Nepal is an altruistic society. The welfare of PWDs (People Living with Disabilities) is still considered as a concern only of the altruist individual. Families of PWDs are responsible for their living. There is no social security system to assist the individuals with disability. Whatever legal and social provisions have been made are based on the 'welfare approach' and view PWDs as an object of pity.

Some attempts were made to provide special services to PWDs in early 1960s. A school-based educational program was initiated for 10 blind students in 1964 at the Laboratory School, Kathmandu. Mr. Khagendra Bahadur Basnet, a person with impaired mobility, established a non-governmental organization called Nepal Disabled and Blind Association in 1969. Mr. Basnet is considered the pioneer of disability movement in Nepal. At about the same time another school for the hearing impaired students was also started. These were the initial activities in disability rights movement of Nepal. It is noteworthy that individuals with disability took the lead to start disability related programs and organizations in Nepal.

Nevertheless, other individuals without disability also supported them. The movement gained momentum during the International Year of the Disabled Person, 1981. The first comprehensive legislation concerning disability, 'The Disabled Persons (Protection and Welfare) Act'-1982 was enacted in 1982. By promulgating this act, the rights of individuals with disability were acknowledged by the state for the first time in Nepal. But even after 18 years of existence, people with disability are often excluded from the mainstream society and denied their human rights. The DPWA and other laws and regulations give certain rights and privileges to the disabled persons, but unfortunately most of them are not in practice still.

The dawn of democracy inspired the PWDs to be organized and raise their voice. The individuals with disability had also actively taken part in peoples' movement of 1990. Increased international contact and participation in different forums also created awareness and eagerness within the community. It created a favorable environment for the disability rights movement. During this decade several non-governmental organizations were organized. The self-help (BY) organizations came to the forefront. Recently, the government authorities have started to accept disability issues as a matter of rights. Obviously, this is an outstanding achievement and the credit goes primarily to the disability rights movement.