On the 5th of December, 2024, the Department of English Studies & NSS, Central University of Jharkhand, organised a 2-day event ‘From the Margins to the Centre: Multiple Echoes of Disability & Inclusion’ to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3rd December). This programme was conducted in collaboration with the Composite Regional Centre for Skill Development, Rehabilitation, and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (CRC) Ranchi, Government of India.
On Day 2 of this event, an online panel consisting of renowned activists, scholars, and social workers in the field of disability rights discussed the urgent need to foster awareness, promote inclusivity, and emphasize accessibility for persons with disabilities. These esteemed speakers included Suryamani Prasad, Director of the CRC; Anita Ghai, prominent scholar of disability studies and gender studies; Preeti Monga, writer and Founder of the Silver Linings Trust; Nidhi Ashok Goyal, Founder and Executive Director of Rising Flame; Subhash Vashisth, lawyer specialising in accessibility, universal design and diversity inclusion; Dr. Akshansh Gupta, an acclaimed scientist with cerebral palsy at CEERI-CSIR; Dr. Sandeep R. Singh, scholar of English literature and disability; Dr. Jagdish Singh, Assistant Professor at SGTB Khalsa College; and Dr. Kumar Nripendra Pathak, disability law and employment expert.
Mr. Prasad began the session by introducing the work of the Composite Regional Centre (CRC), an initiative under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. He detailed the centre’s wide-ranging services, which include clinical support, academic initiatives, and extensive outreach programs aimed at skill development, rehabilitation, and empowerment.
Dr. Anita Ghai, a leading scholar in disability and gender studies, delved into how literature provides a lens to understand disability. Citing the works of authors like Anita Desai and Firdaus Kanga, she underscored the power of narratives to illuminate the lived experiences of persons with disabilities, challenging stereotypes and fostering empathy. Similarly, Dr. Singh urged a shift in focus from collective narratives to individual experiences, particularly through literature and life writing. He emphasized the importance of representing the “radical vulnerabilities” of disabled individuals without tempering them to suit able-bodied discomfort. Through these narratives, dominant social norms can be questioned, paving the way for a deeper understanding of marginalisation.
Ms. Preeti Monga shared her personal journey, recounting how her blindness was discovered by her teachers in Tripura, and was immediately accommodated through practices such as oral assessments and teaching methods involving reading aloud, as opposed to writing on the board. However, she reflected on the shift in her experience when she was sent to a school for the blind in 1972, highlighting how increased awareness paradoxically led to segregation rather than inclusion. Her work today focuses on ensuring quality education for blind children, advocating for integration into mainstream schools rather than isolation.
Nidhi Ashok Goyal enriched the discussion through her impassioned challenge to the pervasive “us vs. them” mentality that frames society as inherently able-bodied, arguing for a paradigm shift towards inclusivity for all. She critiqued stereotypical portrayals of disabled individuals as either pitiful or inspirational, advocating instead for a narrative that recognises their full humanity. She also outlined actionable steps for students, institutions, and organizations: changing mindsets, improving infrastructure, and committing to inclusion.
Dr. Gupta, a scientist with cerebral palsy, shared how he has consistently defied societal assumptions about his abilities. He emphasized that his work not only addresses the needs of persons with disabilities but also contributes to scientific advancements benefiting all of humanity.
Mr. Vashisth expanded on this proposed improvement of infrastructure. He introduced the concept of “discrimination by design,” contrasting it with “enable by design,” which respects human diversity in all its forms. He advocated for universal design principles, which aim to create environments accessible to all, regardless of ability. He also discussed the challenges of aligning domestic laws with international standards like UN conventions.
In a similar vein, Dr. Pathak, an expert in disability law and employment, shared his insights on the legal and systemic changes needed to enhance opportunities for persons with disabilities. He emphasized the importance of enforcing existing disability laws and creating policies that support equitable access to employment and public life.
In his talk, Dr. Jagdish Singh critiqued the use of demeaning language such as “invalid” and called for a broader understanding of inclusivity. Drawing on thinkers like Adam Smith and Amartya Sen, he argued that true inclusion means enabling people to appear publicly with confidence and without fear. He drew parallels between the disability movement and feminism, advocating for a similar dismantling of private/public barriers to create an egalitarian society. Dr. Singh finished by quoting Ramdarash Mishra’s evocative poem Banaya Maine Yeh Ghar Dheere Dheere, capturing the slow and deliberate journey of empowerment.