Unheard Voices: Exploring the Unmet Needs of Children with Disability

Abstract

Children with disabilities face unique challenges that extend beyond medical diagnoses, which include educational, psychosocial, and community-related needs. Despite international recognition of disability rights, many of these needs remain unmet, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). These unmet needs extend beyond medical care to include psychosocial support, educational accommodations, protection from abuse, and access to appropriate community services. In India, disability has been associated with values and beliefs deeply embedded in cultural traditions for over a century. Thoughts, attitudes, and perceptions are manifestations of these philosophies and ideologies, and they have a significant impact on how people with disabilities are perceived. In India, people with disabilities are often viewed as victims of "personal tragedy" or "individual problems" who need compassion. This review synthesizes evidence from studies conducted in diverse settings, including India, Ethiopia, multi-country scoping reviews, and the United States, to illustrate the scope of unmet needs among children with disabilities. Findings indicate that children with disabilities require significantly more health services, specialized education, and family support than their peers. However, barriers such as stigma, poverty, cultural explanatory models, and structural inequities prevent equitable access to services. Addressing these unmet needs requires coordinated health and education policies, culturally appropriate interventions, and sustained investment in caregiver and family support.