After coming to Goa a little over three years ago, I was apalled at the lack of facilities for the disabled and special persons. As a director of Facilities for a very large school district in the USA I was very much involved in making schools and other facilities accessible to the handicapped. My own home in Goa is disabled friendly and accessible to the disabled.
In Goa I find that there is absolutely nothing done for those who are not as mobile as most people are. Roads have deep gutters by the side, that will challenge even the able-bodied. Sidewalks, where they exist have no access for wheelchairs. Government offices, commercial facilities etc. often are located on the 2nd or 3rd floors and are difficult to access even for the able bodied, leave aside the handicapped. I understand that there are laws in place, but no enforcement and no effort to educate people about the rights of the handicapped. During my working career I found handicapped people to be among the most productive of my workers. When will we awaken to this great resource within our ranks ? Vivian A. D'Souza
