In Nepal, many people with disabilities have no or little awareness of their rights or knowledge that they are able to access services to improve their quality of life. A disability identity card can open up a new world for a person with a disability. Depending on the grade, it can provide entitlements to a monthly allowance, discounts on transportation, free study, tax-free business and no customs tax on goods imported for business. Even if a person knows of the services or is aware that they can get a disability identity card, obtaining a card can be out of reach for many, as it can require traveling by rough roads or walking to their district headquarters to apply. It can also be a lengthy process, taking up to four days.
family taking a person with disability on a cart to receive his disability card
In April, INF in Banke District facilitated the distribution of disability cards to people identified to qualify in Narainapur and Matehiya Village Development Committees [VDCs], where INF is working. Nepalgunj, the district headquarter, is 30 odd km from the VDCs but over three hours travel by vehicle. As well as providing identity cards, INF provided information to people with disabilities and their families of the benefits of having a card and encouraged the recipients to access available services. INF also used the opportunity to build relationships with the government line agencies for better services for these people.
The disability identity card distribution camp was a success, allowing those who were unable to go to Nepalgunj obtain a card efficiently in their own community. As a result of this success, the Disability Identity Card Distribution Committee and the VDC Secretary and other stakeholders requested INF to arrange such camps in other nearby VDCs.