Double or differential standards is perhaps a common thing in India so far as discriminating on the basis of disability is concerned. Persons with disabilities are often classified separately from their non-disabled counterparts, to deny them equal rights; or to strangulate a person by placing so many additional requirements, it becomes impossible to fulfill all of them even with all the Divyang powers one has.
It might be a common occurrence in India to have such differential treatment from organizations originating and based in our country. However, it is usually assumed that organizations from developed and so-called inclusive societies like the United States are always better in their approach in handling disability matters. Let’s break some myths here.
A lot of these organizations that are very adaptive to the needs of persons with disabilities in the United States often change their attitude when it comes to persons with disabilities residing in India. The reason is quite comprehendible: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance is a huge thing in the United States, which is not the case in India. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (2016), even after 2 years of its passing, is premature and inadequate to deal with the cases of differential classification and discrimination on the basis of disability.
One of the examples of entities changing their compliance standards with a change in jurisdiction of their operation is the Educational Testing Service (ETS), that conducts the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam worldwide. Firstly, they have an extremely lengthy documentation process that includes a demand for more than the required proofs of disability. (throughout the process, I felt like I was an illegal immigrant trying to enter the United States)
For candidates in India, it is even more difficult, because the entire process is carried out by their primary office situated in the United States. Although they have a Prometric testing service in India, they have no rights to approve disability accommodations. In addition to which, ETS doesn’t have any contact centre or help-desk in India, which compels a candidate to call up their office in the United States each time one has an issue with disability accommodations. All of this results in an extra wait period, which might extend to 3, 4 or even 6 months. My process began in July, and even after all the hurdles and follow-ups, my process wasn’t completed before October. This period is extremely crucial as majority universities open-up their applications during this period, which are closed by December.
Moreover, in the initial form that the ETS takes from candidates with disabilities, their preference for test locations are asked for. However, after the testing accommodations are approved, the Prometric tells you that there are only three centres-Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad in the whole of India, where candidates with disabilities can appear for their TOEFL exam. Their Mumbai centre is usually pre-booked till the next two-month period, which rules out the possibility of going there. Thus, the only remaining options are Chennai and Hyderabad. Going from any north/ west/ east Indian state to these destinations is an expensive affair. When this is added to the already expensive TOEFL exam fees, the expenditure for an English Exam would be more than the total application fees one spends for 10 universities in the US.
All of this because according to Prometric, “only these 3 centres have separate rooms for candidates with disabilities”. Educational Testing Service has over 35 centres across 30 cities of India, and none of them have “one separate room” to accommodate a person with disability! I am not sure if their centres are running out of a kholi or a dukaan. For example, the ETS Centre of Dehradun is located at a Kholi on the Mall Road, also popularly known as the Doon School.
This process is highly simplified in the United States. Proofs for disability can be submitted even by their schools, universities and workplaces. In a hypothetical situation, if a person from Texas has to travel all the way to New York to appear for their TOEFL exam, the only outcome would be their disability rights attorneys pressing a gun called the “ADA” to the asses of TOEFL administrators.
Summary of the story: ETS: if there is ADA, we will comply; who the hell cares about RPwD anyways!
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