Paralympic fencer Vibhas Sen and Jhatkaa.org advocate for disability statistics in national health surveys

New Delhi : Paralympic fencer and disability rights advocate Vibhas Sen has teamed up with Jhatkaa.org, a prominent social justice advocacy group, to tackle the problems associated with collecting insufficient data on people with disabilities. They have joined forces to demand that the next National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6) be expanded to include questions on people with disabilities.

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act was passed in 2016, however there are still major data gaps when it comes to disabled people. Given the urgency of the situation, Sen argues that closing the information gap is a top priority.

The allocation of resources for disability-related welfare programmes and projects relies heavily on the collecting of correct data. Their day-to-day lives are profoundly affected by the lack of resources, which prevents them from getting the help they need and from fully participating in society.

Equal access to public facilities and places may be guaranteed for individuals with disabilities if we improve data collecting, conduct thorough research, and disseminate our findings effectively. The collecting of data may also aid in the fight against prejudice and misunderstanding, the filling of service gaps, and the assessment of the effectiveness of policies and initiatives for improving the lives of persons with disabilities. The Senate’s dedication to ensuring the rights of individuals with disabilities is reflected in these measures, the senator stated.

Unfortunately, the next NFHS-6 survey, which is set to begin in a month, will not include any questions pertaining to people with disabilities. A remark from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that “disability data won’t change fast” just adds to the problem. A restricted definition of disability is reinforced, and the critical need to address this problem is weakened, by this kind of exclusion.

Sen has joined forces with Jhatkaa.org to voice his dismay at this exclusion and against the normalisation of a narrow understanding of disability. Together, they’re requesting that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare include questions on people’s impairments in the survey, and that those infirmities be comprehensive.

Sen and Jhatkaa.org believe in equality for all and are confident that by uniting the voices of compassionate citizens, they can bring about meaningful change. In order to amplify their demands and ensure they are heard; they urge citizens to show their support by signing the petition online https://bit.ly/3pjT2f9

For more information Kindly visit the website https://jhatkaa.org/