Progress made in disability inclusion

By Lalit Basel,Surkhet, Dec. 4: Karnali Province has witnessed a significant improvement in disability inclusion in recent years, driven by the efforts of the National Federation of the Disabled, Nepal (NFDN), based in the provincial capital, Surkhet.

These improvements range from the development of disability-friendly infrastructure to progress in policy formulation.

According to NFDN Karnali Province Chairperson Bishnu Prasad Sharma, the Federation succeeded in making the Karnali Provincial Stadium, one of the province’s pride projects, disability-friendly. 

Sharma said that during the stadium construction, they realised it lacked inclusive features, prompting coordination with the Provincial Sports Committee to ensure accessibility for differently-abled people. 

As a result, the stadium now has facilities accommodating at least 30 persons with disabilities, including accessible seating areas, movement-friendly spaces and disability-friendly toilets. 

In addition, a Provincial Disability Coordination Committee has been formed. Sharma said this committee has been instrumental in drafting disability-inclusive policies, which have already been submitted to the provincial government. 

Social audits of various structures have also been carried out to assess accessibility. 

He further informed that the Provincial Public Service Commission has committed to including at least two disability-related questions in its examination papers, a step he described as a positive improvement.

Despite these advances, Sharma stated that much remains to be done. 

Karnali Province has 3.14 per cent population with disabilities, yet many physical infrastructures and communication services are still not accessible. 

He said persons with complete physical impairments, intellectual disabilities, autism, haemophilia and similar conditions still face challenges in accessing essential education and health services provided by the state.

Stakeholders have urged several key actions in the coming days, including formulating disability-related provincial and local policies, ensuring disability issues are integrated into all-inclusive development activities and establishing provincial and local disability study and empowerment centres. 

Similarly, they also asked to introduce special empowerment programmes through the Provincial Planning Commission and implementing a policy to deploy at least one psychosocial counsellor in every school and municipality.