Disability and Intersectionality

As the world today, the December 3^rd, observes ‘World Disability Day’, a day to promote inclusivity, accessibility, and equality for people with disabilities, we in this part of world are as distant to its importance cum significance as the farthest galaxy.  Contrary to the other developing countries, here in Jammu and Kashmir, everything seems upside down so far as concerns of specially-abled (not calling it dis-abled) people are concerned. Generally, our people, concerned government or non-government agencies and policy makers do not feel the pain of the persons with any kind of physical limitations unless they face the pain themselves or have any such circumstances in their own lawns. It is obviously not a blame until you are unknown but it becomes a big blame and obligations to everybody once you listen and do not act or react to others sufferings. 

This day is a celebration of resilience, inclusion, and equality, yet the story of all specially-abled persons reveals the stark reality of systemic gaps encountered daily, especially in up-bringing, social stigma, education, opportunities, and employment.

Disability is not just a physical limitation; it is a constant negotiation with a world that often chooses to ignore the unique needs of persons with disabilities. I being a visually challenged person am a lifelong learner of many things. I embraced the opportunities from manual braille system to modern such as screen readers, text to speech gadgets etc however, the road has been fraught with obstacles that could have been avoided with better social, government and institutional support. Of course, on the rule books, there are guidelines, regulations, and Acts for different kind of disabilities set by the government agencies but unfortunately those remain in the hands of normal persons, who don’t feel its importance on ground and who don’t accept and understand them to implement when they matter the most.

With my in-depth research on the subject about inclusive education, there is wide difference between the reality and the government data and its claim towards persons with disabilities. Be it role and scope of government social welfare department, its different schemes, school and college education or inclusive education, employment opportunities or skill development, almost every vessel is empty in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. 

The Struggle for Inclusion in Education

The education system, which should be a beacon of hope, often becomes the first barrier. Accessibility remains a glaring issue, with many institutions failing to implement government-mandated guidelines under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. Simple provisions, like accessible textbooks, assistive technology, and trained staff, are either absent or inadequately provided.

Even more frustrating is the lack of knowledge among administrators and educators about disability-specific accommodations. Procedures for availing scholarships, special allowances, or exam-related accommodations are riddled with red tape and lack transparency

Competitive Exams: A Distant Dream

As someone aspiring to clear competitive exams for employment, the challenges multiply manifold. Study materials are rarely available in accessible formats, and support for preparing for such exams is nearly non-existent. Even exam centers often lack basic amenities like scribes or accessible seating arrangements, making the dream of equal opportunity seem unattainable.

Despite government guidelines mandating such provisions, many concerned departments fail to adhere to these rules. This neglect is especially disheartening when it comes from the education sector, which should be a leader in promoting inclusivity.

A Call for Change

On this World Disability Day, I urge policymakers, educators, and society at large to reflect on the systemic barriers that continue to marginalize persons with disabilities. Accessibility should not be treated as charity but as a fundamental right. Educational institutions must train their staff and administrators on disability rights and accommodations. Government guidelines should be strictly enforced, with penalties for non-compliance.

Let this World Disability Day be a reminder of our shared responsibility to create a world where every individual, regardless of their abilities, can thrive.

Intersectionality and Disability

Intersectionality, a concept coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, refers to the interconnected nature of social identities and how they intersect to produce unique experiences of discrimination and marginalization. For women with disabilities in Jammu and Kashmir, intersectionality plays out in multiple ways:

Gender and Disability: Women with disabilities face both sexism and ableism, which intersect to create a double burden of marginalization.

Ethnicity and Disability: The Kashmir conflict has created a complex ethnic landscape, with women with disabilities from marginalized communities facing additional barriers.

Poverty and Disability: Women with disabilities from low-income backgrounds face significant economic barriers.

Women with disabilities in Kashmir face numerous challenges, including limited access to education, employment barriers, healthcare disparities and social Isolation. To address the challenges faced by women with disabilities in the UT initiatives should focus on empowering women with disabilities and educational institutions, workplaces, healthcare facilities should be made accessible. There is an urgent need in the Policy and Legislative reforms i.e. the government should implement policies and laws that promote the rights of women with disabilities. Again community-based initiatives should focus on raising awareness about disability rights and organizations and institutions should provide training and capacity-building programs for women with disabilities. Three most important things are:

Research and Data Collection: Research initiatives should focus on collecting data on the experiences of women with disabilities in Kashmir.

Collaboration and Partnerships: Organizations, institutions, and government agencies should collaborate and form partnerships.

Empowerment through Technology: Initiatives should focus on promoting the use of assistive technologies.

As we commemorate World Disability Day, it is essential to recognize the intersectional experiences of women with disabilities in Jammu and Kashmir. By acknowledging the challenges they face and implementing inclusive policies and practices, we can work towards creating a more equitable society for all.

(Sanya Zehra is visually challenged scholar with BA-LLB from Kashmir University and LLM from RGNLU Patiala. )