IDPD: Time to Prioritize Inclusive Education and Healthcare for J&K’s Special Children

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Zaheer Jan

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), celebrated annually on December 3rd, serves as a Global reminder of the rights and dignity of people with disabilities. This day emphasizes the importance of fostering inclusive communities that provide equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of physical or mental challenges. People with disabilities deserve the same opportunities as anyone else, and the need for better accessibility, support systems, and inclusive policies continues to grow worldwide.

In Jammu and Kashmir, parents of children with special needs are using the International Day of Persons with Disabilities to press for urgent reforms in inclusive education and healthcare systems. They are urging government authorities to prioritize the inclusion of these children in education, vocational training, and healthcare early intervention services. This call is part of a broader effort to advocate for better resources, policies, and support for children with various disabilities, ensuring they are not left behind in society.

In Jammu as well as Kashmir, parents of thousands of children with special needs are struggling to access early intervention services, vocational training and inclusive education, particularly in rural areas. NGOs running special schools and Rehabilitation child development centers lack the necessary trained staff and infrastructure to meet the needs of children with special needs (CWSN). As a result, many parents feel trapped in their search for inclusive education in mainstream private schools. Nearly 99% of parents prefer not to send their children to NGO run special schools due to social stigma. According to these parents, most NGOs working for disability rights focus primarily on raising funds for special needs but fail to provide the proper facilities and support required.

According to the 2011 Census, minimum 3, 61,153 people in Jammu and Kashmir were living with various disabilities. Since then, no new census has been conducted, but research and surveys by various NGOs and Government agencies suggest that the number of individuals with disabilities, particularly those with Autism, learning disabilities, visual impairment, intellectual disabilities, and mental illnesses, has increased to approximately 6, 63,823. Of these, 383,032 are males and 280,791 are females, as per different research studies conducted by research scholars and NGOs working for person with disabilities.

In Jammu and Kashmir, around 64,000 children with various types of disabilities have been enrolled in the government’s education program, SAMAGRA, across all districts of the region. The SAMAGRA initiative, implemented by the Government Education Department, aims to promote inclusive education and has set up 4 to 5 resource rooms for children with special needs (CWSN) in each district. The Jammu and Kashmir government’s Education Department has appointed 160 special educators and Resource persons for various schools in each district. However, various parents reported these resource rooms are often not fully equipped with necessary materials or proper accessibility, and some are not functioning effectively. Additionally, with only a few resource rooms in each district, it is difficult for children with special needs in rural areas to access them, especially due to the challenges of traveling long distances. All private schools, especially renowned ones in the valley, do not admit children with special needs into mainstream education; they are violating the RPWD Act 2016. Despite the Director School education department 2023 circular stating that no school can deny admission, but still these private schools continue to refuse admission to children with special needs.

Some parents have become so disillusioned with the system and they have left Kashmir in search of better treatment and inclusive education for their children. They report that many Rehabilitation Child Development centers and NGOs in the region are not providing adequate care, with some centers more focused on after money than on properly addressing their children’s needs. Beyond inclusive education, healthcare and early intervention services for children with special needs, including those with Autism, ADHD, and Learning Disabilities, are critical issues. Parents and caregivers of children with special needs in Jammu and Kashmir often struggle with inadequate healthcare facilities, a shortage of specialized rehabilitation professionals, and a lack of assistive technologies for those with mobility or sensory impairments.

In a few districts in J&K have government-run Early Intervention Centers, but many parents inform me that they didn’t receive regular, proper therapies. Additionally, in most rural areas, parents cannot access early intervention services at district hospitals. Due to limited resources in these hospitals, many children miss the necessary interventions at the right time. Parents urge the government to increase the number of specialized Early Intervention Centers and healthcare professionals in every district to ensure that all children with special needs receive timely and appropriate interventions. They also call for hospitals with specialized Rehabilitation departments, accessible healthcare, and financial assistance to afford treatments for needy families. This is essential for the overall well-being and development of children with special needs. Many parents are also experiencing depression and financial strain because it is incredibly difficult for them to travel long distances from one district to another for early intervention treatments.

When it comes to Accessibility, authorities have failed to ensure smooth access for persons with disabilities. It is a bitter truth that most government offices and universities are not accessible, lacking basic facilities like ramps for individuals with disabilities. In 2019, the Indian government mandated that all websites must be accessible to ensure that people with visual impairments or low vision can easily access them. In a significant move, the Supreme Court of India recently directed the Central government to implement mandatory accessibility standards to improve access to public spaces, buses and government offices.

The voices raised by parents and other persons with disabilities in J&K and across the India reflect a broader, global call for governments and societies to create inclusive and supportive environments for people with disabilities. Policymakers must prioritize the development of accessible educational institutions, healthcare systems, and employment opportunities. Furthermore, governments must enforce laws that protect the rights of individuals with disabilities, ensuring they are treated with respect and provided with the resources necessary for them to thrive.

On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, NGOs working in the disability sector, Rehabilitation child development centers, and special schools celebrate the occasion in various auditoriums. They design the stage with special needs children for different programs. Some organizations and rehab centers also organize free medical camps. All of this helps these NGOs gain visibility and attract more donors and fundraising agencies, enabling them to receive more funds and support. “Ultimately, we should replace the question “What are we celebrating this December 3?” with “What meaningful steps have we taken since last December 3 to make inclusion a reality?” Genuine celebration will happen when inclusion becomes a daily practice, not just an annual reminder.

Zaheer Jan is a Sr. Pediatric Rehab Therapist & Social Worker (MSW)