Dalits with Disabilities: The Neglected Dimension of Social Exclusion

This working paper studies broader areas of Dalits and Disability in India and explores in-depth consequences of inter-relation between the two. It draws corollary between the two concepts that is physically challenged and caste-based disadvantage, discrimination, and deprivation of opportunities in different spheres of day to day life. The paper brings to light the fact how Dalit identity coupled with born disability or acquiring disability after birth means living not only with limitations, higher dependency, social stigma and deprivation of opportunities for self-development but more of a helpless acceptance of exclusion, dissuading essentially basic needs of life.