Introduction to DisabilityC. Mahesh, Advocacy Coordinator, CBR Forum

Date of update: 25 March 2012

Objectives of this session1. Gain greater understanding of disability

2. Status of Persons with Disabilities

3. Approaches to addressing disability

Words that come to your mind when you think of disability/ persons with disabilities

Why?

Who are persons with disabilities?

In India, according to…the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 and National Trust Act, 1999 the following disabilities are recognized

1. Blindness 2. Low vision3. Leprosy cured 4. Hearing impairment 5. Locomotor disability 6. Mental illness7. Mental retardation 8. Multiple Disabilities9. Autism10. Cerebral Palsy

How many persons with disabilities are there?

Prevalence of DisabilitiesGlobal Estimates – based on World Disability Report - 2011

1. About 15% of the population in the world has a disability

2. Between 2 and 4% of the population have severe disabilities

In India

3. NSSO - Report on ‘Disabled Persons in India 2002’ estimated 1.8 % (18 million); Male : Female = 59 : 41

4. Census 2001 estimated 2.13% (21 million); Male : Female = 58 : 42

5. Planning Commission, GoI, 11th 5-Year Plan estimates 5-6% of the population have disabilities

Persons with Disabilities in India

Source: Census of India, 2001

Rural – 75%

Urban - 25%

Percentage distribution of disabled persons by disability

Mental retardation

4%

Mental Illness5%

Blindness8%

Locomotor Disability

55%

Multiple disability

12%

Speech Impaired

4%

Low Vision3%

Hearing Impaired

9%

Source: NSSO Report on ‘Disabled Persons in India July – December 2002’

Urban areas

Percentage distribution of disabled persons by disability

Mental Illness5%

Blindness10%

Locomotor Disability

52%Speech Impaired

5%

Hearing Impaired10%

Low Vision4%

Mental retardation

4%Multiple disability

10%

Source: NSSO Report on ‘Disabled Persons in India July – December 2002’

Rural areas

What do you think are the consequences of having a disability?

Consequences of Disability Persons with disabilities frequently experience

discrimination and face barriers to participation in all aspects of society – for example, in accessing Education – 59% in Rural and 40% in Urban illiterate;

75% of Severe and 50% with Mild and Moderate Disabilities are Illiterate (NSS 58th Round - 2002)

Employment – 60% of persons with disabilities are out of labour force (NSS 58th Round - 2002)

Health care – 5-10% have access to health and rehabilitation?

Transportation - ??? Social Security Decision making platforms +++

Consequences of Disability

Some persons with disabilities face multiple barriers to their participation, due to discrimination on the basis of - sex, age, ethnic origin, language, religion, property, class, caste, location

As a result, persons with disabilities are at a high risk of poverty

Cycle of Disability and Poverty

Denial of opportunitiesfor economic, social and

human development

Deficits in economicSocial and cultural

rights

Reduced participation indecision making, and denial

of civil and political rights

Social and culturalexclusion and stigma

Disability

PovertyVulnerability

to poverty and ill health

What are the different types of barriers encountered by Persons with Disabilities?

Different kinds of barriers encountered by persons with disabilities

Attitudes

Information

CommunicationPhysical

Institutional

Understanding Disability

DisabilityImpairments Barriers

PhysicalMentalIntellectualSensory

AttitudesInformationCommunicationInstitutional

Who are ‘Persons with Disabilities’?Persons with disabilities include 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 an equal basis with others”. (CRPD - Art. 1, In force since May 2008, Ratified by India on 1st October 2007)

Approaches to addressing disability

Addressing issues of persons with disabilities is influenced by our beliefs and understanding

SegregatedIsolated

DependencyLow Self Esteem

DignityNon-discrimination

InclusionEqual Opportunity

Accessibility

Medical SocialHumanRights

Charity/Welfare

Education: Where the child is perceived as the problem

Child as the

problem

Does not respond,

cannot learn

Has special requirements

Needs special

equipment

Cannot go to school

Is different from other children

Needs special

environment

Needs special

teachers

Education system is the problem

Education system as problem

Teacher’s attitude

Rigid methods

and curriculum

Inaccessible environment

Many repeaters and drop-

outTeachers

and schools not

supported

Parents not involved

Lack of teaching aids and

equipment

Poor quality training

In conclusion…

Paradigm Shift in understanding disability

- Rights holder- Support to

participate as equal is a matter of right

- Decision makers

- Of charity- Pity- Passive recipient

Thank you