I think our focus should be on access with dignity rather than on concessions. Whether it be Airlines, Railways, Telecom, Buildings or it be Education, Banking and other services.
If we are looking at long term space for ourselves in the Social and national setup, then structures, systems, processes and thinking has to become inclusive and ensure that all facilities and programmes are accessible to all including us blind and visually impaired people. I think we are talking of Universal designs and thought processes. Hence I would entirely agree with Aruni, we need to demand for access rather than concession. This would also mean that opportunities created are more permanant. This would be a meaningful step towards creating a level playing field for all. Total access , to my way of thinking would lead to equal opportunities for all. Best regards, George ----- Original Message ----- From: "Aruni Arsh" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "'RAJAT'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2006 7:23 AM Subject: Re: [AI] Who should pay for concessions? I also feel that instead of demanding concessions from private players like the telecom companies, we must stress on our right to equal access. Mobile companies in the US are offering talks and the mobile speak as a part of the package to the visually impaired persons. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of RAJAT Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2006 2:58 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [AI] Who should pay for concessions? Hi all, Aren't we coming to somewhere near the concept of creamy layer among ourselves. Those who require and those who do not. But, one thing for sure we all want the disabled friendly/fully accessible environment. Can this happen with concessions? Its a common practice that if you want additional features./facilities you have to pay more for that. And if we are getting the facilities we demand then we should come forward and pay for that. We should also not forget that Income tax department, Govt. of India gives tax deduction under section 80u of Rs. 75,000 or 50,000 as the case may be and its also for those parents who have a disabled child. This is given to compensate for the hardship we face in our day to day life. Is this not a big relief? Also if I am not wrong persons under VH and OH category but not HH, get double the conveyance/transport allowance then other govt. employees get. I believe we should demand for more and more facilities/equal participation in education, transport, banking, building by laws, .... And concessions should be for those who really need them. Correct me if I am wrong. Regards Rajat agarwal New Delhi ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kiran Kaja" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2006 11:33 PM Subject: [AI] Who should pay for concessions? > Hi all, > > Having followed the thread on DGCA guidelines and the subsequent discussion > of concessions for the blind or escorts, I have been thinking about it for a > couple of days. > > I feel that in our country, the existence of public sector in businesses > like transport and education has benifitted persons with blindness. If all > the industry and utility services were run by private firms, I don't imagine > they would come forward with so many concessions and exemptions for us. > Providing concessions is much simpler for public sector or government. > However, this raises a big question of who should eventually pay for the > concessions? > > As citizens of the country, we are entitled to lead a life which closely > resembles a sighted or normal person who doesn't have a disability. This > obviously entails extra expenditure because of various reasons. To offset > this additional cost, concessions and exemptions are provided. I strongly > feel that since the government collects taxes from individuals as well as > businesses in the private sector, it should be the one paying for these > concessions. If the Railways were privatised, the cost of providing > concession to blind persons should be born by the government and not by the > private company which runs the railways. If a private company voluntarily > comes forward with concessions, it is a very good gesture on their part. But > if concessions are imposed by law, the cost of these concessions should be > reimbursed. > > For instance, when most of the other passengers of airlines were paying full > fair for their tickets, blind persons were only paying half. If we put the > social argument of concession aside for a while, the airline company was > loozing money by carrying blind passengers. The airline company in question > also pays the same tax irrespective of offering concessions. So, there is no > insentive at all for the airline company by carrying blind passengers. On > the contrary, the company gets less money. > > I think it is the responsibility of the government to provide or pay for the > concessions as they should look after the welfare of its citizens. Private > companies or public sector companies for that matter should never be forced > to bear the cost of concessions. > > What do you all think about this? I know this is never going to happen in > India. > > Regards, > Kiran. > > > To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the subject unsubscribe. > > To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at > http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in > To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
