What explains the wide variation in the prevalence of benchmark disability in the state of Andhra Pradesh?

Abstract

Introduction: Population-based enumeration of persons with disability (PWD) is vital for the allocation of resources to provide social welfare measures, toward PWD inclusion, and for the improvement of their quality of life. Wide variations exist between different estimations of PWD across studies conducted by various agencies such as the Census Board of India, World Health Organization and World Bank. Irrespective of Population based estimations, In India, people certified as having 40% or above disability described as “BenchMark Disability”(BMD), are only eligible for social welfare measures like disability pension, job reservations intended for persons with disability. Objectives: This study was carried out to understand if populations-based estimation of disability prevalence is equivalent to the prevalence of BMD or not. Methodology: Data on the number of persons with BMD, published by the Social welfare department of Andhra Pradesh at online portal called SADAREM is compared to population-based estimation of number of PWD in Andhra Pradesh through census board estimation. Results: As per census 2011, about 1,265,167 (2.5%) persons among the general population were estimated to have one or other disability in Andhra Pradesh State. The data published by the Social Welfare Department of AP state indicates a lower estimate, that by April 2020, there are only 957,412 (1.8%) persons among the general population had one or another BMD. In this article, the possible reasons for such variation are discussed as such variation may have significant policy level implications.