Disability Empowerment in Kerala: A Status Analysis and Vision for the Future

The opportunity to live and take part in community life is a basic human right, and persons with disabilities (PwD) often need additional care and support to achieve this. This becomes a real challenge in a developing society. The goal of this research is to create a vision for the empowerment of people with disabilities and to pave the way for their independent living in a developing society. The study used a mixed design method. Analyzing data from various government reports resulted in a status analysis of disability in the state of Kerala, India. The study found that the gaps identified in the disability sector in Kerala were primarily in the areas of the availability of sustainable model programs, innovations, research, education, skill development, and employment coupled with an inadequate ecosystem for the implementation of projects and schemes. A qualitative study design was adopted. The participants were selected using the expert analysis technique of purposeful sampling and data was collected using an interview guide. The interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis and are presented in a descriptive format. Despite the fact that the data in several government agencies are incomplete, it was encouraging to learn that several schemes to assist people with disabilities are being implemented. Local governments were responsive to disability even during disasters such as floods and the COVID-19 pandemic, but more planned approaches should be spearheaded. The vision for the future is targeted at achieving, among other goals, independent living for PwD.