IAS trainee Puja Khedkar ke dwara uthayi gayi vivaad ne Civil Services mein People with Disabilities (PwDs) ke reservation ke baare mein sawaal uthaye hain. Yeh mudda uch star ke policymakers ke discussions mein aaya, jo na sirf reservations par charcha kar rahe the, balki PwDs ki in positions par serve karne ki capability par bhi sawaal utha rahe the. Is debate ne affirmative action, representation, diversity, inclusion, disability models aur legislation ki awareness aur in issues par authorities ko sensitize karne ki zarurat par bhi roshni daali hai.

Constitution Article 16 ke madhyam se State ke adhik kisi bhi office mein employment ke sabhi kshetron mein equality of opportunity ki guarantee deta hai. Rights of Persons with Disability Act, 2016 (RPwD) ne is pravadhaan ke baad Section 21 ka model tayar kiya hai, jo yeh kehta hai ki har establishment ko equal opportunity policy notify karni chahiye. Equal opportunity policy mein reasonable accommodation aur barrier-free environment ki zarurat shaamil hai, jise RPwD ke Section 20 mein sahi tarah se mention kiya gaya hai. Equal opportunity policy ki zarurat diversity aur inclusion ke siddhanton se utpann hoti hai, jo PwDs ko work ke duniya mein include karne ki baat karti hai. Is scheme mein, PwDs ko mainstream mein integrate karna na sirf representation ke liye zaroori hai, balki unke lived experiences ke adhar par policy mein changes laane ke liye bhi.

Yeh maanana zaroori hai ki disability ko PwDs ke multiple intersections ke madhyam se samjha jaana chahiye. Jabki disability kai logon ke liye ek central aspect hai, PwDs aksar apni identities ke karan additional marginalization face karte hain, jaise ki mahilayein, dalit, economic weak, etc. Isliye, reservation policies zaroori hain PwDs dwara face ki jaane wali challenges ko highlight karne ke liye aur yeh ensure karne ke liye ki unhe society ke anya sadasyon ke saath ek level playing field mile. Aisa karke, reservation policies na sirf inclusivity ko promote karti hain, balki broader framework mein PwDs ki diverse needs aur contributions ko bhi recognize karti hain.

Jabki PwDs apne daily life mein physical, institutional, aur attitudinal obstacles ko overcome karte hain, policymakers ko unke workforce mein integration ki facility ke tareeke talashne chahiye. Policy-making circles se aane wale exclusionary remarks society ke biases ko reflect karte hain aur unke perpetuation mein contribute karte hain. Officers aur ministers ka training aur sensitisation na sirf legal framework ko samajhne ke liye balki disability mein diversities ko foster karne ke liye bhi crucial ho jata hai. Ek earlier article mein, maine argue kiya tha ki yeh enough recognize nahi kiya gaya hai ki disability mein bhi diversity hoti hai. Yeh indisputable hai ki disability ke daayre mein physical, mental, chronic aur invisible disabilities shaamil hain, jinke apne strengths aur uniqueness hain. Isliye, disability ko 'one size fits all' approach mein fit karna na sirf detrimental hai balki disability rights ke advancement ki discourse mein deeply disturbing hai. Supreme Court ne baar-baar differences ke acknowledgment aur PwDs ko diversity ke part ke roop mein acceptance ko support kiya hai, isliye unki dignity aur empowerment ko advocate kiya hai.

Civil Services mein PwDs ke liye reservations par debate ne general public aur senior officers ko disability ko ek narrow medical perspective se dekhne par focus kar diya. Disability par yeh myopic view kisi vyakti ki physical impairments ko societal barriers ke upar priority deta hai. Jabki disability par yeh perspective saalon se prevail kiya gaya hai, yeh mainly PwDs ko aur alag karne aur welfare laws ko promote karne ke liye serve karta hai jo PwDs ko charity ke recipients ke roop mein treat karte hain, rather than equal participants in society. Is viewpoint mein shift karna crucial hai progressive policies aur laws banane ke liye jo PwDs dwara face ki jaane wali issues ko address kare. Ek human rights approach, ek social perspective ke saath jo PwDs ki dignity, diversity, aur individuality ko honour karta hai aur ek barrier-free society ko promote karta hai, disability rights par discussions ko develop karne ke liye essential hai.

Baki sabki tarah, PwDs bhi multifaceted lives jeete hain, aur unke personal experiences legal aur regulatory frameworks mein reforms ko inform kar sakte hain. Public life mein unki engagement aur active participation ko facilitate karna in efforts ko advance karne ke liye crucial hai. Is context mein, presumptions aur conclusions banana, particularly un individuals se jo positive change ko drive karne ki potential rakhte hain, country mein disability community ke laakho logon ke lives aur aspirations ko significantly disrupt kar sakta hai. Ensuing dialogue PwDs ko afflict karne wale issues se lekar pure community ko kuch vyaktiyon ke acts ke liye penalise karne tak shift ho gaya hai. Officers ko current laws aur policy framework ke baare mein educate aur sensitize karne ki pressing need hai. Isse unhe empathy profess karne aur PwDs ke liye diversity aur inclusion ko actively promote karne mein enable kiya jayega.