As ‘unlockdown’ starts, persons with disabilities face fresh challenges
By Social distancing has become the new normal in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. It is what most of us are trying to follow to keep ourselves safe from the virus. In turn, it has left people with disabilities feeling even more vulnerable now that they are unsure if others would want to assist them.
With Unlock 1.0 being announced, most caretakers or attendants for persons with disabilities have been able to return to work and help with their regular needs. For the disabled, however, the pandemic has posed another obstacle when it comes to stepping out of their homes. Disability activist Nipun Malhotra, who was born with arthrogryposis, a rare congenital contracture, told indianexpress.com, “I am also on the wheelchair and for many of us, there is this fear that if we go out on the roads, there will be nobody to assist.”
Vineet Saraivala, who is visually impaired, believes that for the blind, the lockdown is not yet over. “People like me do not drive personal vehicles so they are completely dependent on public transport or cab services, which is not a safe option at the moment, and has also been halted in many places. People with blindness are highly dependent on others to assist them, especially in a public place but that is also affected now because of social distancing,” he said.