It is necessary for persons with special needs to join politics and policy making because laws, budgetary allocation, and public systems shape their daily survival and without their direct representation, these systems remain incomplete, inefficient, and unjust. Following are the reasons why person with special needs should join politics.
1. Decisions Are Made Without Lived Reality
Policies on disability are mostly written by people who have never lived with disability which leads to inaccessible infrastructure , token welfare schemes ,poor implementation & hollow sloganeering. Political Representation brings ground truth into lawmaking.
2. Democratic feedback Is Incomplete
Persons with special needs with their families and friends form a significant part of the population. Excluding them means weakened feedback, dormant socio-economic potential and reduced general satisfaction in the society.
3. Fundamental Human Rights Not Charity
Without political power disability remains only a welfare issue, with political participation disability becomes a rights-based issue, focus shifts to dignity, Independence, equal opportunity and equal access. Rights based outlook improves the social status of people with special needs.
4. Better Laws, Fewer Failures
People with special needs: Instantly recognize design flaws others miss , they minds are programmed to think of practical questions: “Can I enter this building?” “Can I travel alone?” “Is there going to be accessible toilet” This results in cost-effective, usable policies.
5. Accountability & Enforcement of Law
It is extensively observed that Laws often exist but are poorly enforced. Leaders with special needs demand compliance, not promises ,Push accessibility audits , ensure public money delivers real outcomes.
6. Changing Social Attitudes
The Geriatric population also faces many coherent issues with people with special needs, Most of the general population will experience some type of diminished ability in their lifetime. political visibility breaks stigma ends pity-based narratives ,normalizes disability in leadership society begins to see capability, not limitation which is in the best interest of the society as a whole.
7. Economic & National Development
Inclusion of person with special needs expands the workforce ,reduces dependency ,unlocks human capital and strengthens the economy. In a large population this untapped gains could run into hundred’s of billion dollars.
8. Ethical & Moral Responsibility
A society is judged by how it treats its most marginalized sections i.e. the geriatric and special needs community. Inclusion in politics reflects Justice, Compassion & Maturity of governance.
It is necessary for persons with special needs to join politics and policy making to ensure justice, dignity, effective governance, and true democratic feedback.
I would end by saying
Make policies & laws with US, not for US.