A group of individuals with disabilities shared their experiences of bullying and urged those without disabilities to be more accepting of differences.
They were part of an awareness programme at the Rashbehari Avenue- Chetla crossing on Thursday evening to prevent the abuse of persons with autism, intellectual and other disabilities.
“Making fun of a person with disability is not acceptable... It can be hurtful to us,” said a person with autism.
The individuals with disabilities shared how they have been bullied in school, college or on public transport just because they are different.
A girl with cerebral palsy was questioned by other passengers about why she took a public bus and not a cab. People with disabilities take time to board or get off a bus.
“Our special need is respect, kindness and empathy from society. People should respect our differences rather than keep us at bay because of our differences,” said Aditya Ganguly, a bachelor of fine arts student at Government College of Art and Craft. He has autism.
Recently, three teenagers were apprehended for allegedly harassing and assaulting a 22-year-old man with autism when he resisted their attempts to force him to dance in public.
Thursday’s programme was organised by Forum for Awareness and Advocacy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a joint initiative of Parivaar Bengal, Disability Activists Forum West Bengal and Autism Society West Bengal.
“There are two reasons for organising this — to make people in the mainstream understand that they have to respect our children with disabilities and second, if they harass or abuse them there is a law that can penalise them,” said Soumen Upadhyay, general secretary, Parivaar Bengal.
The gathering did garner attention from passersby.
“Even if one person changes his or her behaviour, that is a difference. We are hopeful that such repeated hammering would help achieve a difference,” said Kuhu Das, secretary, Disability Activists Forum, West Bengal.
The community has to be responsive to the needs of people with disabilities and it is time they understand that any form of abuse or harassment is punishable, she said.
Indrani Basu of Autism Society West Bengal said it was sad that the impact of bullying or harassment on the life of a person with disability had to be explained.
“Perhaps we have been talking with each other and not in public spaces. When we have a programme where our children perform or speak about their rights, it is attended by their parents or other organisations that work in the field,” said Basu.
While people with physical disability might still be understood because there is awareness, those with autism or intellectual disabilities are further victimised, said many who were part of the programme.
