D ifferently A bled · Part 3

needs and problems among adolescents include nutritional disorders (malnutrition as well as obesity), substance abuse, high risk sexual behaviour, stress, mental disorders, and injuries (including road traffic injuries, suicides, and different types of violence). Many of these are precursors of communicable and non-communicable diseases (including mental disorders), and injuries, which inflict high morbidity, mortality, disability, and economic burden on adolescents, their households, and health systems. Moreover, the addiction to internet, especially to social media, has been increasingly keeping them under great stress, leading them to undergo depression and self- harm. They need help and guidance to pass over this period smoothly. They need counseling and healthcare advice, as well as treatment. Health Needs of the Differently Abled You would have observed that the differently-abled children are often hidden in their homes. Usually this type of discrimination starts in the family. It exists at various levels such as, education centers, work places, and in healthcare facilities and so on. Due to the stigma associated with disabilities, the families also become the victims of discrimination. As a result, the differently-abled children face chronic ill health, socio-economic burden, and isolation. According to World Health Organisation, disability is an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. Disability is thus not just a health problem but is a complex phenomenon, reflecting the interaction between features of a person’s body and features of the society in which they live. The National Policy for Persons with Disabilities ( ) recognises that the persons with disabilities are valuable human resources for the country. It seeks to create an environment that provides equal opportunities, protection of their rights and full participation in society. The Agenda for Sustainable Development has also highlighted about the needs and issues of ‘Persons with disabilities’ and ‘Persons in vulnerable situation’. Therefore, taking care of physical, social and emotional well-being of such a population is a major challenge. Many policies and welfare schemes have been planned in the Do You Know? About . per cent of the total population of India is ‘disabled’. The highest number of disabled persons in India is from