2.68 Crore Persons with Disabilities as per Census 2011
As per Section 2(i) of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, disability means-(i) blindness; (ii) low vision; (iii) leprosy-cured; (iv) hearing impairment; (v) loco motor disability;(vi) mental retardation; (vii) mental illness. The Government has introduced The Rights of Persons with Disability Bill, 2014 in the Rajya Sabha on 7.02.2014 which recognizes 19 specified disabilities based on an evolving and dynamic concept.
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014 mandates framing of guidelines by the Central Government for the purpose of assessing the extent of specified disability in a person.
As per Census 2011, there are about 2.68 crore persons with disabilities, out of which there are about 1.18 crore women with disabilities. The data relating to percentage of employment among women with disabilities is not maintained in the Ministry.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha here today.
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VBA/ASB