3. administration and policy on disability

Country Profile onNepal

3. Administration and Policy on Disability

3-1. Administration on Disability

* See Annex 1. for the list of governmental organizations

Central Government

【Organizational chart】

PrimeMinister

M inistry ofEducation

M inistry of

W om en, C hildren

and Social W elfare

Ministry ofHealth

M inistry of

local

D evelopm ent

N ationalP lanning

C om m ission

D epartm entof Education

S ocialW elfareC ouncil

D epartm entof healthS ervices

S ocialS erviceD ivision

prim aryEducationD ivision

EducationUnit

EarlyC hildfoodD ev. S ec.

CentralHospital

Centers Divisions

W om en'sEducation

S ec.

R egional H ealth

Services

D irectorateNCASC CHD

S pecialEducation

S ec.

RegionalHospital

EDCD

LCD

CHD=Child Health Division EDCD=Epidemiology and Disease Control Division LCC=Leprosy Control Center NCASC=National Center for AIDS and STD Control

【Disability-related Central Governmental Organizations】

【Name】【Description】

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Figure 5: Organizational Chart of Central Government


Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare

N/A

Ministry of Education The Special Education Section of the Ministry has promoted special education for students with disabilities. This section serves as the Secretariat for the Special Education Council. It is through this body that the government allocates founds to run special education in special schools.

Ministry of Health This ministry has separate divisions that deal with preventive, promotive and curative services for persons with disabilities. The Child Health Division (CHD), the Leprosy Control Center (LCC),the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) and the National Center for AIDS and STD Control (NCASC) generallycarry out preventive and promotive services.

Ministry of Local Development

After the initiation of the Local Governance Act, the District Development Committee (DDC) and the Village Development Committee (VDC), under the Ministry, have been authorized to protect the livelihood of local communities, including Persons with Disabilities. The VDC is responsible for maintaining records of Persons with Disabilities. The VDC is also responsible for ensuring the protection of persons with disabilities according to the national policy.

National Planning Commission

The National Planning Commission Secretariat has its owneducation unit that deals with special education. The commission also deals with the disability issues under its Social Service Division.

Following the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, a National Coordination

Committee (NCC) was formed under the support of the Ministry of Women, Children and

Social Welfare with the participation of representatives from Ministry of Finance, the National

Planning Commission, the Social Welfare Council and Nepal Industrial Development

Corporation.

【Availability of National Coordination Committee】Yes 【Committee name】 National Committee for the Welfare of the Disabled Persons

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【Plan and implemented activities】 1. The National Committee for the Welfare of the Disabled Persons’ (NCWDP), headed

by the Minister of Women, Children and Social Welfare, has prepared a national policy on disability (but this has not been approved by government yet). The 1994/95 budget introduced the policy of providing economic and social security to the vulnerable with a monthly allowance of Rs. 100/- (50 persons per district).

2. The Ministry of Women and Social Welfare enacts and implements the necessary legislation, and coordinates programs to provide equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. It has developed two landmark policies: the National Disabled Policy Planof Action of 1996 and the Disabled Persons Service National Policy of 1996.

3. The Workshop on UN Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities was held in 1998.

4. The Disabled Welfare National Policy Execution Committee 2054 was formed in 1999. This committee was formed under the chairmanship of the Minister of State forWomen and Social Welfare to implement the Disabled Welfare National Policy 2053 framed by Disabled Welfare National Committee. This will:

a. Implement and help implement the Laws and Acts coming into existence in disability welfare areas

b. Amend the existing laws and acts, if required c. Monitor the activities of Disabled Welfare National Committee

5. Conducted study on A Situation Analysis on Disability in Nepal (A National Sample Survey).

Local Government

【Organizational chart】

Figure 6: Chart of Ministry of Education, Health, and Local Development at Local Level

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Ministry ofEducation

Ministry of loDevelopment

DistrictEducation offi DDC

programCoordinator

District PublHealth

Office(14)

District HealOffice(61)

VDC

SpecialEducationSupervisor

Ward Committee

FCHV (42427Volunteers)

TBA(12617 TBAs)

PHCoutreach(13507

workers)EPI outreach

health Post(74

Sub-HealthPost(3195)

primary healthCare

Centers(117)

