Awareness among Family Members Having Children with Mental Retardation on Relevant Legislations in India.

Abstract

In India, Acts and legislations are in place for persons with mental retardation. Three major Acts namely Rehabilitation Council of India Act (1992), Persons with Disabilities (Equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation) Act (1995) and National Trust for welfare of persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental retardation and Multiples disabilities Act (1999). Many families having persons with mental retardation are not aware of such Acts. This present study was undertaken to find out the level of awareness on legislations relating to mental retardation among family members having children with mental retardation. A sample of 103 respondents, attending home based training services for their wards at National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped (NIMH) were administered a thirty item questionnaire, classified into four groups namely, awareness of legislations, awareness of rights, concessions and benefits and life cycle needs. The result of the study showed that there is an overall moderate level of awareness on legislative aspects. Educated respondents showed better awareness of Acts and legislations than less educated persons. Among the various aspects of legislations, the respondents were better aware of the benefits and concessions because of the direct utility in their day-to-day activities. There is a need for creation of awareness and sensitization programme among parents and caregivers having persons with mental retardation to enable them to receive optimum benefits. To reach the uneducated population, the materials must also be made available in nonprint media including television, posters and illustrated pamphlets. Key words: Legislations, acts and rights for persons with mental retardation, concession and benefits for persons with mental retardation, guardianship for persons with mental retardation, families of persons with mental retardation / intellectual disabilities.