The National Council this week deliberated on a series of recommendations presented by the Social and Cultural Affairs Committee aimed at improving the lives of persons with disabilities (PWDs). The Committee proposed 35 recommendations across eight areas, focusing on enhancing policy implementation, improving access to education and healthcare, raising public awareness, and ensuring nationwide accessibility.
These recommendations are timely, coming in the wake of the National Health Survey 2023, which reported a dramatic increase in the number of PWDs in Bhutan, with approximately 48,000 individuals identified, a significant rise from the 15,000 recorded in 2017.
Bhutan’s legal framework puts the recommendations in context. The Constitution of Bhutan mandates the State to provide security in the event of sickness and disability. The National Policy for Persons with Disabilities (NPPD) aims to improve access to essential services such as education, health, justice, and protection, emphasising empowerment and participation in political and socioeconomic development. Bhutan’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in October 2023 further reinforces the country’s commitment to protecting the rights of people with disabilities.
A key aspect of the committee’s recommendations is improving accessibility, both physical and virtual. Physical accessibility involves ensuring that public buildings, institutions, and transportation are equipped to accommodate individuals with disabilities. This includes installing ramps, elevators, and designated parking spaces, as well as ensuring that public transportation is accessible. Virtual accessibility, on the other hand, focuses on making websites, educational materials, and government information accessible to individuals with disabilities.
The proposal to bring in foreign caregivers to assist individuals with disabilities highlights a significant gap in the availability of local caregivers. This initiative, while necessary in the short term, should be complemented by training and empowering local caregivers to ensure sustainable support for PWDs in the long term. Increasing the number of caregivers is essential to providing personalised care and assistance, which can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.
In addition to these measures, the committee emphasised the need for inclusive education. The National Health Survey 2023 added cognitive disabilities, encompassing intellectual and learning disabilities such as ADHD, dyslexia, Down syndrome, mental illnesses, brain injuries, and dementia, to the spectrum of disabilities. The committee recommended prioritising investment in Special Educational Needs teachers, ensuring that educational institutions are equipped to support students with diverse needs. This includes building disabled-friendly infrastructure and training teachers to effectively support students with disabilities.
Economic security is another critical area for PWDs. Recommendations include housing allotments for PWDs, disability allowances, and reserving designated government positions for individuals with disabilities. These measures aim to provide economic stability and ensure that PWDs can participate fully in society.
These recommendations were made in light of challenges, such as limited awareness among stakeholders. To overcome these challenges, the committee proposed reviewing the NPPD to align it with the government’s efforts in the 13th Plan. This includes allocating a budget of Nu 1.1 million to support inclusive education programmes, teacher training, building disabled-friendly infrastructure, and training Paralympic athletes.
The recommendations reflect a holistic approach to improving the lives of persons with disabilities in Bhutan. The ultimate aim is to make Bhutan a truly GNH society where disabilities do not prevent individuals from realising their full potential.