Ministry ofHealth

Zonal Hospital(11zones)

DistrictHospital(74)

CHD= Child Health Division EDCD= Epidemiology and Disease Control Division LCC= Leprosy Control Center NCASC= National Center for AIDS and STD Control TBA= Traditional Birth Attendant FCHV= Female Community Health Volunteer PHC= Primary Health Care EPI= Expanded Program on Immunization

【Disability-related local Governmental Organizations】

【Name】【Description】 Local level: VDC Ward committee

Primary unit of the local VDC level. Nine wards in each VDC. Each ward has a ward chairperson and members who are directly responsible for the people in their respective wards. Plays important role in person with disabilities registration and provision of disability allowance.

Community level: Female Community Health Volunteers

Health service provider. Participate in national immunization programs and assist in launching curative measures for persons with disabilities.

3-2. Laws and Regulations on Disability

* See Annex 3. for other laws

【Title】 Local Self-government Act 2056/1999

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【Year legislated】 1999 【Purpose】 To help activities relating to the protection and livelihood of

disadvantaged communities, orphans and Persons with Disabilities in the village

【Description】・ Authorizes VDC and the VDC Ward Committee to help activities of disadvantaged

communities, orphans and Persons with Disabilities of the village. ・ Imposes duty on the VDCs to maintain records on children with disabilities within the

VDC and to make arrangements for their appropriate accommodation. ・ Provides guideline for the VDC to work for the protection of orphans, vulnerable women, and

persons with disabilities 【Title】 Child Act 【Year legislated 】 1992 【Purpose】 To ensure the rights of children with disabilities and orphans 【Description】 The Child Act ensures that children with disabilities are kept in a government children’s welfare home until they reach the age of 16. The duration may be extended to 18 years when they have nowhere else to go. The Act imposes duty on government to establishhomes for orphaned children with disabilities and educate them.

3-3. Policies on Disability

National Development Plan

Of all the Development Plans of the Kingdom of Nepal, the Seventh (1985-1990), Eighth

(1991-1996) and the Ninth (1997-2002) plans include policies for persons with disabilities.

The Seventh Plan includes the integration of persons with disabilities; the Eighth Plan

articulated the creation of regional model schools and community participation. The present

Ninth Plan hopes to implement necessary changes in the Acts and Regulations and introduce

free education, from pre-school to the Bachelor’s level, with a renewed emphasis on family

and community rehabilitation.

【Title】 The Eighth Five Year Plan 【Period】 1991-1996

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【Items regarding with Disability】 For the first time, the Eighth Plan regarded disability as a substantial development issue.The budget for 1994/95 allocated Rs.10010 for 50 physically or mentally disabled persons per district. In the 1995/96 budget, provision was made for the gradual establishment of regional schools in five development regions for children with disabilities.

【Title】 The Ninth Five Year Plan 【Period】 1997- 2002 【Items regarding with Disability】 The Plan includes the following; ・ Free treatment for persons with disabilities in health centers ・ Extended cooperation for the establishment of community-based rehabilitation centers. ・ Coordination between the Ministry of Social Welfare and Ministry of Health, which

plays the role of coordinator in places where this program has been initiated by local authorities.

・ Establishment of welfare centers for persons with disabilities ・ Collection and classification national data on persons with disabilities according to type

of disability. Authentic data of Person with Disabilities will be maintained in each VDC, municipality, sub-metropolistan entities, DDCs and the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare.

・ Distribution of allowances for persons with disabilities at the local level, which exclude regular employees, income earners, people living in rehabilitation centers and recipients of scholarships

・ Arrangement for of free education for person with mentally disability, hearing andvisual impairment.

・ Provision of free vocational training ・ Development of textbooks in Braille script ・ Broadcasting of special programs for persons with disabilities through various media. ・ Establishment of specific treatment centers for person with disabilities ・ Encouragement of the establishment of industries, which produce assistive devices such as

artificial limbs, wheelchairs, crutches, and hearing aids for person with disabilities ・ Provision of special facilities for employers who employ persons with disabilities

3-4. Measures on Disability

Prevention, Identification and Early Intervention

【Current situation】

The study Situation Analysis on Disability, 1999 indicated that disease and accidents were the

21

10 1 Rs. (Nepal rupee) = 1.7454 yen (as of 15 March 2002)


main cause of disability. It was reported that 50 % of disability cases commenced before 5

years of age.11 This indicates the need for launching preventive initiatives in primary health

care units.

