“Can you not walk or you’ve been lazy?”,
“I see you walking with crutches sometimes, what’s the deal?”,
“You sure there isn’t some operation that can make you walk?”
I am tired of answering these unending (read somewhat stupid) questions. So let me bring you into the world of what Disability means and specifically, we will delve into the world of mobility impairment, that is the locomotive disability.
What is disability?
Disability definition as per 2016 Indian disability act- It defines a ‘person with disability’ as someone with long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairment which, in interaction with barriers, hinders his / her full and effective participation in society equally with others.
Now, I know that is a very broad definition of disability, and diving deeper into this definition as well as all the types of disability might need a separate post so we will park that for now. Let’s focus on Locomotive Disability for this post.
What is Locomotive Disability?
A ‘person with locomotive disability’ can be defined as someone with long-term impairment leading to issues in a person’s physical movements or mobility.
Following are the types of Locomotive disability
- Muscular Dystrophy – a genetic condition that leads to the weakening of muscles over time, affecting mobility.
- Osteoarthritis – a degenerative joint disease that can cause pain and stiffness, making movement difficult.
- Spinal Cord Injury – Injuries to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, affecting an individual’s ability to walk.
- Cerebral Palsy – a neurological disorder that can affect muscle coordination and body movement.
- Polio Virus – a virus that attacks the nervous system leading to mobility impairment.
I fall into the category of the Polio Virus. Despite completion of the required vaccines, as a child, I had polio. It resulted in “Post-polio residual paralysis of both of my lower limbs” for life. As per the article here, there has been a 99% decline in new cases from 350,000 in 1998 to 223 in 2012. As many as 20 million continue to live with the disabling consequences of the disease.
What causes Locomotive Disability?
- As mentioned above that Post-polio residual paralysis happens due to the polio virus.
- Locomotive disability also happens due to severe injury or accidents that lead to limb amputation.
- Even with age, mobility can be very challenging.
- Some cases of locomotive disability could be due to genetic factors as well.
How does it Impact?
Physical mobility is freedom. With the degree of disability or severity of disability, the support required for each person can be different. The severity of disability is calculated based on a detailed medical assessment by a govt official. For highly severe disabilities, life is tough when you have to be dependent on even the most basic step as brushing your teeth.
Commute is another factor which adds problems. In developed countries, there are provisions made for assisting the person with disabilities on public transport and other supportive policies from the government but that is not the case for all countries.
In poor countries as well as in developing countries, the state of affairs is really pathetic. These barriers cause a person to be pushed away from education and thereby a mainstream life. A lack of education means a person has very grim prospects of a bright future. Eventually, a disabled person is looked upon as a burden on the family. This only adds to the disabled person being a social outcast.
In India, as per the Government report, there are 3cr Indians impacted with disability and only 5% are graduates and above. So the impact on quality of life due to disability is very clear.
Even now, I get the jitters when I see my worst enemy staring at me, The stairs.
A person with a locomotive disability is always thinking about how to navigate the access barriers such as footpaths without a ramp to enter, how to access the top shelf in a shopping mall, or how to punch the numbers in the ATM kiosk or heck, even how to enter in ATM. This constant thinking makes you wonder if it’s even worth going out of your comfort of house.
Lack of physical accessibility and inclusion mindset is a big demon that haunts us in every corner of our social life. When you ask the bar owner to put up a ramp near the entrance steps, he usually asks the locomotive-disabled person to leave, then think of accommodating the requests.
The Role of Assistive Technologies
Assistive technology plays a critical role in improving the quality of life of a person with a locomotive disability. It helps in getting access to education for example – for a child whose legs are impacted by polio, a wheelchair is not just a means of mobility but means access to education, sports, and a happy childhood. Crutches help a bedridden person take that impossible first step. A person with an automated wheelchair can mean a way to freedom for a person with Muscular Dystrophy.
The question is, what kind of policy do we have in place for providing such instruments for a needy person? Unfortunately, India is far behind in setting these policies in place. India doesn’t even wave off import tax on some of the world-class equipment such as ultra lite wheelchairs.
Policies and Laws Surrounding Locomotor Disability
Well, with the help of Chat GPT, I scanned a few of the long legal documents about disability laws of India, and here is the excerpt –
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
This comprehensive legislation replaced the earlier Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act of 1995. It extends legal protection to a broader range of disabilities, including locomotor disabilities. The Act mandates equal opportunities, accessibility, and non-discrimination for persons with disabilities in various spheres of life.
National Trust Act, 1999
The National Trust Act primarily focuses on individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and multiple disabilities, which often include locomotor disabilities. It establishes the National Trust, which provides support and safeguards the interests of individuals with such disabilities.
Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992
This Act aims to regulate and standardize the training and education of professionals working in the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, including locomotor disabilities. It ensures that services are provided by qualified personnel.
Rights and Entitlements
Education
The Right to Education Act, of 2009, ensures that children with locomotor disabilities have equal access to quality education. It mandates that schools provide reasonable accommodations and support for these students.
Employment
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, mandates that not less than four percent of the total vacancies in government establishments be reserved for persons with disabilities. Private employers are also encouraged to employ persons with locomotor disabilities and provide reasonable accommodations.
Accessibility
The Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) was launched to make public infrastructure and transportation accessible to persons with disabilities. This includes creating accessible buildings, pathways, and transport facilities.
Challenges and Gaps
Implementation Issues
While India has made significant strides in enacting laws and policies, the effective implementation of these measures remains a challenge. Many individuals with locomotor disabilities continue to face obstacles in accessing education, employment, and public spaces due to inadequate enforcement.
Awareness and Stigma
Awareness about locomotor disabilities and the rights of persons with disabilities is lacking in many parts of India. Stigmatization and societal attitudes can further hinder the inclusion and well-being of individuals with locomotor disabilities
Conclusion: Summing Up the Journey Through Locomotor Disability
Locomotor disability refers to long-term impairment leading to issues in a person’s physical movements or mobility, caused by conditions like Muscular Dystrophy, Osteoarthritis, Spinal Cord Injury, Cerebral Palsy, and Polio. The impacts of locomotor disability are significant, affecting physical mobility, emotional well-being, and social inclusion. Assistive technologies play a critical role in improving the quality of life for those with locomotor disabilities. However, the implementation of policies and laws surrounding locomotor disability, such as the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, of 2016, and the National Trust Act, of 1999, remains a challenge, particularly in countries like India. Increased awareness and reduction of stigma are crucial for the inclusion and well-being of individuals with locomotor disabilities.
And if you can’t remember all that, just remember that next time you see a disabled person, they don’t need your sympathy but maybe a little empathy will do.