Ability Forum

[Shivani]

Persons with disbility are deined their right to pray only in India. How do you react to this I am most curious to know.

I find this shocking in a country like ours. Actually I am at a loss of words at this attitude.

Persons with disbility are deined their right to pray only in India. How do you react to this I am most curious to know.

I find this shocking in a country like ours. Actually I am at a loss of words at this attitude.

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[neha]

hi all,

The incident is really shocking, shameful and vexing at the same time. I can't understand that how can people be so inconsiderate,insensitive and discriminatory, and at the same time, claim to be evangelists of religions and God, the same God who sees everyone with the same eye!

Ironically,special treatment and privileges are given to the powerful,and intentionally or unintentionally,things are made more difficult for persons with disabilities! I feel that all this is because lack of sensitisation and awareness of people towards disability issues. Our society needs to be really educated about the problems faced by the disabled, so that instead of marginalising them, we may embrace them with open arms to ensure complete inclusion.

take care
Neha

hi all,

The incident is really shocking, shameful and vexing at the same time. I can't understand that how can people be so inconsiderate,insensitive and discriminatory, and at the same time, claim to be evangelists of religions and God, the same God who sees everyone with the same eye!

Ironically,special treatment and privileges are given to the powerful,and intentionally or unintentionally,things are made more difficult for persons with disabilities! I feel that all this is because lack of sensitisation and awareness of people towards disability issues. Our society needs to be really educated about the problems faced by the disabled, so that instead of marginalising them, we may embrace them with open arms to ensure complete inclusion.

take care
Neha

[daddu]

Hi All,

This is something I have faced with my daughter too. She is a quadriplegic therefore unable to walk leave alone stand. I had gone for a trip to Kanya kumari in the South. The wheelchair was not allowed inside the temple and I had to carry her all the way (thank god she was much lighter then)

I would believe that the society should make it easier for the disabled to access Pilgrim places. There must be access provided here and if they do not allow people to take their own wheelchairs then they must provide their own special wheelchairs to which I can transfer to go in.

I do hope they think about this

Daddu

Hi All,

This is something I have faced with my daughter too. She is a quadriplegic therefore unable to walk leave alone stand. I had gone for a trip to Kanya kumari in the South. The wheelchair was not allowed inside the temple and I had to carry her all the way (thank god she was much lighter then)

I would believe that the society should make it easier for the disabled to access Pilgrim places. There must be access provided here and if they do not allow people to take their own wheelchairs then they must provide their own special wheelchairs to which I can transfer to go in.

I do hope they think about this

Daddu

[quadhari82]

Dear Ms. Shivani,
            Do you really find this shocking in a country like ours. I personally would reject anyone who rejects me, but I do emphathise with Daddu who had already suffered so much on account of her daughters ailment & to add to it these religious institution add salt to her injury. If only there was some law, where we can sue these institutions, they will be forced to accept us. Only greed & fear works in this world. Only problem is this secular country does not interfere in religious affair as has been proved in sabarimala & guruvayur. We have to be heard as a whole & when it happens the rest will follow.
Harish

Dear Ms. Shivani,
            Do you really find this shocking in a country like ours. I personally would reject anyone who rejects me, but I do emphathise with Daddu who had already suffered so much on account of her daughters ailment & to add to it these religious institution add salt to her injury. If only there was some law, where we can sue these institutions, they will be forced to accept us. Only greed & fear works in this world. Only problem is this secular country does not interfere in religious affair as has been proved in sabarimala & guruvayur. We have to be heard as a whole & when it happens the rest will follow.
Harish

[Shivani]

Dear Harish

I agree with all you have said. I remember even making a cartoon where the pundit in the temple was sitting complacent thinking "Thank God! we do not need to worry about disability" (I am uploading it in the Humor gallery).

I personally never visit a temple because of this very reason. I remember going to Haridwar 3 or 4 years after my injury where a lady gave me 20 paise as alms thinking I was a bagger just because of the simple fact that I was on a wheelchair. It was a incident when I didn’t know whether to laugh at her or feel sorry for her for her ignorance or feel sorry for myself.

As far as the Law goes, well we do have the ‘Persons with Disability Act’ which in itself is so weak that it can hardly bring about any substantial change. There is really a long way we need to go in terms of getting a better Law and also uniting persons with disabilities for our voices to be heard collectively. But we got to keep trying !!
regards,

Shivani

Dear Harish

I agree with all you have said. I remember even making a cartoon where the pundit in the temple was sitting complacent thinking "Thank God! we do not need to worry about disability" (I am uploading it in the Humor gallery).

