DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION: SOCIETY’S SILENT SHAME

                     DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION: SOCIETY’S SILENT SHAME

SABITABRATA MANDAL

 

In today’s fast-paced world, we often encounter situations where people lack empathy and compassion towards those who are differently-abled. This insensitivity is not only seen in adults but also students. As a teacher, I have witnessed this first-hand in my classroom, and it breaks my heart to see how some students are treated just because they have specific disabilities.

Recently, I came across a situation in my class that made me reflect on the insensitivity of students towards their disabled classmates. It all started when I noticed Amit, a slow learner in my class, struggling to keep up with the other students. Amit’s parents were street hawkers, and they never visited the school despite repeated calls from me as his class teacher. I knew Amit needed extra support and guidance to excel in his studies. Still, I couldn't give him the individual attention he required due to my other responsibilities as a teacher.

It was then that I decided to ask one of my bright students, Rohan, to help Amit during class. Rohan had always been a bright student, and I knew he had the potential to guide Amit in his studies. To my surprise, Rohan readily agreed to help Amit, and for two to three days, he sat next to him and patiently explained everything that was being taught in class.

However, after a few days, Rohan’s mother approached me and asked why her child was being asked to help Amit. She told me that her child was not interested in this. She questioned the significance of Rohan’s time spent on someone who may be unable to keep up with him academically. What is the benefit of helping a child, and why other students will not do the same?

Feeling disappointed by her reaction, I realised that despite Rohan helping Amit out of compulsion or fear of the class teacher, his mother failed to see its value. I didn’t want Rohan’s parents or any other parents to think that helping someone with a disability was a waste of time. So, I turned to another bright student, Aryan, and asked him to help Amit.

Aryan was a quiet and reserved student in my class. He participated in class discussions and often takes responsibility. However, when I asked him to help Amit, he accepted without any hesitation. In place to explain the concepts, he wrote down whatever was discussed in the class. As I observed Aryan helping Amit, I noticed no change in Amit's social and emotional behaviour.

This incident made me realise the importance of inclusive education in our society. Scoring marks in the examination is not the sole aim of education. By asking my students to help Amit, I gave Amit the additional support he needed and taught my students the value of kindness and understanding towards those who are different from them.

Moreover, it was sad to find people insensitive towards others. When a child is growing, he is taught by elders to be self-centred. In this age of climate emergency, if we cannot teach our children to face social challenges together, how will the more significant challenges of the climate crisis be met?

As a teacher, I am responsible for creating an inclusive and compassionate learning environment for all my students. This incident has taught me that it is not just my responsibility but also that of parents and society to teach our children the importance of empathy and inclusivity toward differently-abled individuals. This value is necessary for all because we all need some help, as we are not good at everything. This is a case of uneducated poor parents, but I have seen educated parents fighting for the rights of their children with schools or teachers. Boycotting underachievers and their parents in big-name public schools is common. Teachers consider them problems, so they either neglect or scold them. Nowadays, there is another option for teachers to send them to special educators or counsellors, whatever is available; hence, their responsibility ends there. School administrators are bothered about the children's performance in the board examination; therefore, they try to push them out of the school.

I also realised that it is not just the students who are insensitive towards disabled individuals, but sometimes even their parents are too. It is alarming to see how some parents, teachers, and administrators fail to understand the needs of their children with disabilities and do not make an effort to be involved in their child's education. As sensitive teachers, we can only do so much. Still, the support and involvement of parents, other fellow teachers or administrators are crucial in helping a child with disabilities to grow to their full potential.

 Regular awareness programs and interactive workshops can effectively raise awareness and promote empathy towards individuals with disabilities. Such initiatives can help parents, teachers, and society understand the special needs and challenges of differently abled children in our school system and learn how to support and include them in mainstream culture. Creating a supportive and inclusive environment for differently abled children is essential, and such programs can play an important role in achieving a common social goal.

It takes a village to raise a child, and in this case, it took a team effort to provide Amit with the support he needed to achieve the minimum level of learning to lead an everyday, independent life.

In conclusion, our society's insensitivity toward disabled students is a wake-up call. We must educate ourselves and our children about the importance of inclusivity and empathy toward the differently abled. Let us create a culture where everyone gets their due share of fellow human beings irrespective of their abilities or disabilities. Only then can we honestly say we are a compassionate and inclusive society.