We possess preconceived notions about the state of special people; they are alive and can sense all emotions and must be treated in a friendly manner. The rights for us, the normal people, should be the same for them, the “special people”. They should have the right to access mass media, up date their knowledge and explore the world to become self- responsible and independent.
Every entity has the right to encompass the garnered set of information by different mediums of technology. Be it television, movies, internet or the print medium, information is up for the grabs.
Every individual needs to absorb the latest news and discoveries every now and then. Among us, there are people who are less privileged and deprived of the blessings that are encompassed by the normal people. These people in our society are called “special people” who may possess disability of any kind such as physical, cognitive, mental, sensory and emotional. They do not score higher in achieving their goals as restricted by their physical or mental structure. This disability doesn’t take away from them the privilege to learn and explore the world, to understand the norms, cultures, politics and current issues.
Mass media therefore, is extensively important to provide the special people with a great set of knowledge about the world. Paramount importance should be garnered by us toward this issue just to widen the space of awareness among the common people regarding the provision of information and knowledge given to the special people. Special people have more responsibilities than the normal people; they have to fight through themselves and against the norms of the societies. Their disabilities have, unfortunately, become the hindrance in accomplishing their aims and objectives. The provision of knowledge by the mass media is like a ray of light into their gloomy lives. It would boost up their morale and spirit and encourage them to feel normal in this world.
The World has taken many measures to protect and enhance the rights of the disable people such as “Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” by the United Nations. In Costa Rica, the “Law of Equal Opportunities” prevailed for the access of all possible opportunities for the special people. The United Kingdom holds the law of ‘Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)” that prohibits the discrimination between the special and normal people. It’s a huge responsibility on us as well to halt this discrimination; therefore, the Mass Media must be there for all of us.
The special people are in dire need to benefit, learn and utilize their set of knowledge to live their lives happily, earn themselves livelihood and keep a well updated know how about the current issues of the world. As substantially, special people are not prevented mainly of their disabilities of any kind, but it’s the environment restrictions and hindrances such as blocked access to information, knowledge and learning which give them a back seat.
Our society up holds various differences and discriminations among the individuals. There is crude discrimination between caste, color, culture and religion. But there also exists less privilege group who is not this way by its personal choice. There exist series of advantages in promoting this cause as we would be preparing independent individuals who can develop their thoughts and can work harder to achieve their goals. Disabilities have, unfortunately, taken away from them the free soul spirit as much pressure is exerted onto them by the lack of privileges. By showing them the door of opportunities, these special people can avail themselves the best of opportunities.
The media can play a vital role in demolishing the old myths and beliefs about the special people, the general concepts which have been inherited over the extensive time span can be unlearned using media. The implicit and explicit attitudes regarding them need to be sorted out in a constructive manner. The problem is to recreate the image portrayed by the social norms in our society and to provide maximum benefit to the special people by pouring sets of information and knowledge about all the subjects in the world. This will build in them a sense of confidence to do something in their range.
The Media should also take the responsibility to portray a valuable image of them as most of the mediums have shown a special person as an evil soul, violent and self-destructive. In most of the programs broadcasted, the special people have no role to play as in our societies there exist several cases to be dealt with, but no coverage of their inner self is brought to the light. There is an image circulating that the disable people can’t perform everyday life task and business, they are to be kept inside a cage to keep the society safe.
Moreover, the use of terms such as “disable” or “handicap” should be avoided as we produce discrimination in our society. The special people lose their self-confidence by these environmental problems and fail to perform. Hence, we must show our concerns towards the provision of access by the mass media to the special persons so that they can make them self-sufficient, independent and responsible.
Similarly, the maximum use of technology of any kind will embed a lot of knowledge and confidence into their souls and will eliminate the discriminatory attitude. The aspect of negatively portraying the special persons across the world must be ended. Physically disability is nothing to be ashamed of but to be loved more. As they are the people, little unexpressive but more sensitive, we must change our attitudes towards them.
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