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~ Over 75% of persons with disabilities are dealing with emotional challenges while 64% facing severe financial problems - Survey "VAN" (Delhi Bureau) :: Outbreak of COVID-19 and restrictions due to lockdown have caused massive disruption in lives of persons with disabilities. With the objective to find out the “Impact of COVID-19 and Lockdown on Persons with Disabilities in India”, a nation-wide survey was conducted between 18 July 2020 and 27 July 2020 by EVARA Foundation, Dashamlav YouTube Channel and WeCapable.com. More than 2000 persons with disabilities (PwD) participated in the survey from all over the country. The survey report was released on 11th August 2020 in New Delhi. The study reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions have severely affected the daily lives and psychological state of the PwD. Nearly 75% of PwD are facing emotional challenges ranging from anxiety to depression and suicidal thoughts. Another data in this regard reveals that nearly 43.6% of the total respondents of the present survey are not sharing their problems or emotional state with anyone. It was found that the pandemic and lockdown have intensified the financial problems as nearly 64% of total respondents are facing financial issues. The situation is alarming as nearly 60% of the total respondents were found to have zero income in these trying times. It is pertinent to understand that these responses are received from a sample set wherein 64.4% of respondents have earned a graduate degree and above. A large number of unemployed PwD depends on the disability pension they get from the state governments. This meager amount of a few hundred rupees serves as the only source of income for a large number of PwD. Unfortunately, the pandemic has caused severe disruption in the disbursement of disability pension. This disruption has also badly affected those whose life depends on the pension amount. The survey report has accordingly recommended that the State governments should immediately ensure that the pension amount reaches the PwD on time. Employment of PwD has always been a key issue in India. Pandemic and lockdown have further aggravated this problem as many PwD either lost their jobs or incurring a loss in business. The survey also reveals that a large number of job-seeking PwD were shattered because of the cancellation/postponement of the exams/interviews. A significant number of respondents have said that they are not getting basic necessities like food/shelter/medicine during these times. The comments which were received along with the questionnaire responses indicate that person with disabilities in smaller cities and rural areas are facing severe problems in ensuring the most fundamental requirements for sustaining their lives. Accordingly, the present survey report recommends that the State Disability Commissioners should take cognizance and make efforts at the panchayat level to identify PwD who are facing problems related to basic needs like food/shelter/medicines The survey report also recommends the state government to take appropriate measures for ensuring psychological counseling of the needy PwD as the study shows a worryingly high number of PwD are facing psychological issues. "This study tells us the real picture of the state of persons with disabilities in India. The authorities have a lot to do in order to ensure that PwD in India get their rights as enshrined in the RPWD Act 2016 and other government schemes. COVID-19 and lockdown have worsened the already very difficult situation of PwD”, said Mr. Lalit Kumar, Chairman of EVARA Foundation and founder of Dashamlav YouTube channel.
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