Inequitable dealings

The topic of differently-abled or ‘special’ children rarely receives attention in mainstream discourse. We live in a culture that willfully neglects certain groups of society, be they women, minorities, the underprivileged, or children with learning disabilities. An example of the latter was recently reported wherein 10 national public institutions for ‘special’ children were found squandering government funds. It seems that in any government realm, corruption is the first order of business. Likewise, in the case of national institutions for special children, there is gross misappropriation of funds along with the never-ending budget shortage for the sector.

In light of the above, the Directorate General for Special Education must be investigated and certain practices scrutinised. First, the number of excessive staff needs to be reduced as they continue to usurp funds. The focus should be on investing in human capital that is skilled at and passionate about improving the lives of students. Next, rather than establishing new institutions, current schools could include resource rooms for children with special needs. The current conditions of institutions for handicapped children are inhumane and violate human rights: defective furniture at these facilities and the allotment of a single van at one institution to shuttle 200 physically handicapped children, who require extra space for manoeuvering, is unjust.

Beyond physical facilities such as wheelchair ramps, handicap parking spots, and elevators in public and private spaces, there is also a need for better access to mental, physical and emotional healthcare along with equal educational and employment opportunities for special persons. Until the national discourse changes and enables the incorporation of special persons into mainstream society, they will continue to be marginalised and neglected. It is not the job of philanthropists to work in this area. This is something the government is responsible for, and that is to ensure all segments of society are looked after and their rights protected.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th, 2015.

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