Issues pertaining to families of disabled children in Kashmir

Abstract

Disability is a harsh reality and any person disabled suffers a lot, it becomes more painful when small children face any disability; because of their disability their parents and family member suffer both economically and socially. This study looks at the socio – economic problems and issues faced by families of disabled children in Kashmir. Researchers identified respondents by approaching a special school and then fixed appointments with the respondents explaining purpose of the meeting. The interview schedule was used to collect the responses from the respondents to accommodate both literate and illiterate respondents. The totals of 100 respondents were approached and interview schedules were filled. The study results clearly showed that most of the families face economic problems and many of them also face social problems. Results showed that there is significance between the relationship of respondents with disable child and its effect on their relationship with their friend, neighbors and relatives. Disability or disabled child is not associated to any particular caste, class, creed or religion. Any family may have a child with any type of disability, the government, NGOs / Corporate sector need to play an effective role in helping those families who have disabled children. Government, NGOs should also aware general public so that discrimination can be stopped with such families or people who have a disabled child or who are disabled. The study is the first of its nature in Kashmir which has tried to touch the issue of families who have disabled children. The data collected was properly checked and tested, so that it can give proper results. Key words: Disabled child, family, relationship, expenses, employment, income.