Dubai residents say Arab countries must do more for people with disabilities

From Gulf News in UAE:

DUBAI, UAE -- The talk about integration of people with disabilities into society could be viewed as nothing more than a "fashion statement".

With the upcoming International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, Gulf News asked readers how equal those with disabilities truly are in our society.

For 34-year-old Indian expatriate Ghanshyam Vasudeo Vyas, all the talk about integration was nothing more than a "fashion statement".

"The fact is that as a society we do not treat them equally and are uncomfortable with them being around us," he said.

His comments are backed by statistics provided by the United Nations — less than 3 per cent of adults with disabilities are literate while more than 90 per cent of children with disabilities in developing countries never attend school.

Having seen one of his relatives grow up with a lip disfigurement, Vyas was able to understand well the problems a person with disabilities faces in society.

"My relative cannot speak as fluently as we would have liked, but the only requirement with him is patience. I can see the happiness in his eyes when someone stops and gives him the time to listen."

Television programmes and films should have more such characters, as the integration on celluloid might translate into real-life integration of those with disabilities, according to Vyas.

"We need to understand that all are not born equal. So, for those few unfortunate ones, we need to run the extra mile and make them part of the rest of us."

Peter Van Veyeren, a South African expatriate living in Dubai, agreed.

"I have friends who are disabled, and while it doesn't bother me, it appears to bother other people. They don't know how to talk to them or interact with them," Veyeren said. He felt that there were limited facilities for those in wheelchairs, which was a major obstacle in the integration process. He also stressed the need for people to take little steps like talking more often to the disabled.

"Just go and talk to them. If you are at a function and you see someone in a wheelchair, just walk across and strike [up] a conversation."

He felt that the acceptance within a society would result only from such efforts.

However, Sa'ad Jasem, an Abu Dhabi-based Canadian expatriate, felt that these changes were already beginning to take place. Working in the construction industry, Jasem has seen many positive steps being taken in the recent past, aimed at facilitating the integration process.

"Seminars for engineers focused on modifying construction projects are being organised quite regularly. Ramps and special restrooms will be part of future construction projects, which is an excellent step," he said.

Jasem urged employers to take the initiative, too, and mention in advertisements for job vacancies that preference would be given to the capable and disabled. Having worked with a colleague with impaired hearing, Jasem has a good experience in interacting with those with disabilities. The key, according to him, is not to show too much sympathy, as it would make them feel handicapped.

"Every nationality I have met is ready to integrate those with disabilities. No one at my office treats our colleague as disabled. The realisation that we don't have to modify our behaviour makes him feel really good."