As per Census 2011, in India, out of the 121 Cr population, about 2.68 Cr persons are ‘disabled’ which is 2.21% of the total population. In an era where ‘inclusive development’ is being emphasised as the right path towards sustainable development, focussed initiatives for the welfare of divyang persons are essential. Two individuals with the same impairment may face different types of difficulties in undertaking certain activities, and so have different needs that require different kinds of interventions. There are the broader social needs of persons with disabilities, such as provision of assistive technology for use in employment or education.

 

The National Policy for Persons with Disabilities (2006) recognizes that Persons with Disabilities are valuable human resource for the country and seeks to create an environment that provides equal opportunities, protection of their rights and full participation in society. India is a signatory to the ‘Declaration on the Full Participation and Equality of People with Disabilities in the Asia Pacific Region’ (2000). India has ratified the ‘UN Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities’ (2008). The Sustainable Development Goals (2015) pledges for ‘leaving no one behind’. Recognizing that the dignity of the human being is fundamental, Gokul wishes to endeavour to reach the furthest behind first.

 

Among the disabled population 56% (1.5 Cr) are males and 44% (1.18 Cr ) are females. In the total population, the male and female population are 51% and 49% respectively. Majority (69%) of the disabled population resided in rural areas (1.86 Cr disabled persons in rural areas and 0.81 Cr in urban areas). In the case of total population also, 69% are from rural areas while the remaining 31% resided in urban areas.

 

Uttarakhand, a Himalayan state is one of the most beautiful and enchanting region of northern India. Nature has endowed this land a pure and pristine natural beauty, peace and spiritual bliss. The state is also referred as ‘Dev Bhoomi’ the Land of Gods. The population of Uttarakhand is 1.01 Cr , out of which 1.85 Lakh persons are living with disability. Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are some of the state’s fringe and excluded groups and issues of which have been forgotten by the mainstream development. Table below portrayed the distribution of type of disability in Uttarakhand.

 

Number and Percentage of Type of Disabilities of PWDs in Uttarakhand (as per Census 2011)

 

S.No Total disabled population as per Census 2011 No. of Disabled Persons in Uttarakhand
(Disability Wise)
Seeing Hearing Speech Movement Mental Retardation Mental Illness Any Other Multiple Disability
1. 185272 29107 37681 12348 36996 11450 6443 30723 20524

 

However there is an urgent need to have a data base of specifically categorised the disability and the peculiar need for rehabilitation of the persons. This will help in development of a scheme wherein each person is benefitted as per that person’s specific requirement in view of the disability.