Magnitude of Disability in India As per National Sample Survey Organization's (NSSO) Survey 2002, the number of disabled persons

in the country is 18.49 million and they formed about 1.8% of the total estimated population. The census 2001 indicates that 2.2% of the total population is affected by disability. As per NSSO: About 8.4% and 6.1% of the total estimated households in rural and urban India, respectively reported to have at least one disabled person. About 10.63% of the disabled persons suffered from more than one type of disabilities. The prevalence of disability was 1.85% among rural population and 1.50% among urban population. About 55% of the disabled in India were illiterate and about 9% completed 'secondary and above' level of education. These statistics highlight the need for dissemination of information on prevention of diseases causing disability, early identification, rehabilitation, education and economic independence of persons with disabilities.