There are no national statistics available on the number of disabled (including both physical and mental disabilities) in Nepal, however, estimates range from 2% up to 20%. What is known is that people with disabilities are one of the poorest and most marginalized groups in Nepal, with women and young girls with disability facing particularly high levels of discrimination and neglect. The disability movement in Nepal emerged during the 1990s and consists mostly of self-help organisations of people with disabilities, which have made great strides in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities in Nepal, culminating in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) signature in late 2007. Historically the limited services available have had a welfare orientation and have been confined to more accessible, urban areas; however services using a community rehabilitation approach are now being more widely promoted. These services, however, are almost entirely focussed on improving the physical well-being of persons with disabilities; to our knowledge no programs/services incorporate a psychosocial component.

TPO Nepal is currently exploring possibilities for extending psychosocial support services to persons with disabilities, in partnership with Terre des Hommes, the Hospital and Rehabilition Centre for Disabled Children (HRDC) and the Centre for Mental Health and Counselling (CMC) Nepal.