Identification and early intervention leads to prevention of disabilities. The general lack of

awareness among people concerning the medical causes of disability. They see disability as

sin of the past or their fate prevents early detection.

See Annex 3 for the list of other policy/programs

【Policy/program title】 Universal Salt Iodization program 【Implementation year】 Since 1970s 【Description】 To control Iodine Deficiency Disorder, iodized salt has been introduced. This is one of the foremost strategies adopted by Nepal for the prevention of disability12

【Policy/program title】 Nepal Micronutrient Status Survey 1998

【Implementation year】 1997/1998 【Description】 In order to derive updated information on the national level of micronutrient malnutrition, a study was launched under the support of the Child Health Division, Department of Health Services, and Ministry of Health.

Medical Services and Rehabilitation

*See Annex 4. for the list of facilities for rehabilitation


Private initiatives on person with disabilities medical rehabilitation complement government

services. Provisions are made to have at least two beds reserved for persons with disabilities

in district hospitals. In order to make sure that this provision is being followed, NGOs like

Nature Nepal and others have made visits and sent persons with disabilities to hospitals for

treatment. Medical rehabilitation is provided by governmental health services, along with

other initiatives, such as the Hospital and Rehabilitation Center for Disabled Children

(HRDC).

11 A Situation Analysis on Disability in Nepal, 1999 (Unpublished) 12 Onishi, Hideyuki, Jimba, Masamine, Improved Iodized Salt Management: The Key to Controlling Iodine Deficiency Disorders in Nepal (Japanese). Retrieved March 1, 2002, from http://shoroku.iph.go.jp/kosyu/2001/200150010012.pdf

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Nepal has not yet developed a system for persons with disabilities to systematically obtain

assistive devices. Assistive devices are imported in limited numbers and purchased with the

help of donor agencies and individual donors. Devices for persons with locomotive

disabilities, such as artificial limbs and tricycles, are primarily imported from India. Assistive

devices for person with visual and hearing impairment, including Braille materials and

hearing aids, are generally imported from Germany, Japan and the United States of America.

Devices imported through institutions are subject to a 1% duty. Devices imported by Persons

with Disabilities for their own use are subject to a minimum 10% duty. If the devices are

imported for business purposes, no duty is charged.

Education


The Ministry of Education, the Basic Primary Education Program (BPEP) and Danish

International Development Agency (DANIDA) have been working jointly for the promotion

of special education in Nepal. For the past five years, DANIDA has made significant

contributions to the promotion of special education by providing assistance to the government

of Nepal. DANIDA granted approximately Rs. 630 million from 1993-1997.

Special education covered 26 districts (3500 students) by 1999. There are now 49 resource

classes for visually disabled students, 63 for those with hearing disabilities and 68 for those

with learning disabilities.

The Special Education Unit has developed a number of teacher training packages for special

needs teachers. This training package has a comprehensive program on awareness training,

basic training on classroom management and teaching methods and special training for

students with special needs. It also includes non-formal training for adult persons with

disabilities and a training program for teachers of inclusive schools.

Person with disabilities education is an important priority, as 68.2% of persons with

disabilities have not received education. Although the government provides free education to

persons with disabilities from pre-primary to the undergraduate level, persons with disabilities

who attend schools are limited and the drop-out rate is high. In order to solve the problem of

integrating children with disabilities into normal schools, which is thought to be one of the

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causes of the high drop-out rate, development of a children with disabilities-friendly

curriculum and facilities, teacher training and financial assistance for enrolment may need to

be considered.

【Policy/program title】 Ninth Five Year Plan 【Implementation year】 1997-2002 【Description】

Provision of free education to persons with disabilities from pre-primary to the Bachelor’s level, and development of disabilities-specific vocational education was planned.

【Policy/program title】 Special Education Program 【Implementation year】 1992 【Description】

Resource classes were established in a number of districts.

Social Service


Although governments under the Muluki Ain13 provided social services, most people were

not aware of these provisions and were unable to benefit.

