Documentation for the Workshop /
Country Papers : India Sources of National Disability Data
Country: India
Introduction: Information on disability has been collected in India since long
through sample surveys and censuses. For conducting nationwide large-scale
socio-economic sample surveys on regular basis, Government of India set up National Sample
Survey (NSS) in 1950. The organization was renamed as National Sample Survey
Organisation (NSSO) in 1972. The Governing Council under the Chairmanship of a
non-official Expert provides guidance on technical matters for conducting such surveys by
the NSSO. The survey focuses various socio-economic aspects in different years. The survey
period of NSSO is identified as round and it varies from six months to one year.
As far as complete enumeration is concerned, the Office of Registrar General of India
conducts Population Censuses at an interval of ten years since 1881. Indian Population
Census has been providing some useful data on the physical infirmities from it’s
inception. The census questionnaire of 1872 called “House Register” included
questions on physically disabled like the blind, the deaf and the dumb. But due to
constraints in enumeration, the quality of data collected through the Population Censuses
was not satisfactory and thus the practice was discontinued after 1931. No attempt was,
therefore, made to collect information on disability through censuses of 1951, 1961 and
1971. Collection of certain important information on physically handicapped persons was
again taken up in 1981 census. Declaration of the year 1981 as the international year for
the disabled persons by the United Nations was also a reason for taking up the aspect of
disability in 1981 Population Census. The enumeration of disabled persons was again taken
up along with the Population Census of India conducted in 2001.
Surveys/ Censuses conducted on disability in India are furnished below in the
Questionnaire provided by the UN ESCAP.
Questionnaire on survey Sources of National Disability Data
| 1. |
Overview of Survey
|
| a. Title of the survey |
Survey of Disabled Persons was conducted by the NSSO in the
following rounds:
- 24th Round (July 69-June 70)
- 28th Round (October 73-June 74)
- 36th Round (July-December 1981)
- 47th Round (July-December 1991)
- 58th Round (July-December 2002)
|
| b. Date of latest data collection |
58th Round (July–December 2002), copy of the schedule
canvassed in the 58th round is given at the end. |
| c. Periodicity of survey |
About 4 to 7 years initially Presently at an interval of about 10
years |
| d. Contact person(s), Title, Office mail address, phone, fax,
email, etc. |
Dr. S Ray, Director General and Chief Executive Officer, NSSO, Ministry
of statistics & PI , S.P. Bhavan, New Delhi-110011, India.
E-Mail: sray@nic.in
Telefax : 91-11-2374
2026
|
| 2. |
Brief summary of survey
|
| a. Describe what information on
disability is collected |
Broad information collected are as follows:
-Locomotor
-Visual(Having light perception/ No light
perception)
-Hearing (Profound, severe, moderate)
-Speech (cannot speak, speaks
unintelligibly,
stammers, speaks with abnormal
voice, and others)
-Mental (information on lack of
sitting,
walking, hearing in childhood as
compared to other children)
- Age at onset of Disability
- Treatment taken for disability
- Type of aid/appliance
- Extent of physical disability
- Living arrangements for disabled.
- General Education
- Vocational Training, if any
- Activity Status of disabled persons
- Particulars of school enrolment of disabled persons (age 5-18 yrs.)
- reason for non enrolment/
discontinuation
- whether enrolled in ordinary school
/special school
- whether attended pre school
intervention programme |
| b. What uses are made of the data and who are the users? |
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India will be
the main user of the results of this survey for evolving strategies during 10th
Five year Plan (April 2002 to March 2007) for welfare of Disabled Persons. Institutes like
National Institute of Physically Handicapped and other National/ Regional level Bodies
also make use of the results of the survey for planning their Schemes for welfare of the
Disabled. It is worth to note that 3% of vacancies in Union Government are reserved for
Physically Handicapped persons. |
| c. Were users involved in deciding what information to collect? |
Governing council (GC) of NSSO is responsible for the preparation of the
questionnaire to be canvassed in the field. The GC normally constitutes sub-groups with
National Experts consisting of planners, eminent professors, academicians and other
important users including Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to formulate the
questionnaire, sampling design, tabulation plan etc. |
| d. What definition of disability was used? |
In NSS 58th round disability was defined as “A Person
with restrictions or lack of abilities to perform an activity in the manner or within the
range considered normal for a human being is treated as having disability. It excludes
illness /injury of recent origin (morbidity) resulting into temporary loss of ability to
see, hear, speak, or move”. The definitions of Mental, Visual, Hearing, Speech,
and Locomotor disability are given in Annexure 1. |
| e. Were data collected and compiled according to
international standards
or
national classifications and definitions? |
The Classification used in the Survey:
- Mental disability.
