Disability caused by poverty

In developing countries 80% of the people live with impediment from less than one Euro per day. At the same time 20% of the poorest people in the world have an impediment or a disability. These figures show the mutual connection between poverty and disability. The living conditions in developing countries, lack of food or insufficient health care are causes for disability. At the same time people with a disability are especially threatened by poverty. Often there are no school and education offers for them; subsequently working possibilities and chances to earn money are absent. So they remain depending on their families or from alms. Thus it is impossible for these people to lead an independent life in dignity. In Nepal 42% of the 28 Million inhabitants live below the poverty line.
70.1% of the people with disability are stigmatised and have difficulties to live with dignity in the society. There are no unequivocal data for disability in Nepal. Even the number of the people with disability varies. A research has proved that most people with disability (69.3%) depend on the support of their families. Programs that focus on differently abled people and their needs are very limited. Most initiatives occur for reasons of well-being, but they are not based on the perspective of the right on education, participation, equalization etc. Often disability is understood as transmissible or infectious. Sisters of handicapped people often have worse marriage views. People with disability may have no possessions at all. The mother of the child is often held responsible for the childs disability.

Changes in the governing law have become charity outlook on disability. Without ensuring rights to live a social life for the disabled people through legislation, the programmes designed for people with disabilities become futile. The amended draft of 'Disability Persons Welfare and Protection Act 2039 (DPWA)' also is not fully ensure the equitable and dignified life of people with disabilities. The Constitutional clauses also have not been enacted to make special arrangements for the people with disabilities. To address the need of reservation to insure participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of social life, the present constitution also need to be amended accordingly. All the discriminatory provisions in existing laws including the marriage clause of Muluki Ain should be eliminated. (Source: http://www.disabilityworld.org/06-08_04/gov/nepal.shtml)