Impact of Disability on Quality of Life of Urban Disabled People in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study examined the impact of disability on the quality of life of disabled people in urban Bangladesh. A group of students of Department of Statistics, University of Dhaka conducted a survey in Dhaka city to collect socio-economic information for identification of disabled people. Information on disability and how it affected their life was also obtained either from the disabled people or from their caregivers by interviewing them. The study revealed that disability had a devastating effect on the quality of life of the disabled people with a particularly negative effect on their marriage, educational attainment, employment, and emotional state. Disability also jeopardized their personal, family and social life. More than half of the disabled people were looked at negatively by society. Disabled women and girl children suffered more from negative attitudes than their male counterparts, resulting in critical adverse effects on their psychological and social health. A combination of educational, economic and intensive rehabilitative measures should be implemented urgently to make them self-reliant. Collaborative communication between professionals and parents, behavioral counseling and comprehensive support to families will reduce their suffering.