Most of the time, what humans perceive is limited to the visible—the rational body: the eyes, mouth, nose, and ears. These physical markers form the basis of societal judgments about an individual’s capabilities. However, this narrow focus often blinds society to a deeper truth: the immense potential and resilience of people with disabilities. While their abilities may not always align with conventional expectations, their contributions can be just as, if not more, valuable in unique and transformative ways.

The real irony lies in how the so-called “abled” are often disabled in their perspective. They fail to see beyond the physical and recognize the inherent worth and capabilities of people with disabilities. This is not merely a personal shortcoming but a societal failure, rooted in long-standing biases and structural inequalities. In many cases, people with disabilities are viewed through a lens of pity or as recipients of charity rather than as individuals who can actively contribute to and enrich their communities.

Globally, this issue is particularly striking. The country of Pakistan is home to numerous communities that are well-off in terms of wealth and social capital. These communities have the resources, networks, and influence to drive change, yet they often overlook the potential of people with disabilities. This neglect perpetuates a cycle of exclusion, where those with disabilities are marginalised not because they lack ability but because society lacks the vision to include them.

However, this also presents a significant opportunity. Imagine if these affluent communities leveraged their wealth and influence to champion inclusivity. They could:

1. Foster Inclusive Education: By funding accessible schools and scholarships for students with disabilities, they could open doors to education that is often denied due to physical or financial barriers.
2. Champion Employment Opportunities: Through targeted hiring practices and skill development programs, they could help integrate people with disabilities into the workforce, showcasing their productivity and creativity.
3. Promote Social Integration: Community leaders could use their platforms to challenge stereotypes, celebrate the achievements of people with disabilities, and promote a culture of acceptance.
4. Innovate in Accessibility: Investing in technology and infrastructure that prioritize accessibility could make public spaces, transportation, and digital platforms more inclusive.
5. Support Advocacy and Empowerment Initiatives: Collaborating with organizations like ours, these communities could amplify the voices of people with disabilities, ensuring their needs and rights are front and center in policy and development discussions.

Ultimately, the true disability lies in the inability to see beyond physical differences and to recognize the full spectrum of human potential. By shifting this perspective, society, particularly its more privileged segments, can unlock a wealth of untapped talent and drive meaningful progress towards a more inclusive future.

The I do not care fallacy

Most of us who live in the West, especially those of us who are emigrants, often find ourselves distanced—both physically and emotionally—from the realities of our home countries. Over time, many become engulfed in what can be called the “I do not care” fallacy. This mindset fosters a sense of detachment from the issues back home, driven by the belief that these problems are no longer relevant to our lives in the diaspora. It’s a fallacy because, whether we acknowledge it or not, our home countries remain integral to our identity, and their struggles often ripple out to affect us and future generations in subtle but profound ways.

Why Does This Detachment Happen?

1. Comfort of Stability: Many emigrants enjoy the relative stability, security, and opportunities that Western countries provide. This comfort can make the hardships and challenges of our home countries seem distant or irrelevant.
2. Focus on Immediate Surroundings: The pressure to adapt and succeed in a foreign environment often leads people to focus exclusively on their immediate lives—careers, families, and social circles—leaving little room to engage with issues from home.
3. Disillusionment with the System: Corruption, instability, or lack of progress in home countries can breed cynicism. People may feel that their contributions or concerns would make little difference.
4. Generational Shift: For second and third-generation emigrants, the connection to their ancestral homeland may be more cultural than practical, leading to a further dilution of concern for current affairs.

The Impact of the “I Do Not Care” Fallacy

This mindset, however, can be harmful in several ways:

1. Loss of Collective Responsibility: Diaspora communities often have the resources, knowledge, and influence to drive change back home. Their apathy means that these opportunities are missed, leaving critical gaps in areas like education, healthcare, and social development.
2. Erosion of Identity: Disconnection from one’s roots can lead to a gradual loss of cultural identity, which often weakens the bond between generations in diaspora families.
3. Missed Advocacy Opportunities: Living in the West provides access to platforms where voices can be amplified. Failing to use these platforms to advocate for issues in home countries diminishes the global awareness of those challenges.

