Differently-abled voice their grievances

BANGALORE: Around 200 differently-abled people, including adult and children, poured out their grievances at the disabled adalat held here on Saturday.Need for day-care centres for differently-abled children, disabled-friendly buildings and structures, pension problems, difficulty in getting disabled certificate and economic support were among the major grievances that were discussed in the adalat.Thirty-two-year-old Pydiramu Kottinti, a physically challenged engineer, working with a private company said, “I am married with one child. Today was my child’s birthday and we had been to a temple. I was not able to climb up the  staircase of the temple. This really made me feel inferior.”“The government should order the builders to make the buildings disabled friendly so that we can move around with the wheel chair on our own so that we can also become independent like any other normal person,” he added.Pouring out her problem, Chennama, mother of a 10-year-old differently-abledson Ramana, said, “My husband is a daily wage worker and to support the  family, I work as a domestic maid. Ramana cannot walk on his own, I cannot leave him at home alone, I have to carry him all the time. If there were any day- care centre for differently-abled children, it would be of great help for me. At least I can leave him till the time I go for work.”A few who had with their differently-abled children, related problems they werefacing in getting a disability certificate. “I have been running around from one doctor to another at KC General Hospital for about a month to get a disability certificate for my six-year-old daughter, Akila, who is partially deaf and physically challenged.Still I am not able to get it,” said Akila’s father, Manjunath. K V Rajanna, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities said, “We will soon be holding a meeting with BBMP officials concerned, District Health Officers and Disabled Welfare Board to discuss the issue.”