The Need

There is no current available data on disability prevalence in Nepal.  However, while there has been efforts to increase awareness of disability and educate the populace that being disabled is not a result of sins of the past, fate or God’s will, many are still marginalized. This belief limits disabled persons access to education and health care. A 2002 report published results of a UNICEF Situational Analysis on the state of disability in Nepal and regarding education it states: “According to the study A Situation Analysis on Disability in Nepal, 68.2 % of persons with disabilities in Nepal have no education. Among the disabled male population, 59.6 % have no education, while 77.7 % of disabled females have no education. However, the special education unit (MOE) has been promoting special education among school-aged children. Among the Persons with Disabilities from 6-20 years old, 43.7 % have never enrolled in school and the drop out rate is around 30%. Nearly half of all children with disabilities have not been able to benefit from education services. The high drop-out rate is said to result from inability of children with disabilities to perform as well as other children.” Other reports have indicated that the statistics may be even worse than above but to date, there is no data available. However, the above statistics makes a good case of need.