Despite making multiple provisions to ensure that the persons with disabilities fully enjoy their fundamental rights just like any other person, it is unfortunate to find that that these provisions have mostly remained con- fined to files and paper work. Undoubtedly it can be said that successive governments have failed to address the multiple problems faced by them due to flawed implementation. This stands evidenced by the fact that the persons with disabili- ties have been organizing protests in the state of J&K as well as across the nation for the alleged apathy shown by the government towards their concerns. The past experi- ence reveals that even the days dedicated towards their specific cause is observed only ritually to create paper records and the real idea and spirit behind such day stands forgotten on the very next day. In such a situation there is a need for paradigm shift in the government’s approach towards the problems of the persons with disabilities. There is a dire need to strengthen the efforts on the implementa- tion front so that the real objective of facilitating the PwDs in enjoying the fundamental rights equitably. As per a survey disabled persons are mostly living in such areas where the services needed to assist them in overcoming their limita- tions are not available. To a large extent, disabled persons are exposed to physical, cultural and social barriers which handicap their lives even if rehabilitation assistance is avail- able. This is a clear indicator of the failure on the part of the society, be it the government or other agencies to make any progress on the front of addressing the genuine problems of the persons with disability in the society. The reasons for failure are quite obvious. There is a dire need to change the attitude of the official machinery towards this section of the population. It is important to understand each and every aspect of this problem that is faced across the globe but the agonies of this section especially in the poor and developing nations continue to multiply with the passage of time and deserve priority attention. We need to realize that societal understandings of disability are currently in the process of transition in view of recent developments in official docu- ments regarding definitions of disability and rehabilitation.
Although economic and demographic factors are increas- ingly relevant, it is evident that the driving force behind this phenomenon was the unprecedented politicization of dis- ability by disabled activists, their allies, and the growing demand for equity of opportunity for people with ascribed impairments. The failure on this front can easily be ascribed to the ongoing tendency amongst politicians, policy makers, and academics to link disability to health only, thus propa- gating the misguided illusion that ‘poor heath’ and the disad- vantages experienced by people with ascribed impairments can be overcome with medical rather than political solutions.
As a result of this approach the rehabilitation philosophies and practices remain locked in person centered approach- es. While medical interventions and treatments are impor- tant, it is evident from the analysis of past happenings that public health and the problems encountered by disabled people are political issues that can only be resolved by strong structural and cultural change. To deal with the issues of this significant section of the society there is a need for massive participation of people as individuals as well as in groups in the form of NGOs for the effective imple- mentation of the schemes and programmes rolled out spe- cially foe them. Not only this, even the persons with disabil- ities can play a vital role in ensuring that desired results are delivered. It is hoped that the grouse of this disabled lot especially on the implementation front is addressed first and foremost so that they don’t feel neglected any more.