To understand the challenges faced by persons with disabilities (PWDs) in our society, it is vital to step back and divorce ourselves from the environment able-bodied individuals are so accustomed to. Even though the exercise might seem clichéd in the wake of global events being held to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities that is commemorated globally on December 3, it is nonetheless vital and serves as a harsh reminder of how we continue to fail a segment of our very own society.

While disabilities are many and are defined in even more varying manners, this week we have tried to focus on physical disabilities owing to our limitation of being able to grasp a better understanding of what all the larger debate entails. Intellectual disability, an equally pressing and diverse subject, shall be touched upon at a later time. However, in our attempt to bring to our readers an understanding of the everyday challenges which persons with disabilities face, we have come to realise the need for the society to alter its attitude towards disability altogether.

The debate on disability needs to move towards solutions, whether they come in the form of attitudinal changes or policy frameworks or simply better and cheaper assistive devices and technologies. We hope this conversation continues so that persons with disabilities are fully integrated in our society and are provided equal access to opportunities.