Specialised Training, Courage and Commitment of the People with Disability Brings Positive Results: Examples from India and Nepal

Abstract

The Census data of 2011 report that out of 121 crore total population in India, about 2.68 crore persons are living with disability. It constitutes nearly 2.21% of the total population of India. Similarly, in Nepal, the Census in 2011 reported that approximately 2% (513,321) of the total population of Nepal has ‘some kind of disability’. According to the World Health Organization, disability has three dimensions: impairment in a person’s body, structure or function or mental functioning; examples of impairments include loss of a limb, loss of vision or memory, also limitation of activity, such as difficulty in seeing, hearing, walking or problem-solving. Countries around the world are working hard to give better opportunity and changes to make life independent for a person with disability. However, the reality is that discrimination persists in the society. One of the studies1 (Selvi Narayanan, Faculty of Business, Asia Metropolitan University) reveals that discrimination against the disability is more pervasive and more systematic and can present challenges in getting important documents such as voter IDs and driving licenses. The study reveals that the discrimination stems from a lack of understanding of the needs of a person with a disability. Despite all these challenges, people with disabilities are moving forward and doing excellent in their career and education.