- Visual disability.
- Hearing disability
- Speech disability
- Locomotor disability
|
| 3. |
Scope of survey
|
| a. Describe the population covered in the survey |
Whole of the Country is covered through Scientific Sampling Design (Two
Stage Stratified Random Sampling) in order to arrive at National Estimates. The villages/
urban blocks/ house holds covered in the Survey are: First Stage Units: Villages –
4828, Urban Blocks- 3628
Second Stage Units: Households- 101472 |
| 4. |
Coverage and sampling
|
| a. Coverage of survey |
Through scientific sampling technique, reliable estimates of the disabled
persons according to the categories of disability are arrived. |
| b. Sample frame(s) |
Though essentially areal frame was used for the selection of First Stage
Units on the basis of concentration of population particularly in rural sector, complete
listing of households in the selected First Stage Unit was done and households with at
least one disabled person were identified to form the second stage stratum to improve the
reliability of the estimates. |
| 5. Are there other data sources which you use to benchmark your survey
results? |
Survey results of previous rounds of NSSO and other available data are
taken into account while preparing the report of the current survey. |
| 6. |
Response and non-response
|
| a. What was the response rate? |
Substitution method was used in case of non-response. In this method, in
case of non-response, household with similar characteristics is substituted. |
| b. Did you evaluate the non-response? |
Non-response is minimal in the present methodology used. |
| 7. |
Data collection
|
| a. Manner of collection |
National Sample Survey Organization has a total strength of around 5550.
Out of this total strength of NSSO, about 3330 persons are deployed in the preparation and
maintenance of frame, data collection, supervision, field scrutiny, etc. The data on
socio-economic surveys (including disability survey) are collected through ‘Face to
Face’ interviews by these well-trained and experienced investigators. |
| b. Type of respondent |
Head of household is generally the respondent. Disabled Persons are also
interviewed, wherever necessary. |
| c. Format of questions |
Pre – Coded/ structured |
| d. List the language used in the survey |
Hindi/English/ Local Regional Languages |
| 8. |
Measurement error
|
| a. Which special data collection procedures were undertaken to
reduce measurement error |
In order to minimize measurement errors , NSSO conducts pilot survey for
pre testing of questionnaire, organize intensive training of field investigators, prepare
detailed Instructions Manuals and coding system for the use in the survey. |
| 9. |
Highlights of the strengths and limitations of survey |
| a. Strengths |
NSS surveys are scientifically planned large-scale sample surveys with
probabilistic sample designs to enable to work out reliable estimates of requisite
parameters. |
| b. Limitations |
Detection of various disabilities following strict definitions at the
time of collection of information from the respondents by non medical persons (NSS
investigators though very experienced and trained) is a challenging task and respondents
also sometimes do not divulge the incidence of disability. |
| List published sources on disability statistics. |
NSS Reports on Disability surveys: Report No. 220:Tables
with notes on enquiry on physically handicapped persons (24th and 28th
Round)
Sarvekshana Issue No.8 : Prevalence of physical and mental
disability. (28th Round)
Report No. 305. Report on Survey of disabled persons (36th
round)
Report No. 337. Characteristics of disabled persons (36th
round)
Sarvekshana Issue No. 29: A Note on Study on Delayed Mental
Development. (36th round)
Report No. 391: A Report on mental development among Indian Children (47th
round)
Report No. 393:..Report on disabled persons. (47th round)
Sarvekshana. Issue No. 61: Report 391 & 393 (47th
round |
Questionnaire on Census Sources of National Disability Data
| 1. |
Overview of the Census
|
| a. Title of the Census |
Population Census of India |
| b. Date of latest data collection |
Indian Population Census, 2001 |
| c. Periodicity of Census |
Once in ten years but the data on disability was collected in 2001
Population Census after a gap of 20 years. |
- Contact person(s), Title, Office mail address, phone, fax, email, etc.
|
Registrar General of India,
Ministry of Home Affairs
2/A, Mansingh Road
New Delhi-110011
India
Phone:
91-11-23389278
|
| 2. |
Brief summary of Census
|
| a. Describe what information on
disability is collected |
Information collected during 1981 Population Census was on totally blind,
totally dumb and totally crippled. In 2001 Population Census data were collected on
five types of disabilities, namely, visual, hearing, speech, mental and movement
disability. |
| b. What uses are made of the data and
who are the users? |
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India uses
the results for evolving strategies for welfare of Disabled Persons. Various research and
survey organizations also use the result of the Population Census. |
- Were users involved in deciding what information to collect?
|
Yes, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and other users and
experts are involved in planning for the preparation of questionnaire for conducting the
Census. |
- What definition of disability was used?
|
The definitions used for Physically handicapped persons in 1981 Census
were as follows:
- The totally Blind are those who suffer from total absence of sight.
