Church should make disability support a part of its mission: Diethono Nakhro

DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 26: State Commissioner for People with Disabilities (PwDs), Diethono Nakhro today underscored the significant role the Church can play in advocating for the rights and assisting people with disabilities.

“The involvement of the Church is very crucial and the churches should make disability support a part of its mission and ministry”, she said.

Launching “Blessed Bonding”, an NGO for children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) here at Tourist Lodge, Dimapur, on Saturday, Diethono said the Church need to push for the disabled community to be fully included and to be given equal opportunities as equal citizens.

Nakhro said in the past the PwDs were left out from everything but now things are changing and slowly awareness has become much better. But we have a long way to go, she said.

On the State Commissioner’s office, she said it serves as a monitoring body and quasi-judicial court addressing cases of rights violations against people with disabilities ensuring that they are not discriminated against.

We push the Government to prioritize accessibility in education, skill development and employment, she informed.

As an office, we implement various programmes but real progress depends on public pressure from parents and stakeholders, as without their support, pushing the Government for change is challenging, she stated.

On “Blessed Bonding”, she appreciate the parents who have come together to start the organization to speak up and to be the voice of their children.

Speaking on the topic “Role of Churches in addressing the issue of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities”, resource person Rev. Temsu Jamir, Pastor of Baptish Church, Aoyimti, admitted that earlier the church was not sensitive to the needs of the children with disabilities and their parents but about two decades now, the Church has taken up this issue to sensitize and educate the congregation.

“However, the church is yet to fully execute her compassionate mission towards the parents and children with disabilities. The church in general is yet to wake up from her slumber and apathetic attitude”, he said. He, however, expressed optimism towards better environment where everyone is accepted and feels the love and care.

Speaking on the topic “Building inclusive communities”, Yangerinla C Sangtam, Proprietor of Milestones Centre for Child Development stated that disability inclusion is vital for overall social diversity and the first steps is to have a clear understanding of what disability inclusion truly means. She said inclusion ensures that people with disabilities have their voices and experiences heard by people who may not see the same barriers or opportunities that exist in a community.

She also highlighted the challenges faced by people with disabilities and the importance of disability inclusion for creating an equitable society.

Chairman of Nagaland State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NSCPCR), Alun Hangsing also spoke on the occasion.

(Page News Service)