Kohima: Diethono Nakhro, the first self-advocate for disabled people in Nagaland, is leading a movement to transform how society perceives disability. After two decades of activism, she argues that the region must shift away from treating disabled individuals as charity recipients and begin recognizing them as equal citizens with fundamental rights.
Nakhro, who served as the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, notes that negative societal attitudes remain the most significant barrier to progress. She points out that disability is frequently viewed through a lens of pity or shame, which often leads to low expectations and systemic exclusion from public life. During her tenure, she focused on improving institutional accountability, accessibility, and policy implementation, receiving recognition for her efforts, including the 2020 Kevichusa Citizenship Award.
The advocate emphasizes that while government policies exist, they are often undermined by a lack of political will and poor implementation. She highlights the tendency for authorities to treat accessibility as an afterthought, such as in the procurement of public buses where features for mobility-impaired passengers are frequently deemed unfeasible. She asserts that the issue is not the disability itself but the artificial barriers created by a lack of inclusive planning.
Addressing the limitations of current efforts, Nakhro explains that true accessibility extends far beyond basic construction. "True accessibility means creating environments where disabled people can participate independently, safely, and with dignity," she stated. This includes providing sign language interpretation, accessible digital formats, and inclusive education that allows disabled people to live with independence.
Looking toward the future, Nakhro advocates for greater representation of disabled voices in governance and community leadership. She believes that while progress is slow, the growing visibility of disabled advocates provides reason for optimism. For real change to take hold, she insists that disability must be integrated into all sectors of development, from infrastructure to healthcare, ensuring that policy design includes those with lived experience.
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