Socio-Economic Status of People With Disabilities:A Study of Pwds in Kunjo Vdc of Mustang

Abstract

People with Disabilities (PWDs) are one of the marginalized groups inNepal. Few researches exploring situation of PWDs have shown that disabledpeople are experiencing stigma and discrimination in the society. However,there has not been any such study so far that has explored socio economicstatus of PWDs particularly in Mustang district. The present research is aqualitativeand descriptive study exploring the socio-economic status of entirepopulation of PWDs living in Kunjo VDC of Mustang district. Focus GroupDiscussion, Semi-structured and Key Informant interviews were conducted toacquire the required information. From District Woman DevelopmentCommittee data collected, it was identified that out of the total VDCs in thedistrict, Kunjo VDC had high number of recorded PWDs identity cardsdistribution. Out of the total PWDs who received the identity cards in the VDC,22 were taken as respondents. Similarly, 12 PWDs who had not yet received thecard were also taken as respondents for the survey. The research found that, most of the PWDs were found to be from thehouseholds with agriculture as the primary means of livelihood.Majority 47%of the disabled people in Kunjo VDC had speech and hearing disability. Noneof them are found to have received training on sign language. Majority ofdisabled people are dependent on their family members for daily living. Few ofthe PWDs areable to engage in income earning activities which have improvedtheir socio economic status. However, almost all of them are deprived fromeducation and income earning opportunities. Furthermore, the study has alsoexplored information on possibilities andpotentialities of the PWDs and seekspossible recommendations to up lift their socioeconomic status.Key Words: People with Disabilities (PWDs), Socio-economic status,possibilities and potentialities, Kunjo VDC, Mustang.