As per the sample survey conducted in Nepal by WHO in 1980 with an eye to the International Year of Disabled Persons (IYDP), 1981, the population of the Blind is estimated 0.84% of the total population of the country. Total population of the country is 24.8 million.

Mostly the population are affected by blindness with the consequences of cataract and its sequel, Glaucoma, Xerophthalmia, vitamin - A deficiency, ocular infections and poor victims of congenital diseases. The majority of the BVI people live in far- flung areas in miserable conditions having despondency, depression and frustration in the absence of opportunities. In fact, BVI people have really been facing numerous problems for their livelihood. And they are lacking self-confidence, a strong unified voice, and personal health care and leadership skill. As being a developing country of the world, blindness in Nepal is not only a health problem but also a social and economic problem. There is a general feeling among people about blindness being the punishment of God, due to ignorance and superstition and lack of information about its pathology. Usually the blind is regarded as a helpless and unproductive human resource. Attention to the needs of the BVI persons has never been a national priority in Nepal .The blind has always been neglected in development aspect. So very few are able to get facilities. The following data visualizes the situation:

The number of BVI People: 200000 (approximately 1% of the total population)

Number of educated BVI persons having SLC passed : 210

Number of employed BVI : 129

Number of school admitted children : 1000

This data indicates that much more attention is needed towards the amelioration of the BVI persons in the country.

Education ::.

Education for the visually impaired children was started in Nepal in 1964 as an integrated special education in Kathmandu. Altogether 1000 visual impaired students in schools are receiving education and 185 students have passed School Living Certificate (S.L.C), and 35 completed graduate level academic programme and 7 BVI persons completed Post graduation to date. The data also shows that 50 blind females completed secondary level education and 11 Graduate levels only.

Recent academic programme indicates that an average of 20 -25 blind complete their secondary level education every year. Due to lack of hostels and scholarships blind does not get the opportunity for further college education. Most of the colleges for higher studies are located at the Kathmandu valley with limited Hostel facilities. These facilities are very far from most of the BVI people for higher studies, and they are compelled to stay at the rented room where the accessibility of the blind is not at all easier from the financial, security and mobility point of view.

Employment ::.

As mentioned above 129 BVI people only out of 200000 are employed at the different sectors: teaching, factory workers, musicians and office administrators, which come to 0.00683% out of 1800000 employees in the country.