Be sensitive toward specially-abled!

The announcement of J&K government's announcement of a scholarship scheme for the state's specially-abled students is an appreciable step in the sphere of state's concern towards this special section of society.
According to the announcement the meritorious boy and girl student with such cases would be awarded the financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh each every year.
It also says that the main objectives of ‘J&K government scholarship scheme for specially-abled students' are to assist and encourage students with special needs; to study as well as acquire technical, professional or vocational training and to enable them to earn a dignified living and become useful members of the society
However, the situation available in J&K is otherwise and seems insensitive. We have less educational facilities but on the next side a larger number of youth with disabilities who overcome immense challenges and attain higher qualifications with the support of parents, caregivers, friends and relatives etc, face difficulties to attain employment. The recruiting agencies like Public service Commission and State Services Recruitment Board ignore the recruitment of educated youth with disabilities. Even there is no mention of disability category in the notifications of these recruiting agencies. It is very odd that recruiting agencies of our state compel eligible youth with disabilities to compete with non disabled/open merit candidates and only after passing screening test they are eligible to seek reservation. Hundreds of cases for seeking loan under National Handicapped Finance Development Corporation schemes are pending in the district offices of SC/ST/OBC board in Jammu and Kashmir State. Demanding complicated procedures, like guarantors, mortgages and interviews, youth with disabilities get discouraged and instead establishing business and enjoying economic rehabilitation, they are compelled to live a dependent and charity oriented life. Employment and work should be prioritized over the pension given through social welfare department.
It is important to keep in mind that disability is part of the human condition, and that all of us either are or may become disabled to one degree or another during the course of our lives.
Despite the day being observed for the past 26 years, it still remains a question as to how inclusive our society is towards persons with physical challenges. Many buildings, both public and private, still remain inaccessible for the differently-abled as they don't have ramps. Our trains and buses don't have special measures for the easy boarding of such people.
It is high time the government and people joined hands to make this world an inclusive and equal place to live for all, especially physically-challenged people. Measures should be taken to install ramps and other disabled-friendly facilities in all buildings. Public transport should be made easily accessible to them. As mentioned in a UN note, “Persons with disabilities, as both beneficiaries and agents of change, can fast track the process towards inclusive and sustainable development and promote resilient society for all, including in the context of disaster risk reduction and humanitarian action, and urban development. Governments, persons with disabilities and their representative organisations, academic institutions and the private sector need to work as a ‘team' to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”