Disability Program

Disability disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. World health surveys indicate a higher prevalence of disability in lower-income countries, particularly among the poorest households, women, children and the elderly. People with low income, who are out of work, or who have low educational qualifications are at increased risk of disability — and children from poorer households and ethnic minority groups face higher risk than other children.

Pakistan's census organization (PCO), in its 1998 census report, categorized disability into seven groups: crippled, insane, mentally retarded, multiple disability, blind, deaf, mute, and others.

Despite policy frameworks, stereotypes persist against this segment of society. Environmental factors impose real barriers on participation: policies and standards often don't account for the specific needs of persons with disabilities, and prejudice creates barriers to education, health and social participation. There is also a lack of accessible services and counseling support. Interventions should focus on community-based rehabilitation (CBR) programs, integrated across all aspects of life, to improve socio-economic outcomes for these groups.

Silverlining Disability Rehabilitation Program

The program began one year before the 2005 earthquake in Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Activities over the years have included:

• Distribution of free wheelchairs
• Providing free meals to disabled people in the Waggal Village
• Arranging funds for hospital support in Dhanda for people with various disabilities
• Awareness campaigns against polio disease in rural areas
• Workshops for disabled youth, including a two-day workshop in Khairpur (February 2015)
• Donation of an electronic bed
• IT conference and International Day of the Blind, 2017