Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Get-hooked
  • We need more than just food, clothing & shelter! – Guest column by Dhanya Ravi

We need more than just food, clothing & shelter! – Guest column by Dhanya Ravi

dhanya ravi
Get-hooked May 11, 2020
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Our guest columnist today is disability rights activist Dhanya Ravi. A motivational speaker, she is also co-founder of NGO Aasman Foundation that empowers people with disabilities.

What do you think are necessities of persons with disabilities?

If your answer is food, clothing and shelter, then you are wrong. In fact, you would have been correct if you answered this a few decades back. We have moved quite fast from those olden days.

In January 2020, the Supreme Court of India declared that the right to have access to the internet is the fundamental fight of every citizen. Earlier the United Nations had also observed that disconnecting people from the internet is a human rights violation.

Few opportunities to build social, emotional connections

It amuses me that in an age where we acknowledge the Internet as a basic necessity, we hardly acknowledge social connection and intimacy as a basic need. While this may not make much of a difference in most of our lives, it certainly will in the case of persons with disabilities. It is often forgotten that persons with disabilities have the same feelings, needs and desires as everyone else. In fact, according to the Principle of reasonable accommodation to ensure persons with disabilities enjoyment or exercise on an equal basis with others is human rights and fundamental freedom. Article 2 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities signed by 163 nations, demands all these aspects of life including inclusive education.

Let me clarify that when I am speaking about intimacy, I am not just speaking about physical intimacy here, but equally about the emotional and social intimacy. Who would not like to be seen, heard, acknowledged and appreciated by others? Who would not like having friends with whom they can share their heart out? Who would not like the warmth of a loving touch, hug, and a kiss?

Absence of connections can be lonely & dangerous

As most people with disabilities don’t get the opportunity to go to schools or workplaces, the opportunity to make these connections gets limited. Their friend circle often gets limited to their cousins and neighbours. This coupled with the lack of sexual and emotional literacy exposes them to the danger of getting sexually exploited.

The most important factor when it comes to expressing our love for others is the way we love ourselves. Our partners are just a mere reflection of our soul. Every human in this world has imperfections in the society’s eyes. However, the imperfections in one person’s eye may not necessarily be an imperfection in another person’s eyes. When we accept our self the way we are, we also accept our partner the way they are. Thus, we liberate from the societal expectations. Definition of love and the freedom that comes along with liberation is unmatched.

The feeling of love does not discriminate between any beings in this world. The way of expressing love may differ from one person to other. Some believe physical intimacy is the be-all and end-all of every relationship. However, every human has a unique way of expression. For some, just a mere touch sparks joy and happiness. For others, having a healthy conversation makes them feel complete. Such levels of feelings cannot be measured and neither be compared.

Intimacy a critical need

We all need intimacy. That is being able to touch, hold hands, talk, hug, kiss or sensuality. It is a natural kinship that helps to rewire the connections between the body, mind and enhance the relationship between both self and a partner if you have one. Mature and respectful intimacy is as valuable as it is and appropriately safe. This may help them feel more confident and less guilty about their needs. The needs of every human being are the same.

Just that the way of feeling or expression might differ. As a society, if we honour and accept them the way they are, the shortcomings are never a hindrance to living a happy life.

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Accessibility,Independent Living
    New batches of Online Group Yoga for persons with blindness/lo-vision

Contribue to Newz Hook |Disability news. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature disability stories or share disability news with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

Accessibility

New batches of Online Group Yoga for persons with blindness/lo-vision

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Education

Neuroscientist Joey Ramp is breaking down barriers for disabled STEM students with service dogs

Get-hooked

My journey with ‘Pehel’, My take by Dr Kinjal Chandra

Get-hooked

#Love Possible - How Nishi & Shishir's bond grew stronger after a major setback

Get-hooked

Quilling artisan & entrepreneur Gunavathy Chandrasekaran brings incredible patterns to life

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook | Disability News - media site focusing on Disability Stories and Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight disability news, offer inclusive solutions and create accessible collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who will share disability stories and news.
Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.