Disability audit in MP

2008

On behalf of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), a PACS Programme partner (2001-08), the Centre for Media Studies, New Delhi, has produced a 'disability audit' in Madhya Pradesh.

Its aim was to find out the current status of disabled people in the state who are covered by several legislations, including:

Persons with Disability (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, which provides for education, employment, creation of a barrier-free environment, social security, etc.
National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disability Act, 1999, which has provisions for legal guardianship of the four categories, and the creation of an enabling environment for as much independent living as is possible.
Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992, which deals with the development of manpower to provide rehabilitation services.
The three-part report examines the current profile of disabled persons in the state, measures taken to help them, under various legislations, and a survey of disabled persons that records their experiences.

Profile of the disabled

The principal sources to arrive at a profile of disabled people were Census 2001 and the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO), which show some variations in data.

There are 14,08,528 disabled people in Madhya Pradesh, making up 2.3% of the state’s total population (Census 2001). The NSSO reports 11,66,856 disabled people.
Visual disability is the most prevalent disability according to Census 2001. The NSSO says ortho-disability is the most prevalent.
Disabled children number around 100,929. About 60% in the 6-14 age-group are male.

Literacy

50% of the total disabled population is literate - 45% in rural areas and 55% in urban areas.
A majority (66%) of the literate disabled have not progressed beyond primary school.
The literacy rate for the disabled (49.7%) is much lower than the literacy rate for the general population (64.11%).

Employment

Only 37.6% of disabled people (529,648 people) are employed (main and marginal). The remaining 62.4% are not engaged in any income-generating activity.
About 81% of total disabled workers belong to rural areas, and 19% to urban areas.
Nearly 52% of the total disabled workforce in Madhya Pradesh belong to the visually disabled category.
About 42% of total disabled workers are cultivators, followed by agricultural labourers (27.5%).

State initiatives

Madhya Pradesh has its own state disability policy, adopted in 1997. Thirty-eight out of 48 districts have a local-level committee, as mandated under the National Trust, which provides legal guardianship to disabled adults. The Rehabilitation Council of India trains professionals in rehabilitation. It has recognised six institutions for training and special education. It also offers 47 special courses, from which 211 people have graduated.

Education:

According to official figures in 2005, 65,946 students with disability were enrolled in primary classes, and 33,852 in the upper primary level. Boys outnumbered girls in both. About 12% of schools have ramps for barrier-free movement.

Though financial assistance is given under various schemes for disabled students, and to train teachers for the disabled, only one college received financial assistance for higher education for the disabled; no college has received a grant for teacher training.

There are only six teachers for the visually disabled in three universities in the state, and only 28 have been trained to teach in schools. About 207 special educators have been trained to teach the mentally retarded. There are six schools for physically and visually disabled students, which have so far taught 289 students.

Employment:

There is provision for 6% reservation for the disabled in government jobs. About 3,665 disabled people are self-employed and 1,295 have been provided government jobs. There are 22,027 disabled people registered with employment exchanges. Government loans amounting to Rs 831.64 lakh have been disbursed, at 10% interest, to 2,016 beneficiaries (2005).

Housing:

There is 3% reservation for housing for the disabled under the Indira Awas Yojana, and another 4% in other schemes. Around 16,844 disabled-friendly houses have been constructed under the Persons with Disability Act, and another 16,000 under other schemes.

The state government holds camps to identify persons with disabilities, provide disability certificates and supply aids and appliances. Social security pensions have been given to those in the BPL (below the poverty line) category, and the disabled enjoy concessions on public transport.

Fund allocations:

The total budgetary allocation for various schemes for the disabled in 2003-04 was Rs 325.56 crore, and expenditure Rs 317.6 crore. Allocation of funds for various activities has shown an increase in 2006-07 over 2005-06.

NGOs:

Around 182 NGOs are involved in various activities related to the welfare of the disabled.

Violation of rights:

An average of 40-50 complaints relating to violation of rights of the disabled are received by the commissioner of disabilities every year. Almost all are sent in by post. Most pertain to non-receipt of social security pensions, student scholarships and disability certificates. Between April 2004 and April 2005, appropriate action has been taken in only 27 cases.

The report stresses that the introduction of various schemes does not automatically ensure justice for the disabled. The proper functioning of a grievance redressal mechanism is vital for the protection of the rights of disabled people.

People speak: survey

To assess the current status of disabled people in the state, as well as their views and opinions on various schemes and benefits for the disabled, a sample survey was conducted in five districts of Madhya Pradesh: Bhopal, Gwalior, Sagar, Chindwara and Sehore.

Some of the survey’s findings:

A majority (80%) of respondents were disabled from birth.
61% were totally disabled.
65% were unmarried.
Caste-wise, 35% belonged to the general category, 34% from other backward classes (OBC) and 28% from scheduled castes (SC).
59.5% were illiterate.
Among the literate, 14% had completed their primary and upper primary education; 4% had completed senior secondary level, and of these all except one were male.
Almost 90% of respondents reported that they were unable to complete/attend school for reasons such as no schools in the neighbourhood and poor economic conditions; these particularly affected girls.
77%-86% said schools did not provide free books, lunch, uniforms, transportation or free education; only 2 out of 81 respondents said they had easy access to toilets.
Less than one-fourth of respondents were engaged in an income-generating activity.
Less than 6% were registered for employment.

The survey also found low levels of awareness about various beneficial schemes.

85% of respondents were unaware of the existence of the Persons with Disability Act, 1995.
Around 60% of those who were aware of government schemes said they had availed of a scheme.
More than 80% were aware of disability certification, travel concessions and disability allowance. But very few (17%-18%) knew about special schooling and housing reservations.
50% said they faced difficulties whilst travelling or visiting government offices and public places due to the indifferent attitude of staff or the lack of special facilities for disabled people.

The survey attempted to determine levels of discrimination against the disabled:

73% said they faced no discrimination within the community.
A very high percentage reported no ill treatment at the hands of their teachers, though some reported unkind remarks from classmates.

Since disabled people know best what their needs are, the survey asked them to list them. Top of the list were:

Free and accessible schooling.
Free medical treatment.
Special counters at government offices that disabled people can frequent, and speedy disposal of their cases.
Free public transport, and easy access and seating.

Suggestions were also sought from state and district officials.

Several officials pointed to the lack of human resources such as special teachers for the education of mentally retarded people, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and clinical psychologists at the district level.
There is a dearth of orthotic-prosthetic personnel to make and repair wheelchairs, callipers, artificial limbs and orthopaedic shoes.

Though there is a mobile health unit in each district for disabled people, there are few people to man them.

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