis with others,’ she said.

‘Barriers faced by persons with disabilities are a detriment to society. But when barriers to their inclusion are removed and persons with disabilities are empowered to participate fully in societal life, their entire community benefits,’ Rio said, citing evidences and experience.

She expressed happiness at the progress being made in the state but said much remains to be done.

“Moreover, the commitment to realising the rights of persons with disabilities is not only a matter of justice; it is an investment in a common future,” she pointed out.

‘The community is enriched by the presence of persons with disabilities and is inspired by how they teach to accept challenges with grace and humility. We honour them and their tremendous strength, resilience, and skill. However, we also recognise the many barriers that still exist in society that impede their success and realisation of their full potential.

‘It is a sad reality that in many societies, including Nagaland, persons with disabilities often face physical, social, economic, and attitudinal barriers that exclude them from participating fully and effectively as equal members of their society,’ she added.

State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Diethono Nakhro, spoke on accessible and inclusive tourism during the occasion.

‘Making tourism accessible is not only a social responsibility but also a compelling business case. There is a growing body of evidence showing that people with disabilities and their support ecosystem make up a significant proportion of the overall global tourism market,’ she said.

“We are missing out on this huge business opportunity because we do not care to address the need to make our tourism responsible, accessible, and inclusive. Nagaland needs to wake up! Disability inclusion is a smart business strategy!” she added.

‘As the state continues to push forward in making the state a top tourist destination, one cannot afford to keep ignoring the aspect of accessible tourism, which is all about making travel and tourism destinations, products, services, and information suitable for all those who have particular accessibility needs; and this does not only mean the disabled community, it includes the elderly and travellers with young children.

‘In the recent years, some significant progress has been made to advance the rights and opportunities for people with disabilities. But the fact remains that we still have a very long way to go. People who live with disabilities continue to face numerous barriers, not only to basic opportunities and services, but to participation in society itself,’ she continued.

Nakhro said that no development goal will ever be successfully achieved as long as a huge chunk of the population is excluded and left behind.

“Unless we factor in disability inclusion, there can never be any kind of meaningful development. Disability inclusion is non optional. Ensuring an accessible and inclusive future is everyone’s responsibility, a shared investment,’ she said.

She urged all to break the barriers and create an equal world with equal opportunities for all, while adding that for far too long, disabled people in Nagaland have faced exclusion, indifference, and isolation.

‘This is not just unfair – it is wrong, and it needs to change,’ she said.

On this year’s theme ‘Transformative solutions for inclusive development’, she said it recognises that the world is at a critical moment in history and it is time to act and find joint solutions in building a more sustainable and resilient world for all.

The works of four artistes with disabilities were featured on the occasion, and they were Imlisunep, who paints with his mouth; Amenuo Khoubve, a self-taught deaf artist; Nokmachier L Jamir, another deaf artist, and Kutoli N.

The occasion also saw a craft-making demonstration by persons with disabilities and various products made by them were on sale.