So far the disabled in Nepal were engaged in almost a lone battle. Their struggle for greater mainstream recognition was limited and remained confined most of the time to paper. But all that now is likely to change, thanks to the National Planning Commission which has prepared a draft giving wide-ranging privileges and rights to the disabled. When the 18-point document sees the light of the day, the disabled will have gained far greater opportunities than they had got anytime in the past. To begin with, the national coordination committee of the disabled will have 51 per cent disabled members so that they would be better able to address their concerns. It also explicitly envisages establishing a national disabled board, define disability, prepare a database of the lot and an information centre on the disabled, classify different types of disabilities, besides outlining the discriminatory aspects of the prevailing statutes, if any, and their amendment. Similarly, the draft calls for a five per cent reservation provision in various spheres of employment for the disabled, separate infrastructure to better accommodate them in offices, theatres, hospitals, schools, banks, and places of public importance. They would also be given scholarships on various subjects including journalism. Nepal Television, the draft urges, needs to provide news bulletins through the sign language. Public transport system too is being urged to set aside seats for the disabled and waive 50 per cent fare on all kinds of travels.

It is just being humane to be more considerate towards the problems of the disabled. What is otherwise a simple chore becomes an exhausting piece of work for them. Barring hospitals, there is no special infrastructure constructed in, say, banks, theatres, public parks or places of importance where the disabled too would frequently visit. Even schools are under-equipped in this aspect. It is a good thing that the Commission has also planned to meet their everyday challenges in a more simplified manner. The draft also envisages free education until high school. This will certainly go a long way in helping the disabled. Physical disability does not hamper thinking, because of which, they are absolutely capable of holding office jobs by being conveniently seated on a mobile chair. The Western world recognised the needs of the disabled as mentioned in the draft long ago and has thus virtually addressed almost all of their needs, including investment and research to help ease the way disabled people lead their lives. However small these adjustments might seem to those without any kind of physical or mental handicap, the gestures of the type mentioned above go a long way in making the lives of the disabled better.