Personality Characteristics Social Awareness and Academic Achievement of Physically Challenged and Normal Secondary School Students in Kashmir

Abstract

Physically Challenged students continue to be a concern for teachers, planners and administrators and for the society as a whole. According to India s Census of 2011, 26,810,557 persons in India are suffering from one or the other kind of disability which is equivalent to 2.21 % of the total population. Physically challenged persons are those possessing physical defects which reduce their efficiency in performing personal and social obligations according to socially determined standard. According to the UN convention on rights of persons with disabilities, person with disabilities include all those who have long term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on equal basis with others . Physically challenged persons frequently express feelings of depression, withdrawal, and isolation, (Meadows and Orlans, (1985) and adversely impact their personality that is why the personality characteristics of the physically challenged students are not same as of the normal students. A person becomes socially aware by taking part in social activities, interacting with peers; physically challenged students don t get much opportunity to take part in social activities and interact with peers due to their physical disability and show less social awareness than their normal counterparts. When students feel safe, engaged, and respected, they can focus on their academic goals. Adesokan (2003) acclaimed that most challenged persons experience rejection, isolation and maltreatment from other members of the society. They can t focus on their studies and show lower academic achievement than normal students