The Patang project represents the soaring aspirations of children with intellectual and developmental disability from their own lives. It was conceptualised to create empirical evidence regarding the needs and aspirations of children with intellectual and developmental disability and their families and what could be done to make this possible.

Persons with intellectual and developmental disability require specialised services in order to create a level playing field. But they and their caregivers face barriers in getting the services they need. The report provides evidence on the extent to which these issues prevent access to services, the interplay between service access and social characteristics, and the strategies that caregivers use to cope in an environment of lack.

Amrit partnered with Amaltas Consulting Pvt Ltd, a research and consulting organisation with expertise in carrying out mixed methods studies among marginalised groups to carry out the study. Sigma Research and Consulting conducted the data collection.

One of the findings of the Patang survey was the prohibitive cost of the services and transportation for most caregivers, in particular, the poorest. The Patang Project found key barriers to use of these specialised services, leading to restriction in the use of services to only 1 or 2 of the services although there was a demand for more.

Key highlights from the study are:

• 99% of caregivers have to rely only on their own earnings – without financial support from the state or NGOs – to care for their young children.
• Nearly 70% of respondents cited finances as a crucial barrier to accessing services
• 4 out of 10 children with challenges between 6-18 years are out of school
• More than 60% people with challenges do not have a disability certificate

Reliable data on the barriers on service access is crucial for government and special care providers to increase the provision and accessibility of services, and to target the most marginalised for the inclusive development of persons with intellectual and developmental disability. The Patang report was released by Ms. Stuti Kacker, Chairperson, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, on 27 October 2017.