To assess the livelihood options among the people with disability (PWDs) in the selected areas of Uttarakhand

B Maithili; Rajeev Prasad Bijalwan; Neelam Panday

Volume : V, Issue : V, May - 2015

To assess the livelihood options among the people with disability (PWDs) in the selected areas of Uttarakhand

B Maithili, Rajeev Prasad Bijalwan, Neelam Panday

Abstract :

The World Health Organization defines disability as “an umella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. Impairment is a problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations. The World Bank considers that leaving people with disabilities outside the economy translates into a foregone GDP of about 5–7 percent. Studies prove that the costs of economic exclusion outweigh the costs of full economic citizenship of PwDs. ‘Disability limits access to education and employment, and leads to economic and social exclusion. The sample size was selected based on the base line conducted by Institute in the 2012 in the same locations. For conducting this study 25 % cases were selected among the total 929 people with disability (18 –50 years). Inside the community the cases were selected randomly however ratio of male and female as well as all participation of all groups of society were ensured at all levels. Majority of respondents interested in off farming (47.5%), tailoring (13.5%), computer (26.6%), farming (11%), professional courses (2%) and others (3%). Out 234 respondents 16% were agree to bear their training expenditure, 86% respondents needed financial support and 40% require financial as well as second person support during training. On a positive note however it is important to highlight that disability did not prevent the respondents from striving to be independent and contributing towards improving their families. The majority of respondents stated that they gained economic benefits from income generating activities in various ways. These included strengthening small businesses, diversifying sources of income, accumulating productive and non–productive assets, raising money for regular meals and medical expenses, and reinvesting.