The workshop on “documenting terminologies” saw participation from the medical fraternity, NGOs, Churches, and others including members from the vernacular literature boards. They discussed ways of changing and replacing existing terms in Naga dialects so as to transform their reference and meanings to disabilities.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Nagaland State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Deithono Nakhro on Thursday said that people with disabilities are often described in ways that are dis-empowering, discriminatory, degrading and offensive, while also adding that the state is home to about 1.5 percent of the total population of the state.
Addressing attendees at the workshop on “documenting terminologies” used by various Naga and non-Naga tribes or communities in the state regarding disabilities and its implications held at DBIDL, AIDA Campus, Dimapur, organized by SCPD and Prodigal’s Home, here at Dimapur where it was also discussed on the different perspectives including the churches.
It also saw participation from the medical fraternity, NGOs, Churches, and others including members from the vernacular literature boards. They discussed ways of changing and replacing existing terms in Naga dialects so as to transform their reference and meanings to disabilities.
Highlighting the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Act, 2016, Deithono recommended for starting a collaborative initiative between the PwDs and the Commission, NGOs and the respective literature boards towards translating or summarizing the provisions of the Act in the various local Naga and non-Naga languages, including Nagamese.
Stating that disability and inclusion demands understanding “disability” and its needs, Deithono said it is generally referred as one collective unit and is made up of a diverse people with a wide range of needs.
As per to the 2011 Census, Nakhro said Nagaland is also home to 29,631 PwDs including 16,148 males and 13483 females, however, she maintained that the figure is a conservative estimate with many other unaccounted for.
Also admitting that Nagaland has made quite a progress in the field over the past few years, she added that the state still has a long way to go while also adding that in the context of religious practices, churches have great influence in bridging the gaps not only in terms of making the church more accessible to PwDs but also in generating awareness and communication aspects.
Associate pastor, Dimapur Sangtam Baptist Church (DSBC), Dr Alem Sangtam, recommended for roping in the literature boards of all the tribes/communities to further spread awareness. As the president of Nagaland Theological Colleges Association (NTCA) and Chairperson, Sangtam Literature Board (SLB), Dr Alem said that collaborating with the church can go a long way in making language of disability “inclusive, friendly and inoffensive”.
Dr Imlitemsu Ozukum, in-charge of District Disability Rehabilitation Centre (DDRC), Dimapur, also spoke at the workshop with participation from church leaders, teachers, concerned citizens and persons with disabilities who also shared their views in the discussion hour.
The workshop was moderated by Kewimadanlule, missionary to the persons with disabilities, accompanied by Eliza A Chishi, as sign language interpreter, with president, Dimapur Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship (DBPF), Thenhamo Tsanglao, pronouncing the opening prayer, while Director, Prodigals’ Home, Dimapur, K Ela, gave welcomed the participants and others present.
Benediction was proposed by Alivino Sumi, missionary, Mission To The Blind, NE.