Attitudes of the Sighted Towards Specially Abled Colleagues

When we try to create an inclusive workplace, CEOs and HR Leaders have one doubt on top of their minds - 

"How will the rest of our colleagues respond to the initiative? Will they welcome the change? Will they think of it as tokenism? Will they make the changes needed to create true inclusion?" 

To help all stakeholders make unbiased decisions, Esha conducted a nationwide research to answer the question: 

What, really, is the attitude of the sighted towards their specially-abled colleagues? 

To ensure zero bias, the research questionnaire was circulated only through friends and family. To further enable honesty, it was made possible to answer completely anonymously. 

The research was a year in the making - we started in May 2022 and completed only by July 2023. The report writing took another month. 

There are many things that we learnt as part of this research, but for the decision-makers, stakeholders, and everyone involved in creating a more inclusive world, we have just two insights to share: 

1. Every interaction matters. Even people who have had a very brief encounter with a blind person earlier are more likely to believe that the blind can be financially independent. Not just that, they are also more likely to support the changes (longer transaction times, physical changes) if it means having specially abled colleagues. So, initiatives like Blind School visits, public space accessibility et al, are not just important for the blind. They are also important for the sighted. 

2. We usually assume that most colleagues would be hesitant to make the changes required. In fact, when thinking of our colleagues' attitudes towards changes, we "Start with No." 

The number of people who said they would be very glad to make the changes required is 93%!! 5% were neutral and had a wait-and-watch approach. That means that just 2% of corporate salaried professionals have a negative attitude towards changes required to make an inclusive office! Let that sink in - Only 2%! 

Our advice to all stakeholders in general and corporate employers in particular is simply this - Start with an assumption of Yes! The people are willing. 

The entire report can be read on the Esha website here: 

https://eshabraille.org/research-report-attitude-of-the-sighted-towards-specially-abled-colleagues/

Esha's new logo and new website

This is a very big day for us at Esha. 

Today, we unveil the new logo and the new website of Esha. 

For the last 2-3 years, Esha has been trying to answer the question - What next? What now? 

The research project we did in 2019 was an eye opener. 

Today, I am glad to share the new logo of Esha: 

The new logo retains Braille as the main communication - the dots on top is Esha in Braille. 

Under that are the three keywords of Esha - Dignity, Empowerment, Enablement. 

I thought it was important to put these in the logo so that we are able to communicate upfront what we stand for. 

The black and white colour scheme to represent the world we stand for, has also been retained. 

The new website of Esha: 

www.eshabraille.org 

As we restart with renewed vigour, we are looking for volunteers, because another thing that remains unchanged is our commitment to being 100% volunteer driven. 

The Esha Summer Project is currently underway. All school students are invited to participate and volunteer from wherever they are - to create an inclusive world. 

Thank you! 

#Gratitude 

Braille Cards no longer part of Esha

You know that moment when you have invested years in nurturing something, and finally, it grows wings, and learns to fly?

That moment, I have now learnt, is a moment of deep personal satisfaction.

Chandrashekar and Venkatesh have incorporated a legal entity and are now fully capable of handing ALL braille cards related business. They have been running the business independently for many years now, and have literally hundreds of satisfied corporate clients.
Going forward, Esha will no longer be doing Braille cards under its banner. We will direct all enquiries to these bright young entrepreneurs, of course. :)

How to make it a more inclusive world: Guest Post by Tapas Bhardwaj

 

•            Please ensure that no one around you keep their belongings on the tactile paths which are made for the movement of persons with visual disabilities, it creates inaccessibility. You all can contribute in making a path free of obstruction so that an easy movement of a person with visual disability can be made sure.

 

•            Some people while cleaning their houses or galleries leave the water on the floors, which can be a hurdle to any person. The consequences can be worse if a person using a wheel chair approaches, then the wheel chair user can slide and fall down. It is advised that the water should be properly wiped off.

 

•            I have often observed, the garbage bins are kept on the staircase of the apartment so that the sweeper can come and pick it up. However, it should be given to the sweeper only when he comes. The garbage bin if left on the staircase, can be a reason of falling of a person with visual disability as he can bang into that bin and fall down.

 

 

•            At times, some people spit or scratch the dots of the Braille signage provided on the elevators thinking that it is some fancy design. The dots at times get displaced causing inaccessibility.

Advise anyone whom you see doing such a thing, to not to do so as it also gives a wrong image of that particular public place in the eyes of visitors also!

•            The Government has provided auditory signals in metros and is in a process to provide these signals in buses so that persons with visual disabilities can get to know about the station they have reached.

However, at times the people talk so loudly in public transport, that the people are unable to here the announcement which creates a problem in navigating the station. Try to talk in a low tone the next time you travel, it also helps in saving your energy.

•            Auditory signals have also been provided on the red lights for crossing of the roads for the persons with visual disabilities. The use of the horns often hides the sound of these signals thus creating inaccessibility. While driving your vehicle, try to use the horn to its minimum level.

•            People can also contribute in providing accessibility to the persons with disabilities by participating in short courses like learning the basic of the sign language so that they can communicate with the people who are hard of hearing.

•            People also need to come forward and design special programs in their community for the persons having intellectual disabilities.

•            Persons with disabilities should be made part of the resident welfare associations in colonies so that the problems and the challenges that they face in their day today lives can be resolved as these associations interact with the Governments as well. The contribution of both the people and the Government can only lead to a dream of Viksit Bharat come true and the rights of persons with disabilities act 2016 properly implemented. There should be a communication, cooperation and contribution by both the public and the Government for making an accessible India which can become a role model country for the persons with disabilities of the entire world.

 

About the Author:

Tapas Bhardwaj

Tapas Bhardwaj is a student of Amity Law School Delhi. He has been the Head Boy of Delhi Public School RK Puram. He has been the recipient of the NTSE scholarship provided by the Government of India. He has been the recipient of national levels awards provided to him by the Home Ministry Government of India, Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change Government of India and many others. Tapas feels that persons with disabilities requires platform to showcase their abilities. The ability if utilized properly can help any person to live his life with dignity respect and a sense of happiness. Tapas has authored several columns that have published in DailyO, Newzhook, ED Times, AB EDU news etc.

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Tapas Bhardwaj (BA LLB Honours)

Amity Law School Delhi

Contact Number :+919958313047