The Government of India passed the Disabilities Act in 1995. This law states that persons with disabilities have equal rights, and that the government should make possible their full participation in society. The government has to provide free education and integrate children with disabilities into mainstream schools. This law also states that all public places including buildings, schools, etc., should be accessible and provided with ramps.
Look at the photograph and think about the boy who is being carried down the stairs. Do you think the above law is being implemented in his case? What needs to be done to make the building more accessible for him? How would his being carried down the stairs affect his dignity as well as his safety?
No, the Disabilities Act (1995) is not being implemented in this case. According to the Disabilities Act, it is mandatory for all the public buildings, primary health centers to provide ramps for the easy access to the people with disabilities. The aim of the Disabilities Act is the “full participation and equality of the people with disabilities”. By not providing ramps, the dignity of this person is violated. He is not being provided with the opportunity to be self-independent. It is also an attack on his self-confidence. It might affect his safety in the sense, if the people who are carrying him lost their balance, it will cause him some serious injury.