Demand for Government Provision of Personal Caregivers for Hearing and Visually Impaired Individuals

Guardians of hearing and visually impaired individuals have urged the government to arrange for personal caregivers for persons with complete and total disabilities at the governmental level. Kathmandu, 14 Ashad. On the occasion of the second International Hearing and Visually Impaired Day, the Deaf-Visually Impaired Guardians Society, Nepal Blind Association, National Deaf Federation, Nepal Disabled Women Association, and Disabled Women Federation Nepal voiced these demands during a program held in Kathmandu on Saturday.

Jaljala Rai from Khotang, along with society president Lakpa Nuru Sherpa, shared their experiences of being compelled to provide round-the-clock care for their hearing and visually impaired children. They emphasized the need for government support to assist families in such circumstances. The event also featured a rally around Rani Pokhari, during which participants called for the protection of the human rights of persons with disabilities, the formulation of necessary policies, and their effective implementation.

National Assembly member Padam Pariyar expressed a commitment to initiate efforts to legally institutionalize personal assistance services through the amendment of the Disability Act. House of Representatives member Prem Bayak noted that awareness regarding the identification and rights of hearing and visually impaired persons has not yet sufficiently reached society. According to the 2078 census, there are 10,187 individuals with hearing and visual impairments in Nepal. However, the Deaf-Visually Impaired Guardians Society reported that currently only approximately 200 individuals are in contact with their organization.