Patna: With only 37% of the total disabled population of the state forming part of the workforce, Bihar stands at number 14 among all states and Union territories, according to Census 2011. While at national level, 36% of the total disabled population was reported as working group.
This figure is significant as the theme of International Day of Persons with Disabilities this year is ‘Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for inclusive and sustainable future', which can be ensured only by making the group self-reliant and empowered by drawing them in the mainstream as workforce.
The day is being observed on December 3 every year by the United Nations since 1992 with an aim to promote understanding on the issue and garner support for dignity and rights of such persons.
On education front, Bihar was ranked much lower at 29 with merely 47% literacy among its disabled people whereas Kerala was number one with nearly 71% literates in the same populace. Bihar and Kerala's total literacy was recorded at 64% and 94% respectively at the time. In comparison to 74% literacy of the entire population at the national level, only 55% of the disabled were literate nationally, as per the Census.
Further, the Census says that Bihar's 34% of disabled children in 5-19 years age group never attended any educational institution. The state is among the worst performers and just above Nagaland (39%), Assam (36%) and Meghalaya (35%).
Bihar, however, has only 8.69% of the total disabled population of the country, while with over 12%, the state has the highest share of children with disabilities in the age group of 0-6 years, according to the Census data. At all-India level, 7.62% of the disabled people belonged to the said age group.
According to a report published last year, out of the seven types of disabilities, multiple disabilities affected the maximum number of people in Bihar, followed by locomotor disability, speech and language, hearing, visual, mental disability and mental illness.
About the challenges they face, first-year Intermediate student Raja Kumar (24), who is visually impaired, said they have to undergo tremendous hardships. "We are dependent on others for every work. We cannot attend our classes daily," said Raja, who aspires to become a teacher or banker. "Some sort of device, which can tell us about impending dangers like open drains and potholes, should be developed for us. Free transportation facilities should be provided to us by govts," he added.
Kanhai Kumar, who has difficulty in walking, recently qualified BPSC's teacher recruitment examination. He said the state govt should either reduce the qualifying marks or raise the reservation for the disabled. "We are already way behind others and can never match up with them unless given some sort of encouragement," he said.