Globally, respectful language, communication and etiquette have been prescribed, mentioned and used during communications, pleadings, judicial orders, academic writings, official work, educational textbooks, pamphlets, across public and private offices as regards the specially-abled persons.
The Constitution of India and universal declarations treat all men and women to be equal. Actually the fundamental values of the United Nations revolve around this faith—the dignity and worth of humans. To stay true to these values, there is a need to bring marginalised communities from the fringes back into the development mainstream.
Undeniably, there has been a deep shift, both in perspective and legislations, regarding the understanding of disability in humans. At one point in time, such people would be considered unfortunate, and then abandoned and left to fend for themselves. At the most it would be their parents or the immediate family that would take some care. As things stand now, these people are no longer considered to be a burden and notably, the tag of misfortune is fading away. While the credit goes to a comprehensive change in the way the problem is looked at now, the discrimination against them on various fronts still exists which is equally unfortunate.
As has been rightly put by the J&K and Ladakh High Court specially abled persons be treated properly by the language recognized internationally.
There is a need to value the universal conventions and the sentiments of these specially abled persons for giving them full support humanly and socially. The court has expressed hope and trust that the society as a whole shall recognize their rights as guaranteed under the Constitution.
The specially-abled persons are to be treated properly by the language recognized internationally. They should get all the respect and honour like other citizens in terms of their personality without letting them suffer any impression that the society and State sees and address the physically and mentally challenged persons as liabilities carrying personalities. As rightly pointed out and underlined by the Court, “sensitivity has to be in full operation.”
There is a need to ponder over our responsibilities towards each other and it is perhaps time to use this time as a catalyst for change and work together to ensure that all the persons with disabilities enjoy the full range of human rights.
