Baseline Information on Dalits with Disability in M-ward, Mumbai: Living Disability: Understanding the Experiences of the Dalit Disabled in Mumbai

ABSTRACT Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. ~ Albert Einstein This study aimed to understand the present status of Dalits People With disability in M-ward. The study was conducted among Dalits in a slum called Gautam Nagar, M-Ward, Mumbai. Sixty respondents were interviewed to understand the basic information and conditions of persons with disability living in the M-Ward. Further, six in-depth interviews were taken to explore and understand their issues and concerns more deeply. The data collection was done during the period of April and May 2011. More specifically, the objectives of the study were to find out the social indicators of the community as well as the PWDs to perform daily living activity and to assess the different types of disability and severity of the disability. Moreover the objective was also to find out the different government policies and schemes that have been implemented in this area and to look at whether Dalit people with disability are able to access the same. Furthermore the researcher has tried to understand the reasons or conditions which cause disability and make them more vulnerable.