What affects the access to entitlements and development schemes among the PwDs? Empirical evidence from Andhra Pradesh
- Journal of Social and Economic Development
- 22(1), Jun, 2020: p.207-231
There are several entitlements and development schemes for the persons with disabilities (PwDs) implemented in India in the spheres of education, employment and livelihood assistance for improving their quality of life. But, what is the proportion of PwDs that could access these entitlements and development schemes, especially in rural areas, where a majority of them reside? Is there is a significant difference in levels of access among the PwDs by household and personal characteristics? What factors affect the access of the PwDs to entitlements and development schemes? What factors determine the awareness levels of PwDs? Whether the strategy of forming Self-help Groups (SHGs) for the disabled helped them in this process? Is there a significant difference in the access of PwDs to entitlements and development schemes in the project areas of the governmental and non-governmental agencies, which followed the strategy of forming SHGs for the disabled? This paper attempts to provide answers to these questions based on empirical evidence from Andhra Pradesh covering a sample of 240 households with PwDs in the operational areas of a government-sponsored project (Indira Kranthi Patham (IKP)/Velugu) and a non-government agency called Rural Development Trust. – Reproduced