CONCEPT AND EXTENT OF DISABILITY IN INDIA

1. Definition : Disability

In India, the broad definitions of different categories of disabilities have been adopted in the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 as well as under the Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992.

1.1 “Person with Disability” means a person suffering from not less than forty percent of any disability certified by a medical authority.

1.2 Blindness refers to a condition where a person suffers from any of the following conditions ,namely:

Total absence of sight; or
Visual acuity not exceeding 6/60 or 20/200 (Snellen) in the better eye even with correction lenses; or
Limitation of the field of vision subtending an angle of 20 degree or worse. For deciding the blindness, the visual acuity as well as field of vision has been considered.

1.3 “Person with Low vision” means a person with impairment of visual functioning even after treatment or standard refractive correction but who uses or is potentially capable of using vision for the planning or execution of a task with appropriates assistive device.

This definition is incomplete as it inadvertently omits quantification of the acuity as well as the field of vision as is done in the case of the WHO definition. It is desirable to modify this definition and the following quantification should be added: “Low vision are those who suffer visual acuity between 20/200 to 70/200 (snellen) or 6/18 to 6/60 in the better eye after the best possible correction or a Field of Vision between 20 to 30 degree.”

The WHO working definition of Low Vision (WHO, 1992) is as follows: “A Person with low vision is one who has impairment of visual functioning even after treatment, and/or standard refractive correction, and has a visual acuity of less than 6/18 to light perception or a visual field of less than 10 degrees from the point of fixation, but who uses, or is potentially able to use, vision for the planning and/or execution of a task.” The points emphasized are that there is significantly reduced vision, visual performance is affected but that there still is vision that can be used. This last point is very important: if there is usable vision, training to use that vision might be possible. In addition this person is not labeled blind.

Common Types of Low Vision

Loss of Central Vision – The loss of central vision creates a blur or blind spot, but side (peripheral) vision remains intact. This makes it difficult to read, recognize faces, and distinguish most details in the distance. Mobility, however, is usually unaffected because side vision remains intact.

Loss of Peripheral (Side) Vision – Loss of peripheral vision is typified by an inability to distinguish anything to one side or both sides, or anything directly above and/or below eye level. Central vision remains, however, making it possible to see directly ahead. Typically, loss of peripheral vision may affect mobility and if severe, can slow reading speed as a result of seeing only a few words at a time. This is sometimes referred to as "tunnel vision."

Blurred Vision – Blurred vision causes both near and far to appear to be out of focus, even with the best conventional spectacle correction possible. Generalized Haze – Generalized haze causes the sensation of a film or glare that may extend over the entire viewing field.

Extreme Light Sensitivity – Extreme light sensitivity exists when standard levels of illumination overwhelm the visual system, producing a washed out image and/or glare disability. People with extreme light sensitivity may actually suffer pain or discomfort from relatively normal levels of illumination.

Night Blindness – Night blindness results in inability to see outside at night under starlight or moonlight, or in dimly lighted interior areas such as movie theaters or restaurants.

There are many different conditions that can cause low vision, and each condition affects sight in a different way. Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, Cataracts, Glaucoma, Albinism, Retinitis pigmentosa.

Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities) Act, 1995