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Chennai: On World Differently Abled Day, social activists complain that social inclusion of the differently abled community continues to be a challenge.

Though government allocation for the differently abled section increases, not much development has happened at the ground level, rue activists. “Every year we see an increase in budget allocation but in reality, officials do not even implement the measures announced by the chief minister. Of late, the Differently Abled Welfare Board (DAWB) has become completely dormant and defunct,” said a former member of DAWB.

Activists point out that motorbike distribution, education and marriage aid and loan applications are some few schemes that are not fully implemented. “Getting a loan from a bank is extremely difficult, though the department has given us identity cards and other necessary papers.

Bank officials rarely help us; even getting Rs 5,000 is difficult from banks,” said S. Namburajan, state secretary, Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (TARATDAC).

The differently abled fraternity in the city said that it is time that policymakers started thinking about development from the differently abled point of view. “When it comes to Chennai corporation, there aren’t any notable special schemes for us. Even public toilets and pavements aren’t differently abled friendly.

Despite several seats being reserved for the differently abled, we hardly get to occupy these,” said P. Simma Chandran, social activist. When contacted, differently abled welfare department commissioner V.K. Jayakodi said, “Every year, we allocate more than Rs 100 crore and the full amount is spent by the department.”

Next: Athlete with 42 medals finds the going tough

Athlete with 42 medals finds the going tough

Chennai: Differently abled athletes say they are not being given importance and encouraged in comparison to regular athletes. Gopi Kannan is one of the athletes in the state inspiring others in his fraternity to pursue sports.

The athlete who has won more than 42 medals in the state and national level events for differently abled persons says there is not enough encouragement from the sports board. “Pursuing sports is becoming increasingly difficult for our community.

Though many differently abled people win in international events, support from the sports board only trickles,  at times there is no support,” says Gopi Kannan.

The Madurai-based athlete claimed he was appointed directly by the chief minister on 2003 but he is recently being denied his salary for the past three months.

“I was directly appointed by chief minister J.Jayalalithaa as a regular staff in the women’s development office and I have all necessary documents. But my senior officials have denied me salary for three months on vague grounds. I am finding it very difficult to manage family affairs and pursuing sports has become even more challenging,” he added.

Next: Kalpana Chawla awardee hit by financial constraints

Kalpana Chawla awardee hit by financial constraints

Chennai: Athlete J. Deepa is the first differently abled person to received state government’s Kalpana Chawla award in 2009 from the chief minister for excellence in the field of sports and education.

She says that financial woes continue to hamper sportspersons in the state. The awardee says that governments must help them to fulfill their dreams.

“At present, regular athletes are encouraged in the form of job opportunities, but despite representing the country on various international platforms, we are not given any job in government offices; at the same time several stadiums and playgrounds in the state are yet to become differently abled friendly,” she said.

She is a specialist in discuss, short put and javelin and has represented India in various athletic meets held in Belgium, Germany and Malaysia.

“I was able to mark fourth in the 2009 Asian level meet but I am confident of winning in upcoming matches. It will be great if government can give me more aid as often we are forced to look for sponsorship from private players,” she added.

Next: Ramps coming up at city malls

Ramps coming up at city malls

With several malls propping up in the city,  the  differently abled  in the city say they are happy that big malls have not left them in lurch. “The entrance and moving around the corridors of mega malls are  easy.

However moving into the cinema theatres is still a difficult task, for many theatres do not have separate ramp for us leading to the seats,” said S. Anitha, an engineer.

“A decade back, ramps were very hard to see and we often struggled to climb the stairs but now we have access to ramps quite easily,” said A. Anandan, a trader.