In spite of being 10 per cent of Indian population, disabled persons continue to face discrimination even though there are several laws to ensure their well being.Travelling, one of the most challenging tasks for disabled, is made more challenging by the apathy of various transportation departments in the country.
Starting from the absence of wheelchair ramps and easy access to bathrooms in restaurants and hotels, the list goes on quite long. The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act was passed in 1995 to safeguard the rights of physically disabled persons. But so many guidelines mentioned in the act are neglected by KSRTC and the transport department, says K Thajuddeen, vice-president of Kerala Vikalanga Association (KVA).
The task of procuring and renewing various identity cards have become an ordeal for disabled persons as each institution asks for separate identity cards, say KVA representatives. Referring to breach of guidelines of the act, Mr Thajuddeen said "The 1995 Act requires the government to issue an identity card for disabled and this card is valid enough to avail concessions in all institutions in the country. But KSRTC demands separate identity cards issued by them. The demand for a separate identity card nullifies an identity card issued as per the 1995 Act, procedures of which include examination by a medical board consisting of five doctors and a superintendent,” said Mr Thajuddeen.
According to KVA, KSRTC tops the list of institutions that make their travelling difficult. Mr Thajuddeen said “Verification of address for identity card is done by KSRTC officials, for which we have to rent a taxi and pay other expenses to get a sanction. Most of the disabled persons are very poor and struggle to make a living. The procedure of renewing the identity card has become an unbearable ordeal for us in terms of money and time.”The Act also specifies 40 per cent disability as the eligibility to get travel concessions, whereas KSRTC gives concessions only to persons with more than 50 per cent disability, Mr Thajuddeen said.KSRTC officials defended the use of a separate identity card stating that law demands a separate identity card for KSRTC. “We ask for a separate identity card because we want to know the percentage of disability and also because our law states that we should do so,” said TR Satheesan, law officer of KSRTC.
The neglect of KSRTC officials towards disabled is not limited to identity cards alone. "They have avoided marking the seats reserved for disabled persons in the new high-tech buses even though we are eligible to travel in buses run as a fast passenger," said Mr Thajuddeen.
When it comes to travelling via railway, the situation is much better, says Mr Thajuddeen. Railway approves the identity card issued as per the 1995 Act and is much better in providing ramps and access ways for disabled, he said. Railway also gives proper concession in fares as opposed to KSRTC, which gives concession only if one is 50 per cent disabled, he said. “But there aren’t enough facilities in many railway stations and the existing facilities have to be improved,” he added.
