Date:19/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/19/stories/2008111950720200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Driving home how they feel distressed

Special Correspondent

— Photo:R. Shivaji Rao

Expressing concern: Students of Vidya Sagar performing a play as part of an awareness programme on difficulties of commuters with neurological impairment, at T.Nagar bus terminus in Chennai on Monday.

CHENNAI: Students of Vidya Sagar, a voluntary organisation working with people with neurological impairment, on Monday staged a play at T.Nagar bus terminus to highlight the problems they face while using public transport.

About 20 children with autism, who take the public transport to their school in Kotturpuram, face an ordeal every day because their disability is not visible.

The play called to attention the need for better awareness about the requirements of people with disability.

When students Anjana, Tariq, Jayachandran, Suganthi, Rohit and Sridevi, some of them in wheelchair, presented a daily scene in a bus during rush hour, it was easy to imagine their distress.

The children showcased the attitude of the harried bus driver and conductor, the impatient and the callous passenger. “Bus conductors do not understand that an autistic child is disabled. They refuse to accept the disability pass,” said S. Jayalakshmi, one of the playwrights.

“The play is not targeted at MTC buses. We are only seeking passenger cooperation.” “A person with disability has a right to seek a seat in the bus. Children especially become restless and co-passengers sometimes make insensitive remarks. Not all of them can afford to go by car or autorickshaw,” said one of the school authorities.

“Some commuters are insensitive and even ask why such a person should travel or why they have a disability. Such questions should not be asked. It could hurt their feelings.”

A middle-aged person who watched the entire play remarked: “Such incidents are frequent with elderly passengers. Young men never give up their seat for anyone. Such plays will create some awareness.” Vidya Sagar proposes to conduct similar awareness programmes this week in other public places.