Almost two per cent of population have a disability

A total of 315 persons with disability were registering under part 1 of the unemployment register in October.

Releasing data to mark the International Day of Disabled Persons, yesterday, the National Statistics Office explained that 78.1 per cent of people with disability officially looking for a job were men and almost 22 per cent were women.

Official statistics on disability play an important role in that they could serve as indicators of the level of equality of opportunity attained at a national level, the NSO said.

It said that as part of its social statistics programme, it compiled an annual report on social welfare-oriented non-governmental organisations. The study for 2002 shows that a total of 4,270 persons benefited from services provided by NGOs which are targeted towards disabled persons and 3,523 individuals were recorded as members of such organisations.

Furthermore, the National Commission Persons with Disability maintained a National Register of Persons with Disability. There were 7,610 who participated in the National Disability Survey in 2003.

The figure of 7,610 implies that 1.9 per cent of the total population (as on December 31, 2003) have a disability.

A sizeable number of disabled persons - 2,520 - responded that they do not use any means of transport at all. Apart from these, the highest number responded that they make use of a family vehicle. Fewer than 700 disabled persons said they use public transport.

The most popular activities frequented by respondents appeared to be religious ones, closely followed by activities for disabled persons.

The number of contributory beneficiaries who received pensions in respect of invalidity in 2003 stood at 16,739. This figure rose by 5,050 from 1999. Also in 2003, 2,848 non-contributory beneficiaries received benefits in respect of disability.

In 2003 a total of 247 persons with disabilities attended special schools. By comparison, 1,232 persons with disabilities were integrated in mainstream kindergarten, primary and secondary schools in the same year. In the year 2000, 24.8 per cent of all disabled persons receiving an education did so through special schools. This figure dropped to 16.7 per cent in 2003, the NSO said.

The International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1992 with the aim of promoting an understanding of disability issues and mobilising support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

The motto this year was Nothing About Us Without Us which focuses on the importance of active and full involvement of persons with disabilities in the planning of strategies and policies that affect their lives.