Srinagar, Dec 03 (KNO): On ‘World Disability Day’, scores of differently-abled persons under the banner of the Jammu and Kashmir Handicapped Association (JKHA) Wednesday morning staged a protest at Press Enclave, Srinagar—demanding implementation of welfare schemes for persons with disabilities.
The protesters were carrying placards that read ‘Insaaf Karo, Disabled Ke Saath Nafrat Nahi’ and ‘We Need Accessibility’, they said “We facing the government's apathy and indifference.”
They further said that despite repeated assurances, the administration has failed to provide them the basic facilities like job reservations and accessible infrastructure.
While speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Chairman of J&K Handicapped Welfare Society Sajad Anwar Masoodi said, “Despite tall promises, nothing has changed for us. We continue to struggle for pensions, employment opportunities, and barrier-free spaces.”
He said, “We are not asking for sympathy, we are demanding our rights. The government must ensure accessibility and inclusion at every level.”
The members of the JKHA appealed the government to implement special employment schemes for disabled youth and requested to provide them laptops with screen-reading software for the visually impaired students. Besides, the association urges the government to strengthen the Braille system of education from primary to university levels.
They also demanded four percent job reservation in all government departments, fuel-operated scooters for mobility and zero-interest loans to help them start small businesses and live with dignity.
Masoodi said that while other states have rolled out robust welfare policies, “The disabled community in J&K continues to be ignored and sidelined.”
“We are struggling every single day to survive with dignity. Without government support, our lives become a daily struggle for existence,” he said, urging Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the concerned departments to intervene immediately.
The protestors also called for an increase in monthly assistance for the disabled individuals, many of whom face financial hardships amid rising costs of living.
They urged the government to take concrete measures to uplift the differently-abled community rather than confining their issues to ceremonial observances on World Disability Day—(KNO)