Status of the blind in Nepal
As per the sample survey conducted in
Nepal by National Blindness
Survey in 1980 in an eye to the
International Year of Disabled
Persons (IYDP), 1981, the
population of the Blind was
estimated 0.84% of the total
population of the country. That
was the first survey of persons
with disabilities in Nepal and
according to the WHO/PBL/93.27
and WHO/PBL/00.77 the number of
low vision persons is estimated
even more. If we considered the
above data, the number of the
BPS persons seemed to be covered
more than 2% of the total
population. The household survey
conducted by NAB/NABP in its
Community Based Rehabilitation
project lunched area Chitwan
district showed 1.24% i.e. 5,223
population in the district.
Likewise, in Dang district 1.12%
I.e. 507
3
population. This figure includes
both Blind and low vision.
Mostly the blindness is
occurred due to cataract and its
sequel, Glaucoma, Xerophthalmia,
vitamin - A deficiency, ocular
infections and poor victims of
congenital diseases. The
majority of the Blind and
Partially Sighted (BPS) Persons
live in far- flung areas in
miserable conditions having
despondency, depression and
frustration in the absence of
opportunities. In fact, the
Blind and Partially Sighted
(BPS) persons have really been
facing numerous problems for
their livelihood. And they are
lacking self-confidence, a
strong unified voice, and
personal health care and
leadership skill. As being a
developing country of the world,
blindness in Nepal is not only a
health problem but also a social
and economic problem. There is a
general feeling among people;
Blindness is punishment of the
God due to ignorance and
superstition and lack of
information about its pathology.
Usually the blind is regarded as
a helpless and unproductive
human. Attention to the needs of
the BPS persons has never been a
national priority in Nepal .The
blind has always been neglected
in all aspect of development. So
very few are able to get
facilities. The following data
visualizes the situation:
Status of the Blind in different sector:
· Total No. of Blind People : Approximately 200,000
Education :
· Master level : 13 (Female:3)
· Bachelor : 54 (Female: 17)
· SLC : 385 (Female: 128)
Employment :
· Teacher : 98 (Female: 23)
· Receptionist : 6 (Female: 5)
· Music : 10
· Proof Reader : 2 (Female)
· Factory workers : 20 (Female: 3)
· News anchor on Nepal 1 TV : 1
· NGO/INGO staffs : 7
Blind Scientist in Nepal
Dear Readers,
We have a very good news to share with all of you. Many of us might not have heard about the blind scientist. This could be more interesting and encouraging to those groups. Mr. Ramesh Dahal, general member at NAB, inhabitant of Gotathar Kathmandu has become a first blind scientist in Nepal for Inventing more than ten areas of technology. RONAST (Royal Nepal Academy of Science and technology) has awarded with the titled " Metal Technology Award" to Mr. Dahal for inventing Traffic Sound Signal for the blind. The awards includes Rs. 25000 with the certificate. This awards is being distributed every two year as the decision taken by the RONAST. We NAB would like to congratulate for his great achievement . We also would like to thank to RONAST for their admirable evaluation of work. We wish him for his continuous success.