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Towards a new disability policy
Census 2011 figures are likely to throw up more accurate figures for disabled population at around 9 crore. But the social justice ministry allocates only 10% of its budget to disability, and there are no moves to review the 2006 national policy
Persons with Disabilities Act
Given the enormous dimensions and complex nature of the problem of disability in India, and the failure of existing policies and programmes to address it adequately, there is urgent need for a re-orientation of the policy framework on the issue. Needless to say, this has to be from a rights-based perspective. It is a sad commentary that despite over six decades of independence and the passage of 18 years since the Persons with Disabilities Act was enacted, the goal of mainstreaming persons with disabilities into society remains a distant dream. A situation made worse by the wide gap in policy formulation and implementation.
The faulty methodology adopted in the 2001 census deprived both stakeholders and policymakers of reliable data on disability in India. The ambiguities, discrepancies and contradictions in data, planning and outlay can be addressed only if we have the right enumeration and data. Hopefully, the 2011 census will come up with figures that are reliable and accurate. In their absence, we can only assume that less than 7-8% of the countryโs total population is impaired, either physically, mentally or sensorially. If this yardstick were to be adopted to ascertain the number of people afflicted by various disabilities, it would give us the staggering figure of around 9 crores, of whom 75% or more are concentrated in rural and far-flung backward regions.
Despite a lot of talk in policy circles about empowering the disabled (generally coinciding with the observance of December 3), most of whom are doubly disadvantaged because of their low socio-economic status, the situation at the grassroots is alarming as the overwhelming majority of disabled people in India lie outside the network of government programmes.
A policy statement, as we all know, is a declaration of the governmentโs intent in implementing a particular programme, towards which end it may bring in legislation, create the requisite infrastructure, etc. Identifying the targeted population, such a document spells out the aims and objectives, resources, infrastructure and broad strategy for implementation of the scheme.
Unfortunately, there was no policy document in place when the PwD Act was adopted in 1995. Eleven years on, realisation dawned, the result of which was the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities, 2006. Other disability-specific legislation was also enacted earlier.
There is no doubting the intent, but even when the policy was pronounced it proved inadequate. It lacked a rights-based approach and failed to address many concerns. The policy was, in fact, merely a replica of the PwD Act; it did not contain anything new. In a repeat, the government is in the process of drafting a new law, without having spelt out the new policy.
The 2006 policy document ends with a promise that: โEvery five years, a comprehensive review will be done on implementation of the national policy. A document indicating status of implementation and a roadmap for five years shall be prepared based on deliberations in the national-level convention. State governments and union territory administrations will be urged to take steps for drawing up state policy and develop action.โ
It is seven years since the policy was adopted. If a review is contemplated, it would not only have to go into the drawbacks of the policy but also lacunae in its implementation, and reasons for failures. A comprehensive review would have to, in the main, address the failure in mainstreaming the disabled; failure to provide education, employment and livelihoods; denial of health services; failure in integration, at removing barriers both attitudinal and societal; and problems of accessibility. Reasons for non-accomplishment of commitments and goals set in the 2006 policy would have to be looked into. The lessons that such a comprehensive review hold should, among other things, contribute to laying the foundation for a new policy.
The 2006 document is based on the medical model and emphasises medical rehabilitation. Not surprisingly therefore, among the issues listed as the focus of the policy statement and intervention, the first two are prevention of disabilities and rehabilitation measures.
In its introduction, the policy says: โThe Constitution of India ensures equality, freedom, justice and dignity of all individuals and implicitly mandates an inclusive society for all, including persons with disabilities.โ
This is actually a myth as far as disabled citizens are concerned as disability does not find a place either in Article 15 (1) or 16 (2) of the Constitution which talk of grounds for non-discrimination.
When the policy document was adopted in 2006, the targeted population was 2.13% (2001 census). This figure is bound to go up substantially as a more scientific methodology of enumeration has been adopted in the 2011 census.
The policy document does not speak of the huge resources needed to achieve the targets spelt out. There have been insufficient allocations and outlay for the sector. Of the total budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, less than 10% went towards disability. Despite such a huge population, a separate department for disability affairs was created only last year. Budgetary allocations continue to be low, even today.
Programmes and schemes spelt out in the Five-Year Plans have not received adequate budgetary support. The Eleventh Plan had a big section on disability. It outlined various measures most of which have not seen the light of day, whether it be in the matter of education, employment or other areas. Allocations must increase if the provisions of UNCRPD are to be implemented.
The disabled fare poorly in the matter of education, employment, etc. Literacy levels are as low as 49%, compared to 64% in the general population. Some studies reveal that around 34% of the disabled population are employed. This is doubtful. But even if we do go by the figure, that leaves out 66% of the disabled population!
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Additional Information
Country: India
Website: http://www.infochangeindia.org/disabilities/analysis/towards-a-new-disability-policy.html#.UcMBmEX5bKM.email
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Source: infochangeindia.org
When: 26/6/2013
