IMPACT OF DISABILITY ON POVERTY AND DEVELOPMENT - A STUDY

Dear All

ABSTRACT

Disability is both cause and consequence of Poverty and Poverty is both the cause and consequence of Disability and both Poverty and Disability are the real barriers for achieving the development covering social, economic and human resources in the given area / environment. When it is the general situation, the impact of poverty and disability in the rural villages is still worst and the quality of life of the people affects significantly where their basic survival it self becomes questionable. Disability limits accessibility for education, employment and other community activities / resources which further leads for their economic and social exclusion / isolation.

The study on the impact of poverty and disability on the development of the villages / community was done in the rural villages in the parts of Andhra Pradesh, India and brought out the causes and solutions in achieving better development of the people and area. One such significant point is that poverty results for the disability and disability further deepens the poverty and thus becomes barrier for the development. The study has been made through the NGOs and Parents Organizations working for the rehabilitation of the people with disabilities in general and more concerned with mental retardation and other associated disabilities. The movement of the parents has resulted for the creation of several schemes and policies in government as well as in private funding agencies by changing the attitude of the people towards the rehabilitation of these special children.

The empowerment of the parents of the children with disabilities helped to enhance their capacities in rehabilitating their own children along with several such special children living in the surrounding villages. The service spectrum adopted by most of the Organizations includes: awareness both for prevention and identification, early intervention, mainstreaming, education both normal and special, pre-vocational and vocational training and employment both in open, sheltered environment and self employment etc., and thus for their empowerment. This process has resulted for their independent living with better sustainability and quality of life to the maximum extent possible in the given environment on the basis of equality and dignity as a right like any other normal member of the community.

This paper presents the impact study of disability and poverty over the development of the selected rural villages and solutions for making better development of the people and area. Case studies both individuals and organizations were presented with the clear understanding of the impact of poverty and disability on the development of the self and community and betterment achieved in this direction. It also presents the rehabilitation model covering medical, social and economical areas including their inclusion in the general poverty reduction programs adopted by the organizations under study resulted for the empowerment of the parents, their special children and community itself which finally resulted for their better living in an inclusive and barrier free environment with better accessibility for their entitlements at all levels. It is necessary to work on life cycle basis in a holistic way by addressing all the issues and needs through an integrated approach.

Looking forward...

PS: Paper presented at International Seminar