Facts on Intellectual Disability


Children and adults with low intellectual capacity are called intellectually disabled or mentally retarded. The persons with intellectual disability may have other associated disability including cerebral palsy, autism, Down's syndrome or behavioral disability. They have low functional capabilities and therefore, fail to adjust themselves with the society and most of them are unable to earn their livelihood. This group of people is dependent on others and normally ignored by the people of the society. Intellectual disability is caused by different health hazards and intellectual disability cannot be cured or prevented totally. According to WHO’s estimate 3% of total population is intellectually disabled and according to this estimate about 4.2 million are intellectually disabled in Bangladesh. Prevalence of disability in Bangladesh has been shown in a recent study as follows:

Source: Disability In Bangladesh, An Appraisal; Study by Handicap International and NFOWD, March 2006

• The intellectual disability creates different problems for the affected person himself/herself and some problems for the family. It prevails in all communities- rich or poor, urban or rural. It is a lifelong condition. The affected person shows lower capacity in different areas of life-skills including personal care, academic achievement, decision-making and social interaction. They need to be protected and some concession to be given to them in every sphere of life. But they do not have easy access to all spheres of life or social institutions like schools or workplaces; because these institutions have not been designed for accommodating such low functioning persons. Due to their inability to comply with the demand of the society, the persons with intellectual disabilities are neglected, to say more strictly that the issues of persons with intellectual disabilities are overlooked.

• The whole responsibility relating to intellectually disabled persons remained with the affected persons and their parents. In absence of the parents the intellectually disabled persons remain uncared. Intellectually disabled are the most neglected group of people in our society, and their services are developed very recently compare to the services for other disabled persons.

• SWID Bangladesh started the program for the intellectually disabled in Bangladesh. A few institutions for special education and guidance of the intellectually disabled are available in the country at government and non-government level and about 10,000 children with intellectual disability are getting services and out of which SWID alone is providing services for more than 7000 intellectually disabled persons.

• National Disability Policy has been developed in 1995 and Protibandhi Kallayan Ayeen-2001 (Disabled Welfare Act 2001) has been adopted by the Parliament on 4th April 2001

• The intellectually disabled persons could be trained-up to perform better in their personal and social life. They can be rehabilitated if proper training is provided, and society accepts them acknowledging their limitations.