- The deaf are those in whom the sense of hearing is non- functional for ordinary purposes
of life. Generally a loss of hearing at 70 decibels or above at 500, 1000, 2000
frequencies will make residual hearing non-functional.
- The orthopaedically handicapped are those who have a physical defect or deformity, which
causes an undue interference with the normal functioning of the bones, muscles and joints.
The five types of disabilities identified for census 2001 were:
- In Seeing: A person who cannot see at all (has no perception of light) or has
blurred vision even with the help of spectacles will be treated as visually disabled. A
person with proper vision only in one eye will also be treated as visually disabled. A
person may have blurred vision and had no occasion to test whether his/her eye- sight
would improve by using spectacles. Such person would also be treated as visually disabled.
- In Speech: A person will be recorded as having speech disability if he/she is
dumb. A person whose speech is not understood by a listener of normal comprehension and
hearing will be considered having speech disability. A person who stammers but whose
speech is comprehensible will not be classified as having speech disability.
- In Hearing: A person who cannot hear at all or can hear only loud sound will be
considered as having hearing disability. Also a person who cannot hear through one ear but
the other is functioning normally is considered as having hearing disability.
- In Movement: A person who lacks limbs or is unable to use limbs normally, will be
considered having movement disability. Absence of a part of a limb like a finger or a toe
will not be considered as disability. However absence of all the fingers or toes or a
thumb will make a person disabled by movement. Following persons will also be treated as
having movement disability:
- If any part of the body is deformed,
- Who can not move himself /herself or
without the aid of another person or without the aid of stick etc,
- If he/she is unable to move or lift
or pick up any small article placed near him.
- A person not able to move normally
because of problems of joints like arthritis and has to invariably limp while moving.
Mental: A person who lacks comprehension
appropriate to his/her age will be considered as mentally disabled. This would not mean
that if a person is not able to comprehend his/her studies appropriate to his /her age and
is failing to qualify examination is mentally disabled. |
| e. Were data collected and compiled according to international
standards
or
national classifications and definitions? |
The Classifications used in the 2001 Census are:
- Mental disability
- Visual disability.
- Hearing disability
- Speech disability
- Disability in Movement
|
| 3. |
Scope of Census
|
- Describe the population in the Census
|
Whole of the Country is covered through household approach |
| 4. |
Coverage and sampling
|
| a. Coverage of survey |
Entire Country through household approach |
| b. Sample frame(s) |
All households |
| 5. Are there other data sources, which you use to benchmark your results?
|
Yes, available Survey Results are used to compare the results obtained
through Population Census. |
| 6. |
Response and non-response
|
| a. What was the response rate? |
Complete information for all households are attempted to collect through
persuasion. Also respondents are bound to furnish the required information under the
provision of Census Act. |
| b. Did you evaluate the non-response? |
Non-response is minimal. |
| 7. |
Data collection
|
| a. Manner of collection |
Indian Census is conducted through regular government employees spread
over the length and breath of the country who are given intensive training in canvassing
the questionnaire, the concepts and definitions involved, the instructions to fill the
questionnaire and various stages of operations. Office of the Registrar General of India
has a total strength of about 6400 specialized trained officers and staff deployed in the
network of it’s offices through the country. |
| b. Type of respondent |
Household member / disabled person |
| c. Format of questions |
Pre– Coded/ Structured |
| d. List the language used in the Census |
Hindi/English/ Local Regional Languages |
| 8. |
Measurement error
|
| a. Which special data collection procedures were undertaken to
reduce measurement error |
Intensive training, detailed instruction to fill up the questionnaire,
supervision of fieldwork, application of recent developments in computer science, etc. are
used for the reduction of measurement errors. |
| 9. |
Highlights of the strengths and limitations of survey |
| a. Strengths |
Indian Census Operation over the decades has gained success through
it’s experiences and improvements through scientific evaluation as its offices are
permanent establishments. |
| b. Limitations |
Detection of various disabilities following strict definitions at the
time of collection of information from the respondents by non medical persons is a
difficult job. |
| List published sources on disability statistics. |
Census Reports on Disability: Census of India, 1931,
Vol.I – India Part I Report
Census of India, 1981, Part VII – B – The Physically
Handicapped (Report and Tables)
Census of India, 2001 : Data on disability is under processing. |
Questionnaire on Administrative Sources of National Disability
Data
India does not have major administrative sources of disability information, which could
be used for statistical purposes.
See ANNEXURE I
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