Kathmandu: Persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Nepal have been unable to exercise their legal capacity, as highlighted in a recent study. A report titled ‘Legal Capacity of Lowly Represented PWDs and Decision Making with Support Persons’, released by the National Mental Health Self-Help Organisation, KOSHISH, and the National Federation of Disabled, revealed that PWDs in Nepal are deprived of exercising the legal power that other citizens enjoy.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the report emphasized the challenges faced by PWDs in utilizing their legal rights. Executive Director of KOSHISH, Matrika Prasad Devkota, pointed out that these individuals encounter various problems due to the absence of appropriate legal arrangements. The report highlighted that 89% of PWDs surveyed indicated that service providers failed to inform them about decisions related to legal capacity and assistance.
The study, conducted with two PWDs from each of 24 districts across seven provinces, found that 66% of respondents believed there should be no barriers for individuals with intellectual, hearing, and visual impairments, as well as autism-related disabilities, in exercising their legal capacity. However, limited communication materials hindered effective participation of PWDs, as noted by researcher Mukunda Hari Dahal.
Furthermore, the study uncovered a lack of legal knowledge and awareness among service providers, parents, family members, and PWDs themselves, complicating efforts to improve the situation and ensure equal legal rights for persons with disabilities in Nepal.