Bengaluru: Sometimes, all it needs is a smile or a handshake to make them feel included in society. As part of the joy of giving week, volunteers spread out around key traffic junctions in Bengaluru are trying to tell people not to ignore the needs of the disabled.
Hearing-impaired T Venkatraman is just one among the million others who have felt the society's neglect. As people usually shy away from interacting with him, he handed out little thank-you notes to those who smiled at him during the campaign. His co-volunteers Shravanti and Anusha noted how many go past visually-imparied persons without giving them a second glance.
" It's not that we only want to spread awareness about disablity only but some other things as well for the disadvantaged," said Anusha Vasu.
Students, techies, marketing executives, volunteered to stand at key traffic junctions and held posters bearing the message 'eyes are useless if mind is blind' in an effort to urge the people to stop being insensitive.
"There are more than 2 crore people differently abled in India. More than anything else, they need our time" said Prarthana Prateek Kaul, Founder of Giftabled Foundation.
Daily needs of the disabled were also put up at 'wall-of-hope' bulletins near restaurants to tell people that their needs don't cost much. Volunteers also explained the reason behind their campaign to those who were interested in the same.
It is not money that the differently-abled want, they want to be treated equally so they have the confidence to face the world. Even the slightest bit of effort from everyone can contribute in bringing a huge difference to the society. A small act of respect may get you a generous 'thank you note' from not just one but many Venkats.
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