I personally never visit a temple because of this very reason. I remember going to Haridwar 3 or 4 years after my injury where a lady gave me 20 paise as alms thinking I was a bagger just because of the simple fact that I was on a wheelchair. It was a incident when I didn’t know whether to laugh at her or feel sorry for her for her ignorance or feel sorry for myself.

As far as the Law goes, well we do have the ‘Persons with Disability Act’ which in itself is so weak that it can hardly bring about any substantial change. There is really a long way we need to go in terms of getting a better Law and also uniting persons with disabilities for our voices to be heard collectively. But we got to keep trying !!
regards,

Shivani

[Shree]

I myself have been turned down from temples when I was walking with
callipers on the excuse that they don't let leather/shoes in the temple.
Later on when In started using the wheel chair,it was slightly better.
Some temples let you inside(they even provide wheel chairs if you
need one to go in for darshan)
But certain others do still do not let wheelchairs enter.
Most of the times I avoid temple visits
to avoid the discomfort of rejection I may have to face

I myself have been turned down from temples when I was walking with
callipers on the excuse that they don't let leather/shoes in the temple.
Later on when In started using the wheel chair,it was slightly better.
Some temples let you inside(they even provide wheel chairs if you
need one to go in for darshan)
But certain others do still do not let wheelchairs enter.
Most of the times I avoid temple visits
to avoid the discomfort of rejection I may have to face

[ghsayan]

I too have the same experience as Shree to enter in temple with my calipers on the excuse that they wouldn’t allow leather item in temple. I usually put off my calipers in home and go temple with my auxiliary crutches only to the temple. Using wheelchair is not a solution because most of the temple has narrow door, steps everywhere and that is impossible to me in wheelchair. Shivani’s Cartoon in the topic clearly describes our situations.

I too have the same experience as Shree to enter in temple with my calipers on the excuse that they wouldn’t allow leather item in temple. I usually put off my calipers in home and go temple with my auxiliary crutches only to the temple. Using wheelchair is not a solution because most of the temple has narrow door, steps everywhere and that is impossible to me in wheelchair. Shivani’s Cartoon in the topic clearly describes our situations.

[Unnimaxx]

Itss really shocking and shameful....

now I remember an incident, Air Sahara denied to travel one disabled alone...

its evverywhere and it will be like this in India??????

Itss really shocking and shameful....

now I remember an incident, Air Sahara denied to travel one disabled alone...

its evverywhere and it will be like this in India??????

[ghsayan]

But there is a great exception…India’s richest God Lord Venkadeswar is equally accessible for all. Physically handicapped has not to wait in the queue for long. This special darshan is arranged for the physically disabled and the aged through a separate gate at the Maha Dwaram,the main temple entrance. If necessary, such pilgrims can be accompanied by an attendant.
For details, please visit the website www.tirumala.org or contact
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
TTD Administrative Building
K.T. Road , Tirupati 517 501
Andhra Pradesh. India.
Phone/Fax
Phone: +91-877-2231777 (Tirupati)
Phone: +91-877-2277777 (Tirumala)
Fax: +91-877-2230358

But there is a great exception…India’s richest God Lord Venkadeswar is equally accessible for all. Physically handicapped has not to wait in the queue for long. This special darshan is arranged for the physically disabled and the aged through a separate gate at the Maha Dwaram,the main temple entrance. If necessary, such pilgrims can be accompanied by an attendant.
For details, please visit the website www.tirumala.org or contact
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
TTD Administrative Building
K.T. Road , Tirupati 517 501
Andhra Pradesh. India.
Phone/Fax
Phone: +91-877-2231777 (Tirupati)
Phone: +91-877-2277777 (Tirumala)
Fax: +91-877-2230358

[THOMASJACOB]

Dear All,

I just feel sorry for all of you who are not able to take part in religious activities and at the same time denied access to pray in temples.

But being a Christian, I dont have exactly a proper idea as why the disabled are denied access to pray in temples.

In churches, whether the place is accessible or not, all disabled are welcome to be inside the church, whether they keep their wheelchairs  in or out, or whethey they want to wear calipers or not, what ever is needed by them is allowed inside. I  regularly go to church on Sunday, and I have been to many across Mumbai, I have seen people with disabilities having full freedom to be inside the church.

Also another important fact, is that we have the Holy Communion during the service, where the parishoners have to move towards the Altar to have the communion from the priests. But if a person with disability is not in a position to go ahead because of his handicap, then the priests will come to him and help him take the Holy communion at the spot where he is present. Once when my church  had a Bishop(Indian Equivalent of Pope) he used to go out of the church where a lady just couldnt get inside because her legs wouldnt bend to give her the holy Communion.

