2. Statistical Data on Disability Profile
During the 1981 census, the Technical Advisory Committee observed that the census was not an appropriate medium to canvass the question of disability. It was considered that the definitions of disabilities were too complex to beunderstood by the respondents and enumerators. However, an attempt was made to collect data whereby three categories of disabilities were collected. The census inquiry was severely limited to total definitions of disability and the results were found to be completely unsatisfactory.
The Technical Advisory Committee of the 2001 census expressed apprehension about inclusion of disability related questions in the 2001 census due to prior experiences in 1981 along with the following:
- Comparability of Census data with other surveys, including the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO), which would create confusion
- Sensitivity is major constraint
- Census Enumerators are technically unqualified to measure the extent/degree of disability
- This questions may prove to be counter productive
- Difficulty in evolving simple and comprehensible definition of disability
- Difficulty in making respondent fully conversant about the nuances of the concept of disability
- Attitude of the public to withhold such information as certain types of disabilities carry social stigma
- Difficulty in distinguishing total disability with partialdisability
However, due to pressure from various NGO groups along withgovernmental agencies, including The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment,comprehensive questions on disability issues were included in the 2001 census. Measures were taken to help ensure that the collection of data on disability issues would be effective, including instructions for Enumerators, training and publicity. The results of disability issues included in the 2001 census were not readily available.
In 1991, the NSSO, through the Department of Statistics, Ministry of Planning and Program Implementation conducted a sample survey of literacy and disability related questions, published in Sarvekshana in the 47th round. Figures 8 − 12 highlight some of the findings:
Disability-Specific 1991
Source: JICA Country Profile on Disability, The Republic of India, 2002, original source: SARVEKSHANA, 47th Round NSSO
The sample survey included over 38,000 participants of PWDs in both urban and rural areas. Males comprised almost 59% of the survey while most of the survey was conducted in rural areas at 78%. Table 8 highlights the results:
| Sex | Urban | % | Rural | % | Total | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 4,950 |
21.8 |
17,737 |
78.2 |
22,687 |
58.5 |
| Female | 3,473 |
21.6 |
12,628 |
78.4 |
16,101 |
41.5 |
| Total |
8,423 |
21.7 |
30,365 |
78.3 |
38,788 |
100.0 |
Original source:SARVEKSHANA, 47th Round, NSSO
Causes of Visual Disability 1991 Sample Survey
Source: JICA Country Profile on Disability, The Republic of India, 2002, original
Source: SARVEKSHANA, 47th Round NSSO (Per 1,000 distribution)
Causes of speech Disability 1991 Sample Survey
Source: JICA Country Profile on Disability, The Republic of India, 2002, original
Source: SARVEKSHANA, 47th Round NSSO (Per 1,000 distribution of persons of age 5 years and above)
Causes of Locomotor Disability 1991 Sample Survey
Source: JICA Country Profile on Disability, The Republic of India, 2002, original
Source: SARVEKSHANA, 47th Round NSSO (Per 1,000 distribution)
Causes of Hearing Disability 1991 Sample Survey
Source: JICA Country Profile on Disability, The Republic of India, 2002, original
Source: SARVEKSHANA, 47th Round NSSO (Per 1,000 distribution )
