A PRIMARY school teacher says parents’ occupations should not determine whether children with disabilities qualify for assistance after he was denied support to obtain a wheelchair for his daughter.
Sudesh Singh, a parent of a child with special needs, said he sought assistance from an organisation when his salary was insufficient to meet his family’s needs but was deemed ineligible after being asked to provide his pay slip.
“At one stage, my salary as a primary schoolteacher was not enough to meet my family’s needs. I applied for assistance to get a wheelchair for my daughter,” he said.
Mr Singh said learning that his employment affected his eligibility for assistance was deeply upsetting.
“Many of you know me, and I can honestly say that decision broke my heart.”
He said support for children with disabilities should be based on their individual needs rather than their parents’ professions or income alone.
“Every child with special needs has different needs, and a parent’s job should not determine whether they can access essential equipment.”
Unable to secure assistance, Mr Singh said he eventually took out a loan to buy the wheelchair himself.
He also urged society to pay greater attention to the needs of children living with disabilities, saying many continued to face significant barriers.
“Some cannot walk. Some cannot speak. Some remain at home every day.”
Mr Singh made the comments during the launch of the Baseline Study on the Rights of Children with Disabilities in Fiji at the Ramada Hotel in Labasa.
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