In churches no one will deny you on the basis of your disability, this I think may be because of simple easons like Understanding, Co-operation and Awareness.
I think if we all together let the temple authorities understand our needs, and tell them that we too are the childeren of the same God they serve, then if they can understand that, then no one can stop you from praying. After all God knows each and everyone of our physical limiatations isnt it???

Make the authorities understand that "Helping hands are much more or equally important as praying lips"

There is no need to be frustrated but a little awareness and sensitization will surely go ahead in making places of worship accessible for people with disabilities.

Praying that each and everyone of you will not be denied an access to pray in the future.

Regards
Thomas

Dear All,

I just feel sorry for all of you who are not able to take part in religious activities and at the same time denied access to pray in temples.

But being a Christian, I dont have exactly a proper idea as why the disabled are denied access to pray in temples.

In churches, whether the place is accessible or not, all disabled are welcome to be inside the church, whether they keep their wheelchairs  in or out, or whethey they want to wear calipers or not, what ever is needed by them is allowed inside. I  regularly go to church on Sunday, and I have been to many across Mumbai, I have seen people with disabilities having full freedom to be inside the church.

Also another important fact, is that we have the Holy Communion during the service, where the parishoners have to move towards the Altar to have the communion from the priests. But if a person with disability is not in a position to go ahead because of his handicap, then the priests will come to him and help him take the Holy communion at the spot where he is present. Once when my church  had a Bishop(Indian Equivalent of Pope) he used to go out of the church where a lady just couldnt get inside because her legs wouldnt bend to give her the holy Communion.

In churches no one will deny you on the basis of your disability, this I think may be because of simple easons like Understanding, Co-operation and Awareness.
I think if we all together let the temple authorities understand our needs, and tell them that we too are the childeren of the same God they serve, then if they can understand that, then no one can stop you from praying. After all God knows each and everyone of our physical limiatations isnt it???

Make the authorities understand that "Helping hands are much more or equally important as praying lips"

There is no need to be frustrated but a little awareness and sensitization will surely go ahead in making places of worship accessible for people with disabilities.

Praying that each and everyone of you will not be denied an access to pray in the future.

Regards
Thomas

[THOMASJACOB]

This is a question specailly addressed to Mr K P Jayesh (Unni) - Could you please let me know the role of temples in Kerala when it comes to people with disabilities.

Thanks and Regards
Thomas

This is a question specailly addressed to Mr K P Jayesh (Unni) - Could you please let me know the role of temples in Kerala when it comes to people with disabilities.

Thanks and Regards
Thomas

[Unnimaxx]

Hi, in kerala there are many big temples but ther' is not much special arranngements for the disabled, but they will be treated with care almost everywhere.. well I dont like to go in temples, i am quiet happy staying outside, in my car itself.. ;-)

there I follow the words of my grand ma, she used to say, we need not go to the temple to see Gosd, or to pray...

Hi, in kerala there are many big temples but ther' is not much special arranngements for the disabled, but they will be treated with care almost everywhere.. well I dont like to go in temples, i am quiet happy staying outside, in my car itself.. ;-)

there I follow the words of my grand ma, she used to say, we need not go to the temple to see Gosd, or to pray...

[Vic]

Thomas,

The priest (or the Bishop you pointed out) seem to be exceptionally well sensitised and sensible individuals. Infact one of my friends is a Vicar in the the Church of England - & he has learnt sign language to be able to communicate with the hearing impaired elderly visitors
......but I will be very reluctant to generalise this statement for all priests of whatever religion or region.

_________________
Vikas

AccessAbility

Thomas,

The priest (or the Bishop you pointed out) seem to be exceptionally well sensitised and sensible individuals. Infact one of my friends is a Vicar in the the Church of England - & he has learnt sign language to be able to communicate with the hearing impaired elderly visitors
......but I will be very reluctant to generalise this statement for all priests of whatever religion or region.

_________________
Vikas

AccessAbility

[Shree]

[Ajaygoel]

hi all
i have visited many temples but all they denied to come into temples coz of my caliber as its is leather But all we can seen every normal person having a leather item with him/her in any way just as belts, purses, etc. In temples place are so norrow to take entry with wheelchair. some wheelchair seat and back is made of leathers then how it comes in temple. All temple staff  harrass us wheater it is pundit kulis management staff. Kulis charges very high after knowing our difficulties.  After all that a pilgrim think it will be better to not come.

hi all
i have visited many temples but all they denied to come into temples coz of my caliber as its is leather But all we can seen every normal person having a leather item with him/her in any way just as belts, purses, etc. In temples place are so norrow to take entry with wheelchair. some wheelchair seat and back is made of leathers then how it comes in temple. All temple staff  harrass us wheater it is pundit kulis management staff. Kulis charges very high after knowing our difficulties.  After all that a pilgrim think it will be better to not come.