The Social Welfare Council provided an interpreter to every office for the hearing impaired so

that they would be able to participate in office activities.

【Policy/program title】 Mulki Ain 【Implementation year】 1962 (amended several times) 【Description】 Members were required to inform their respective Chief District Officer (CDO) offices or municipality offices if there were children with disabilities in the VDC and these officeswere required to take care of persons with disabilities in their area. The CDO, with his allocated office funds, was responsible for the provision of shelter, living allowance, andtwo pairs of clothes per-year per-person until other arrangements were made.

【Policy/program title】 Ninth Five Year 【Implementation year】 1997-2002

13 Mulki Ain is the first legal Code of Nepal enacted in 1962.

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【Description】 The establishment of industries, which produce assistive devices, such as artificial limbs, wheelchairs, crutches, and hearing aids for persons with disabilities, were encouraged and they were encouraged to distribute materials at a subsidized rate.

Vocational Training and Employment Promotion Services


The Social Welfare Council started disbursing easy loans to persons with disabilities so that

they could begin to manage their own enterprises in 1999. The loans were authorized through

the Agricultural Development Bank. Persons with disabilities were asked to apply for loans in

their proposed fields of enterprise. However, beneficiaries of this scheme have been limited to

urban areas.

The Social Welfare Council also registers organizations involved in promoting person with

disabilities vocational rehabilitation. As there is no single Rehabilitation Committee, various

organizations working for persons with disabilities are involved in vocational rehabilitation.

The Social Welfare Council provides loans for persons with disabilities to start their own

businesses. These loans are granted for income-generating activities such as chalk production,

tailoring, animal husbandry, soap production, candle-making, retail shops, handicrafts,

bamboo work, carpet weaving, furniture and others.

【Policy/program title】 Ninth Five Year 【Implementation year】 1997-2002 【Description】

Persons with disabilities employers were to be provided with special facilities if needed.

Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR)


There are many community-based organizations working for the rehabilitation of person with

disabilities in Nepal. The Bhaktapur CBR program was the first program in the country to

launch the CBR concept in 1986. Many NGOs that have tried to incorporate the CBR concept

in their programs. Some are based on a medical model while others employ a wider approach.

The formation of the National CBR Network in 1998 has facilitated coordination among the

various organizations.

*See Annex 3. for the list of other programs of CBR

【Policy/program title】 Bhaktapur CBR program

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【Implementation year】 1986 【Description/Purpose】

1. Increase awareness of prevention and early detection of childhood disability 2. Provide equal opportunities to children with disabilities and help them achieve their full

potential for complete integration in the family and society. 3. Encourage and help community and organizations to implement CBR services. 4. Train CBR workers, volunteer and family members 5. Establish linkages between the CBR project and local health and education services and

enroll all children with disabilities of capable age in local schools. 6. Prepare low cost aids

Communication Tools


One sign language is used within Nepal with sign language classes held with the assistance of

the government, schools and churches. There is also a sign language interpreter qualification

examination14.

3-5. Experts and Workers on the Field of Disability

【Classification】【Role and activity】【Training and qualification system】

Special Education (Awareness training)

Training for primary school teachers Qualified by government

Special Education (Basic Training)

Training for those who have taken Awareness Training

Qualified by government

Special Education (Special Training)

Training for those with Awareness and Basic Training


Inclusive Schools Training

Training for teachers of inclusive schools


Special Education Program

Advanced Diploma course for supervisors and monitoring staff

Training Courses for Personnel for Persons with Disabilities15 Courses Organization Duratio

n Focus Participants

Basic CBR Course CBR Resource Center 75 days All types Field staff 14 Japanese Federation of the Deaf Asia no Shuwa (Sign Language in Asia) 1998 15 As there are hardly any formal institutions that provide training in the support of Persons with Disabilities, the initiatives of non-governmental organizations have been commendable

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CBR Orientation CBR Resource Center 15 days All types Volunteers Disability Specific CBR Resource Center 7 days Specific disability Field staff Basic Training on Rehabilitation

HRDC 9 weeks Physical Field staff

Physio-technician HRDC 3 months

Physical Field staff

Basic Training on Intellectual Disability

Association for the Welfare of Mentally Retarded (AWMR)