Communities:

1. Missed Financial Support: Diaspora communities have significant financial potential, often contributing to remittances. However, a lack of targeted support for disability-focused initiatives means that crucial resources fail to reach those who need them most.
2. Limited Access to Global Networks: Many disabled individuals lose out on opportunities to benefit from global exposure, such as scholarships, training programs, or technological advancements, which diaspora members could facilitate.
3. Insufficient Advocacy: Advocacy for disability rights and inclusion in home countries is often weak. The diaspora, with its access to international platforms and policy circles, could amplify these voices but rarely does so.
4. Underdeveloped Infrastructure: A more engaged diaspora could help fund and develop infrastructure for accessibility, such as inclusive schools, workplaces, and public spaces. In its absence, disabled individuals are left navigating an environment that marginalizes them further.

Reconnecting for Impact

To bridge this gap, diaspora communities need to recognize their potential as catalysts for change. Here’s how they can make a meaningful difference:

1. Support Disability-Focused Initiatives: Collaborate with local organizations working to empower people with disabilities. Financial aid, skills training, and mentorship programs can transform lives.
2. Promote Inclusive Development: Advocate for policies and programs in home countries that prioritize accessibility and inclusion. Use influence to push for systemic changes.
3. Create Opportunities: Facilitate connections between disabled individuals and global opportunities. Scholarships, remote work, and exchange programs could help them gain the skills and confidence needed to thrive.
4. Leverage Technology: Diaspora members in tech industries can introduce affordable assistive technologies and digital tools to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities back home.
5. Foster Awareness: Use platforms in the West to highlight the struggles and successes of disabled individuals in home countries, shifting narratives and challenging societal biases.

By breaking free from the “I do not care” fallacy, the diaspora can transform from passive observers to active contributors. In doing so, they can open doors of opportunity for those who need it most, ensuring that people with disabilities are not left behind in the journey toward progress and inclusivity.

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Gilgit-Baltistan Goodwill Movement and Northern Areas Transport Corporation Forge Partnership to Support People with Disabilities

Location: NATCO Head Office, Gilgit

In a significant move to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities (PWDs) in Gilgit-Baltistan, the Gilgit-Baltistan Goodwill Movement (GBGM) and Northern Areas Transport Corporation (NATCO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This partnership will focus on providing relief equipment to PWDs across Gilgit-Baltistan, with deliveries to be facilitated by Daraz.

The agreement was formally signed at an event held in Gilgit by Farhan Baig, President of GBGM, Mahesh Sarwar, Project Manager of GBGM, and Rashid Feroz, General Manager of Cargo at NATCO.

Key Aspects of the Agreement:

• NATCO will provide delivery services across various regions in Gilgit-Baltistan.
• The agreement spans three years, ensuring a sustained commitment to initiatives supporting PWDs and other disadvantaged groups.
• GBGM will identify and prioritize the specific needs of PWDs, coordinating with NATCO to ensure safe, reliable, and timely delivery of assistance.

The partnership underscores a shared mission to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with disabilities in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Farhan Baig and Mehwish Sarwar highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating, “This partnership marks a pivotal step toward improving the lives of PWDs in remote areas. NATCO’s support will be instrumental in making essential aid accessible across the region.”

Rashid Feroz, General Manager of Cargo at NATCO, emphasized the corporation’s commitment to welfare, adding, “GBGM has shown a deep commitment to the well-being of people with disabilities in Gilgit-Baltistan, and we are proud to support their efforts through our welfare initiatives.”

Courtesy: Gilgit Media Network

General Overview

Disabled people are often used as political footballs, a term that refers to how politicians and parties use them to score points or advance their own agendas without genuinely addressing the issues that affect the disabled community.

