The physically challenged persons are one of the excluded sections of the society and also they face number of problems in their daily life. The result of a present study indicated that the officials who are implementing the welfare measures know only few of the familiar welfare programmes of the physically challenged persons.

Problems Faced By Disabled People

Disabled people are the people with physical or mental incapacities. Common physical disabilities include blindness, deafness and paralysis, while common mental disabilities include autism and the effects of Down’s syndrome. Disabilities generally vary in severity .There are four types of physically challenged, they are physically handicapped, Blind, Deaf, and Dump. The term disabled suggests a state of helplessness; something which falls short of the norm or standard viz., ’physical fitness’. Disability refers to any limitation experienced by the impaired individual in comparison with the activities of the unimpaired individual of similar age and sex.

Common Problems Of The Physically Challenged The existing transportation and infrastructural facilities available to disabled are hardly adequate.  Public transport related problem comprises the problems related t design of the vehicles ( high and incompatible steps of vehicles from the platform level)  Road constraints involve encroachment of bus stops by vendors, temporary structures and parked vehicles stopping of buses fat from actual bus bays. Thus causing great inconvenience to them.  Feeling of insecurity by the disabled while traveling in private buses. The disabled person is largely dependent on a family because they get economically and emotional support from family. The disabled person also gets emotional support from friends and relatives and also gets encouragement.

Disabled people sometimes have difficulty doing things and other people may take for granted, such as travelling on public transport, climbing stairs or even using some house hold appliances. However, the greatest challenge that disabled people have had to face has been society’s misperception that they are the “breed apart”. Historically they have been pitied, ignored, vilified-even hidden away in institutions. Until the second half the 20th century, it was unfortunate today that the disabled people have some abilities, needs and interests as the rest of the populations. Nevertheless, discriminations continued to exist in certain important areas. Some employers were reluctant to take on or promote disables people; some landlords refused to give the land on rent to them; and courts sometimes deprived them of basic rights, including custody of their children. In recent decades, this situation has undergone some positive changes through adjustments in legislation and public attitudes. Also people with disabilities have lobbied for their rights as full citizens and productive individuals.

Disabled people sometimes have difficulty doing things and other people may take for granted, such as travelling on public transport, climbing stairs or even using some house hold appliances. However, the greatest challenge that disabled people have had to face has been society’s misperception that they are the “breed apart”. Historically they have been pitied, ignored, vilified-even hidden away in institutions. Until the second half the 20th century, it was unfortunate today that the disabled people have some abilities, needs and interests as the rest of the populations. Nevertheless, discriminations continued to exist in certain important areas. Some employers were reluctant to take on or promote disables people; some landlords refused to give the land on rent to them; and courts sometimes deprived them of basic rights, including custody of their children. In recent decades, this situation has undergone some positive changes through adjustments in legislation and public attitudes. Also people with disabilities have lobbied for their rights as full citizens and productive individuals.

Let's see different sectors where disabled people face problems:

Schooling: Though many schools speak of inclusive education, the schools are not really geared to look after differently abled people. The schools generally coax parents to enroll their kids in some other schools thereby passing on their responsibilities.

·        Conveyance: The Indian public transport System is not disabled friendly. While a few seats are reserved inside the transport, getting into and getting down from the transport itself is a big hurdle.

·        Public Places: Public places are not user friendly for disabled. Even simple tasks, taken for granted by the rest, like fetching groceries, going to markets, shopping , are all herculean tasks for disabled. Lack of disabled friendly toilets in public places are a big hindrance for venturing out.

·        Sports: there are no sports facilities readily available for disabled people.

• Disabled  people who privately rent their homes are obliged to live in accommodation that is not adapted for their needs
• Education ratio is less in disabled people as compared to non disabled person.
• 40% believe that their choice of subjects or courses was restricted because of the attitude of teaching staff or because of inaccessible premises
• Employment rate for disabled adults of working age is less than the overall working age population
• Disabled people are twice as likely to live in relative poverty as non-disabled people
• An average number of disabled people miss their social events or family gatherings because of barriers related to their impairment
• An average number of disabled people felt they are unable to engage in hobbies or pastimes as often as they would like because of barriers linked to their impairment
• Half  of disabled people said that they have been unable to go on holiday as often as they would like because of barriers linked to their impairment
• Even if public transport is accessible (most still isn’t), disabled people are almost twice as likely as non-disabled people to say that they are fearful of travelling on it.

By going through this information we can understand that disabled people face a large number of problems in their daily lives which needs to be addressed & solved.

Mr "Puran Doshi" secretary of Congress(I) & Ex Corporator has worked alot towards the welfare of disabled people in Mumbai. He had proposed the construction of ramps for disabled people throughout the city. to reduce the difficulties faced by disabled people while travelling to different places within the city. He has utilized his corporators fund for building ramps at various places in South Mumbai. He has also proposed ramps on footpaths at Best Bhawan, the promenade at Gateway of India, Nariman Point, Mantralaya & Police Headquarters. His dedication & work towards the improvement of facilities for disabled person shows his sheer dedication in improving the structure of society.