Living with Special Needs - Inputs on Solutions

Dear Friends,

Below are the Root Causes and Issues related to Living with Special Needs in India.

Based on these, kindly identify solutions that can be implemented to make life easier in India for people with Special Needs.

Once done, we will compile the whitepaper on the subject and share with relevant Ministries/Departments in the Government for actions.

I greatly appreciate your participation on this subject!
Rajendra Pratap Gupta

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Living with Special Needs in India – Root Causes

1. There is no reservation for kids with Special Needs in schools or colleges
2. Government offices and public transport systems have not been designed keeping people with Special Needs in mind
3. People with Special Needs require specialised medical services which are not offered by all hospitals
4. The general presumption is that people with Special Needs are not fit for educated work profiles
5. Aid equipment for people with Special Needs are mostly imported and are hence expensive
6. Government has no counselling facility for these people
7. No consideration for people with Special Needs while designing the infrastructure, like buildings, buses, etc.
8. Policies designed by Government often neglect requirements of people with Special Needs
9. Benefits of existing schemes don't reach intended beneficiaries due to administrative inefficiencies
10. Lack of awareness among people with Special Needs regarding various Government initiatives for them
11. People with Special Needs experience low social status, thus they have lower self-esteem and lack confidence to lead a healthy life
12. Lack of awareness in the society about requirements of people with Special Needs
13. Lack of research and development in the medical field on this issue
14. Movies often portray people with disabilities as bad guys
15. Insurance companies are not ready to grant medical insurance to specially abled
16. A legal clause allows schools to deny them their right to education by saying that if the child does not get admission in any school, then he can opt for home based education
17. Obtaining a handicapped certificate is a very tedious process and so is its renewal
18. No subsidy from the Government for the purchase of wheelchairs and prosthetics


Living with Special Needs in India – Key Issues

1. Society is not ready to accept People with Special Needs
2. Admitting kids with Special Needs into schools is quite a challenge
3. Public transportation is completely inaccessible
4. Discrimination in employing people with Special Needs in public and private sector
5. Assistance devices not easily available in India
6. Pedestrian paths are not friendly for Special Need individuals
7. School, Colleges, Government offices etc. do not have lifts
8. Lack of separate toilets for people with Special Needs
9. Shops, ATMs, are not easily accessible because of the height at which they are placed
10. No ramps in any department stores, religious places etc.
11. Medical Services are tough to get and are costly
12. Very few Government Centers to take care of people with Special Needs
13. Lack of special parking areas near the buildings
14. Job prospects are few for such individuals
15. No adequate signs in public places to help people with Special Needs
16. Individuals that are Poor and have Special Needs are unable to afford right tools to help them lead normal lives
17. Mentally challenged have tougher time specifically women, they are raped, tortured as they can’t defend themselves
18. Braille is still not used in all competitive exam
19. Hearing aids and many such equipment required by Special Needs individuals for basic mobility are very costly more