• Disability ID cards divided into four categories will be colour-coded

Kathmandu, May 17

Kathmandu Metropolitan City has put into effect ‘Procedure for Distribution of Identification Card to Persons With Disabilities’ to ensure facilities to disabled persons living in the metropolis, as per the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2006.

According to a notice published in the local Gazette, objectives of this procedure are to identify Nepali citizens with various forms of disability living in the metropolis, establish their access to services, maintain records of disabled people and formulate plans to safeguard their rights and interests. It also aims to provide services, facilities and opportunities to differently-abled persons based on the nature and classification of their disability, as committed by the government in the CRPD. Nepal is a party to CRPD.

The procedure stipulates a nine-member coordination committee led by the deputy mayor of KMC to carry out coordination and monitoring of distribution of identity cards to disabled persons within the metropolis. The committee comprises a secondary school headmaster, a doctor, chief of metropolitan police, experts in the concerned area and a representative of disabled persons, as its members.

“KMC shall distribute four different categories of identity cards to disabled persons. A person with complete disability (‘A’ category), severe disability (‘B’ category), moderate disability (‘C’ category) and general disability (‘D’ category) will be entitled to red, blue, yellow and white cards respectively,” the procedure reads.

Social Development Department of KMC will be responsible for distribution of ID cards to eligible persons on recommendation of chairman and a doctor of the concerned ward.

Complete disability is a condition where one has difficulty in carrying out daily activities even with support from others.

In case of a severe disability, one fully relies on other person’s assistance to perform daily activities.

A person with moderate disability performs daily activities by him/herself with or without another’s help.

General disability is a situation where one can perform regular daily activities himself/herself without support.

A person with a disability may, with or without the help of his/her parent, guardian or caretaker, submit an application containing personal details, required documents and a copy of passport size photo to the concerned ward office to acquire an ID card.

“The ward office, concerned doctors and experts shall recommend the SDD to issue an ID card under specified category to the applicant upon an examination of his/her disability,” the procedure reads.

The ID card will have details of its holder written in Nepali and English language on its either side.

The card is distributed free of cost.