A disability is any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities (activity limitation) and interact with the world around them (participation restrictions).
International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3) is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992.The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.
This day has been marked to help everyone become more compassionate and understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities. People with disabilities can be and very often are contributing and valued members of society, and today is all about appreciating them.
Different types of disabilities
Exclusion of any type disconnects individuals from social relations and puts a limit on their full participation in the activities that are assigned by society according to norms and conventions.
Though there have been improvements in our country over the last few years, disabled people and their families confront isolation and exclusion and remain on the fringes of society. Multiple barriers hinder their amalgamation into the mainstream. From architectural and technological to financial, obstacles of all kinds restrict their integration.
An ‘embarrassment factor’ remains evident among the non-disabled when they became self-conscious and awkward in the presence of a disabled person, although one in ten of the population has a disability.
Their multidimensional social exclusion is linked not only to income and expenditure but also to activity status, educational attainment, housing, health, assistive technology, transportation, lack of access to the labour market and the social environment.
A wide range of public and private services remain out of their reach.
Unless there is self-reflection and self-criticism, inclusion cannot be brought in. An inclusive attitude and behaviour demand us to overthrow prejudices and raze down the barriers.
Inclusion is a belief. It is not a project or a programme but a philosophy. Inclusion means respect for you, for me and everyone. Inclusion sees us as a person; sees that we exist.
A socially inclusive environment is one where everyone is welcome and permitted to establish their identity and express their feelings. Social inclusion assures that one’s opinions and experiences are honored like anyone else’s.
With social inclusion, people:
• Feel associated,
• Are acknowledged, accepted and recognised for who they are within their communities,
• Feel worthy of their roles in the community,
• Actively participate in the community,
• Have the right to choose their activities based on their personal preferences,
• Have the right to choose their social relationships where they choose and share common interests,
• Have companions and don’t feel left out nor be treated as an inconvenience.
Continuous exposure to discrimination could lead to the internalisation of the prejudice – which may be manifested in shame, poor self-esteem, fear and stress, as well as poor mental and physical health.
This may also impede their decision-making abilities. If every person is accepted wholeheartedly, without a feeling of unfairness and injustice, they do not hesitate to take risks and responsibilities – leading to the development of self-confidence and self-esteem.
Being socially included means that a number of things are present in people’s lives. When people experience these conditions, they are more likely to be happier and healthier.
In fact, social inclusion is an important “determinant of health”. Without inclusion, people are more likely to experience poor mental health, loneliness, isolation, and poor self-esteem.
Social inclusion involves:
Non-discrimination
• Making products, communications, and the physical environment more usable by as many people as possible, i.e. Universal Design
• Modifying and retrofitting items, procedures, or systems that would make a person with a disability
• Bringing awareness and shattering the stigma that surrounds disability
The prerequisite for achieving social inclusion is the involvement of inputs from people with disabilities along with disability-focused and independent organizations and government agencies in the programme or structural design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
Non-disabled as well as disabled children would equally benefit from being in the same educational environment. The achievement of an inclusive education implies equal provision of the educational, the technical, and the personal for each student in academic and extracurricular activities.
An inclusive education is at the basis of an inclusive society. To make India better and positive for the largest minority, i.e. for millions of persons with disabilities, we ought to encourage mediation, dialogues and action about measures required to boost equal opportunities.
The challenge is to deliver for people with disabilities not just life, but a quality of life; and to identify and provide them with their citizenship rights in a real sense by offering opportunities for full social inclusion.
Inclusion can and does happen when people have positive attitudes as well as the willingness to make it happen.
All this will take time to materialize and we all should strive towards making this happen .
But there is another very important aspect to all this is the taking care of the disabled and making inheritance easier and fruitful for them .
As parents of special needs children one might not have the power to make life fair but you do have the power to make life joyful and to do so you need have your financial plan in place.
Parents of a child which special needs have to make financial plans for two generations they need to provide for their own needs and the child's current and future means. Planning is necessary for the period when they will not be there to provide guidance and support.
The cost of training of a child is high. Raising a special needs child requires and even more significant commitment. It isn't easy to plan for the current and future financial needs of your special needs child. Special needs children may need help from a Guardian who will help them to manage their affairs . Parents need to look for trusted people who will take care of the loved one when they are not there. Raising special needs children can be challenging but it is also rewarding. Its essential to ensure that they are enjoying a good and meaningful life. We need to seek support from friends and family members who care about them and their child.
Let's take a closer look at things to consider when making a financial plan for your special needs child alone.
Create a support system for your special needs children.
Kids with special needs may not be capable of taking financial decisions even when they become adults. Their parents need to make plans to ensure that they will get the care they need. The need to look for people who can manage the financial affairs of their kids without any selfish motive full stuff it is essential to create a support system which will take care of your special needs child. Look for friends and relatives who can provide the guidance and care your child needs. Involve people who have the capability, time and inclination to help from the beginning. Parents need to accept the type and extent of child disability and to see if the child will be capable of taking financial decisions in the future.
This assessment is because many special needs kids don't understand financial matters. They are not people of taking financial decision independently. If you think that your child will be able to take financial decision that will be there will be no need to appoint a guardian. Unfortunately children with mental disabilities need lifelong care. Special needs children have to make realistic financial plans.
One may have to hire care takers for kids who will need lifelong care .One may even have to work for more years, be more frugal or look for other sources of income. Build a corpus that is large enough to provide for the future needs of your loved one.
Family members who are willing to support your child can contribute to the purpose. It is best to start building an investment properly as soon as you discover your child's ability. The earlier you start the more money you can accumulate for long term . Budget and weigh monthly needs and also future needs after inflation. Determine the size of the Corpus that you will need to provide for child monthly expenses. Decide how much you need to invest now in building the same. You can also invest in real estate to get a regular rental income.
It might not be easy to get a health insurance policy for your special needs child. You can check to see if your employees health insurance policy will cover your child . Get adequate Health Insurance as well as critical illness cover for yourself to ensure so that any medical emergency will not the ruin the future plans. Get term insurance while you are young to qualify for lower premiums. Personal accident insurance is also necessary to protect your loved ones future. The sudden demise of a parent can ruin the child's future if there isn't enough money in the Corpus.
Last but most important, you need to make a will and trust. Appoint a guardian who will provide guidance and support if you pass on while your child is a minor. The trust will manage and protect the Assets of your child. Your Savings and gift received from family members and friends and should go to the trust. Make the trust just as soon as possible even if you don't have any money to put in it. Assign your life insurance to the trust. Take professional legal advice to make your will and set up a trust.
For more information and assistance on Will making and Succession Planning do visit us at http://www.dilsewill.com
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