NGO sensitises census enumerators on disability issue

NEW DELHI - In an effort to sensitise enumerators on the disability issue so that they ask the newly-included question in this regard “responsibly” and record the answer “faithfully”, an NGO here held a consultation with enumerators of the country’s north zone Saturday.

The consultation, organised by the National Centre for Promotion of Employment of Disabled People (NCPEDP), saw the participation of around 100 census enumerators from the north zone states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.

“Census 2011 is going to be a significant achievement for the disabled population in the country, as it will be the first time ever since Independence, that the census will comprehensively cover all types of disabilities,” a statement said.

“Therefore it is important that the enumerators are trained and sensitised to ask the question on disability responsibly, and record the answers faithfully,” it added.

Besides sensitising enumerators, the NGO members said that it is also important to spread awareness among the disabled people and their families so that they get themselves enumerated and not feel stigmatised.

“This is extremely important because if there is no authentic data on the percentage of population living with disability, resource allocation for the development programmes of the disabled population will not be proportional,” the statement said.

The first phase of the census was conducted last year between May and June. The second phase will be conducted between February and March this year.