45 days Intellectual disability

Teachers

Advanced Training on Intellectual Disability

AWMR 2 weeks Intellectual disability

Teachers

Refresher AWMR 2 weeks Intellectual disability

Teachers

Basic CBR Training

Nepal Disabled Association (NDA)

10 days All types Teachers

Training on Rehabilitation of Visual Impairment

National Association for the Welfare of the Blind (NAWB)

6 weeks Visually Impaired Teachers

Teachers Training on Hearing Impairment

WSHI (Welfare Society for Hearing Impairment (WSHI)

6 months

Hearing Impaired Teachers

Sign Language Training

WSHI and National Association of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing

4 months

Communication Open

Special Training for Teachers

WSHI 1 month Hearing Impaired Teachers

Refresher Training WSHI 1-2 weeks

Hearing Impaired Teachers

Basic CBR Training

Community Based Rehabilitation Service

1 month Physical Field staff

Physiotherapy Self-help Group for Cerebral Palsy (SGCP) Center

3 months

Cerebral Palsy Field staff

Speech Therapy SGCP Center 3 months

Cerebral Palsy Field staff

Physio-technician INF (formal title unknown)

2 years Orthopedic, neurology and respiratory

Source: HRDC, Banepa.

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4. Disability-related organizations and Activities

4-1. Activities by Disability-related Organizations16

＊See Annex 1. for the list of organizations and detailed activities

The National Federation of the Disabled of Nepal, which is a federation of various Person

with Disabilities organizations, was established in 1993 and functions as a coordinating and

advocacy agency.

The Nepal Disabled Association (NDA) which has its roots in Nepal’s first Person with

Disabilities organization, is involved in rehabilitation including CBR, training and studies on

disabilities. The National Association for the Welfare of the Blind (NAWB) supports CBR and

integrated schools. Other Person with Disabilities organizations are the National Association

of the Blind (NAB), the National Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (NADH), the

Association for the Welfare of the Mentally Retarded (AWMR). There are also approximately

60 organizations that are active in various fields related to disability.

4-2. Cooperation Projects on Disability Organized by International Donors

and Others

＊See Annex 5. for the list of aid projects

Assistance by Multilateral/Bilateral Organizations and International NGOs

In Nepal, many international organizations have assisted persons with disabilities and persons

with disabilities organizations. DANIDA is one of the largest bilateral agencies working to

promote education for persons with disabilities.

Currently, the World Bank has funded the second phases of basic and primary education

projects, partnering with other agencies to provide education opportunities to children grades

1–5, mainly through the provision of primary schooling. This project will support inclusive

primary education for children with disabilities. UNICEF supported the national Situation

Analysis on Disability in Nepal survey and NGO capacity building in 1999.

16 Yukiko Nakanishi. Asia no Syogaisya (People with disabilities in Asia). Tokyo: Gendai Syokan. 1996.

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Assistance by Japan

The Tokyo Helen Keller Association (THKA) has assisted in the promotion of CBR in

conjunction with NAWB since 1989. Services provided include integrated education,

vocational training, micro-lending, the establishment of a CBR center in Bara District, and

activities for the prevention of disabilities17.

17 Yukiko Nakanishi. Asia no Syogaisya (People with disabilities in Asia). Tokyo: Gendai Syokan. 1996.

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5. References

This report is edited based on the main source which was drafted by a local consultant.

Main source:

New ERA. Country Profile Study on Persons with Disabilities. 2001.

Other references:

Japanese Federation of the Deaf Asia no Shuwa (Sign Language in Asia) 1998 Nakanishi, Yukiko. Asia no Syogaisya (People with disabilities in Asia). Tokyo: Gendai Syokan. 1996.

United Nations. Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons: mid-point-country

perspectives. New York: United Nations Publication, 1999.

United Nations. Production and Distribution of Assistive Devises for People with Disabilities.

[Electric Version] 1995. Retrieved February 25, 2002, from

http://www.dinf.org/doc/intl/z15/z15002p2/z1500201.htm

The World Bank. Nepal: Second Basic and Primary Education Project. Retrieved February 25,

2002, from http://www.worldbank.org/

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3. administration and policy on disability

Documents