Minimal representation of PwDs in public spaces, says Prof. Bendangrenla Longkumer

MOKOKCHUNG — Bendangrenla S Longkumer, assistant professor at Fazl Ali College’s department of English, said on Sunday that there is minimal representation of persons with disabilities (PwDs) in public spaces, and people must work to make them visible and empower them to occupy public spaces.

Longkumer was speaking as the keynote speaker at the commemoration programme of International Day of Persons with Disabilities at Ungma village, in Mokokchung district, on the topic ‘United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for, with, and by persons with disabilities’.

The professor observed that many people confine PwDs at home due to insufficient disabled-friendly facilities and infrastructure, as well as a lack of knowledge and awareness about PwDs in society. She stated that if people here are to progress with the rest of the world, they must break the chain of social stigma, superstitions, and assumptions about PwDs.

Longkumer mentioned that the United Nations adopted the SDGs in 2015 with the goal of achieving 17 goals by 2030, 11 of which are related to PwDs, and added that in order to achieve these goals, people must work together and review and reflect the world views, beliefs, and working systems of society.

According to her, the collaboration has to be on three levels—institutional and organisational level, the caretakers level, and the individual level.

She, however, lamented that in Nagaland, even basic amenities for PwDs are not adequate; for instance, something as simple as a wheelchair ramp is not present in many public buildings.

She added that even in schools and educational institutions, people do not have any provisions for special needs, such as educators and counsellors who specialise in education of students with learning disabilities.

Infrastructural gaps and systemic deficiencies are the reasons why PwDs can’t reach their potential, Longkumer said.

In his speech, Rev. Professor Dr. Mar Pongener, executive secretary of Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM), stated that PwDs is one of the important ministries under ABAM and that the organisation takes this ministry very seriously.

He mentioned that as part of the 150 years of Christianity celebration, ABAM organised two programmes for PwDs—one in Dimapur and another at Impur Mission Centre—and is planning a certification and assessment camp in collaboration with the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India and the District Disability Rehabilitation Centre, Dimapur.

It also intends to organise special medical camps for PwDs where doctors will treat each patient individually and provide wheelchairs, earning kits, and other items.

Moatoshi, assistant district programme manager at Nagaland State Rural Livelihood Mission (NSRLM) Mokokchung, who also spoke on the occasion, stated that NSRLM adopted a social inclusion strategy under the social inclusion and development component last fiscal year.

As part of its annual action plan, NSRLM held an advocacy-cum-workshop last December with Mokokchung District Disable Forum (MDDF), Mokokchung District Legal Services Authority, and Social Welfare Department, where action plans were adopted, and this programme was one of them, he said.

He further informed that NSRLM will be conducting advocacy-cum-workshops at Mangkolemba and Tuli RD blocks scheduled for January 2024.

More than 200 PwDs attended the programme, which was organised by MDDF and NSRLM Mokokchung.

Also read: Assessment camps for PwDs held in Dimapur, Chümoukedima