Dimensions of invisibility: insights into the daily realities of persons with disabilities living in rural communities in India

Abstract

Persons with disabilities in rural India do not have the opportunity to lead a self-determined life and be included in their community as required by the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. To investigate their experience of living everyday life and the amount of agency they are able to exercise, in-depth interviews were undertaken. The Capability Approach (CA) was used to analyse the situation that was seen in terms of outcome of the interplay between internal and external factors resulting in loss of agency. The results show that the dependency they experience due to lack of adequate support to undertake activities and being completely dependent on the family places them in a vicious circle of 'self-worthlessness'. Reducing the dependency disabled people face and changing perceptions of the community towards disability may break this circle.

A Narrative Review of the Government Wheelchair Provision System in India

“…However, the inadequacy of the wheelchairs for in-home mobility in India is not limited to the ADIP scheme wheelchairs. It is a common challenge highlighted in other literature as well [ 14 , 15 , 16 ].…”

Universal Mobility in Old Core Cities of India: People’s Perception

“…Apart from political and administrative difficulties, a cultural stigma is also attached to the Universal Design thinking in India. Disability in India has been associated with past sins, and the disabled people are historically ignored in social/religious participation [28]. Thus, implementing Universal Design guidelines in India is substantially complex and requires an audit to assess the condition of inclusivity before imparting Universal Design.…”

Influences on selection of assistive technology for young children in South Africa: perspectives from rehabilitation professionals (Van Niekerk, Dada and Tönsing)

“…Other important factors are lack of awareness about the possibility of AT as a solution and cultural acceptance of AT. From research in rural areas in India, we know for example that people with severe disabilities, including children, often never get connected to any rehabilitation or AT service, that they are not aware of such services, and that they seem to accept their disability as a fact of "karma" [3]. In a study looking at child health in a large slum in Bangalore, India, we recently conducted a community meeting with a group of around 30 women who had about 100 children, some of whom displayed obvious disabilities.…”