In the past, the lack of data on people with disabilities living in low- or middle-income countries (LMICs) has contributed to the invisibility of disability as a development priority. This is beginning to be addressed. While the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) did not specifically mention disability, it is increasingly being recognised that…

Rehabilitation services for visually impaired adults in India are described, both historically and currently. The paper examines the magnitude of the problem, vocational training and placement, services for newly blind persons and for blind/visually handicapped women, rural rehabilitation projects, information access, legislation, professional…

Fifty-two visually handicapped persons (mean age 48.8 years) were identified in 21 of 82 rural villages surveyed by trained local field workers in India. Assessment, rehabilitation planning, parent/trainer counseling and education, and training in such areas as daily living skills and orientation and mobility were provided as appropriate. (JW)

Seven visually impaired men in India were interviewed regarding their attitudes toward integration and the problems they were facing. Their Intelligence Quotients and levels of anxiety were also assessed. It was found that, for successful mainstreaming, the characteristics of individuals are as important as the social environments in which they…