The Economic Survey of Delhi 2007-08 takes a look at what the Capital offers to its special residents.

The estimated number of physically-challenged persons in Delhi was 1,02,427 as on October 1, 2002, which constitutes about 0.71per cent of projected population on the same day. Out of this 4,966 were in rural areas and 97,461 in urban areas.

Sex-wise breakup: Out of the total, 65,351 (63.80 per cent) were male and 37,076 (36.20 per cent) were female.

Out of the total, 12,970 (12.66 per cent) were mentally disabled, 7,308 (7.13 per cent) visually disabled, 5,326 (5.20 per cent) had communication problems, 70,026 (68.37 per cent) suffered from locomotor dysfunction and 6,797 (6.64 per cent) had multiple disabilities.

Education: Out of the total number of physically-challenged persons in Delhi (five years and above) 63.08 per cent were literate and 36.92 per cent were illiterate.

Education till the 10+2 level or above had been completed by 9.84 per cent, 7.63 per cent were educated up to the secondary level, 13.21 per cent had cleared middle level and 32.40 per cent had attained the primary level of education.

Extent of disability: 58.62 per cent of the physically-challenged persons could take care of themselves without any aid or appliance, 18.05 per cent could do so with aid or appliance and 19.08 per cent cannot take care of themselves on their own.

In the workforce: 71.40 per cent of the special population was not a part of the labour force in Delhi.

The above findings are taken into consideration by respective departments while drawing up special schemes for the

physically-challenged groups.

Education and training: The Department of Social Welfare runs four schools for the auditorily challenged with 976 students, three training-cum-production centres and two sheltered workshops for the physically-challenged, one hostel for college-going visually-challenged male students and a school for the visually-challenged with 113 students. There is also one school for mentally-challenged children with 682 students.

Apart from providing free education to the physically-challenged, the Delhi Government also provides stipends and scholarships ranging from Rs 125 to Rs 500 per month to all categories of the disabled, depending upon the level of the course.