This can manifest in several ways

1. Policy Promises: Politicians frequently make grand promises about improving accessibility, funding for disability services, and inclusive education during election campaigns. However, once elected, these promises are often neglected or implemented inadequately, leaving disabled people with little real change in their day-to-day lives
2. Budget Cuts and Reallocation: Disability programs and services are frequently the first targets for budget cuts during economic downturns or government restructuring. This can severely impact the quality of life for disabled individuals who rely on these services for their independence and well-being.
3. Legislative Symbolism: There is a tendency to pass symbolic legislation that garners positive media attention but lacks the enforcement mechanisms or funding necessary to make a tangible difference. Such legislation gives the appearance of progress without delivering substantive benefits to the disabled community.
4. Political Rhetoric: Politicians sometimes use the plight of disabled people to criticize opponents or gain moral high ground. This rhetoric often highlights the challenges faced by disabled individuals without committing to actionable solutions or engaging with the community to understand their needs.
5. Tokenism: Disabled individuals are sometimes used as tokens in political campaigns or events to show inclusivity and diversity. However, this is often superficial, with little effort made to include disabled voices in decision-making processes or policy development.
6. Polarization and Stigma: Disability issues can become polarizing topics, with political parties framing their opponents as either neglectful or overly generous with welfare. This can perpetuate stigma and misunderstanding about the disabled community, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and social barriers.

The exploitation of disabled people as political footballs not only undermines the dignity and rights of individuals with disabilities but also stalls genuine progress towards a more inclusive and equitable society. It is crucial for politicians and policymakers to engage meaningfully with the disabled community, listen to their voices, and commit to actions that deliver real and lasting improvements to their lives.

Individual Overview

Disabled people can experience bullying in various forms, often reflecting societal attitudes and lack of understanding about disabilities which empowers political power. Here are several ways disabled people might feel bullied in society

1. Verbal Abuse

• Insults and Name-Calling: Using derogatory terms or slurs aimed at their disability.
• Mockery: Imitating physical movements, speech patterns, or other characteristics of their disability in a mocking manner.
• Threats: Making threatening statements that target their disability.

2. Physical Bullying

• Assault: Physical attacks or threats of violence directed at them.
• Interference with Mobility Aids: Tampering with, hiding, or damaging wheelchairs, crutches, hearing aids, or other assistive devices.
• Unwanted Touching: Physically handling or moving a disabled person without their consent.

3. Social Bullying

• Exclusion: Deliberately excluding them from social activities, groups, or conversations.
• Gossip and Rumors: Spreading false or malicious stories about their disability or capabilities.
• Isolation: Encouraging others to ostracize or avoid them.

4. Cyberbullying

• Online Harassment: Sending abusive messages or threats via social media, email, or other online platforms.
• Defamatory Content: Posting harmful or false information about them online.
• Exclusion from Online Communities: Deliberately excluding them from online groups or forums.

5. Microaggressions

• Patronizing Attitudes: Speaking to them in a condescending tone, assuming they are less capable.
• Invasive Questions: Asking overly personal or intrusive questions about their disability.
• Ignoring Autonomy: Making decisions for them without consultation, assuming they are incapable of making their own choices.

6. Institutional Bullying

• Discrimination: Facing discrimination in workplaces, educational institutions, or public services due to their disability.
• Lack of Accommodations: Being denied reasonable adjustments or accommodations that they are legally entitled to.
• Inaccessibility: Physical or procedural barriers that prevent them from participating fully in society.

7. Emotional and Psychological Bullying

• Gaslighting: Convincing them that their experiences or feelings about their disability are invalid or exaggerated.
• Manipulation: Using their disability to manipulate or control them.
• Devaluation: Treating them as less valuable or capable because of their disability.

8. Financial Bullying

• Exploitation: Taking advantage of them financially, such as pressuring them to give money or manipulating them to sign financial documents.

All of the above takes place in Pakistan and elsewhere. But what are we doing about it? Nothing!

For first time donors who want to contribute to our work, they can donate via the ICare Foundation. The Foundation is is Pakistan’s first donor-advised fund. Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are a philanthropic giving vehicle through which a private fund managed charitable donations on behalf of organizations, families or individuals while offering tax benefits to donors.

Gilgit Baltistan, situated in Northern Pakistan amidst stunning mountains and landscapes, grapples with challenges stemming from inadequate infrastructure and resources. The community faces hurdles related to accessibility, education, employment, healthcare, and social inclusion.

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