Status of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Pakistan

Around five million (2.6%) people in Pakistan live with some kind of disability, according to statistics from a 2012 national survey. This is based on a definition that consideres only deaf/mute, physical handicap, mental disability and visual impairment. The number of people who are impacted due to disability is six times more than this. Thus calling for attention from government and civil society to create enabling environment for them. For example access to education, vocational training, employment, social paticipation, treatment and prevention. The rate of disability seems to be higher is Sindh province and in rural areas of the country. The most common form of disability is being "cripple" which is followed by being blind or having multiple disabilities.

This paper aims to review policies related to disable people in Pakistan and how the policies are being implemented. In particular focus of the paper will be policies to improve access to job and education for persons with disability. For this paper a local university will be used as a case study. The methodology of the study will include stock taking of current status of rights of disables in the university, official policy, physical access on campus, facilitation in classroom etc. In addition a baseline of current number of disable student/staff/faculty will be part of the study.