Awareness about Government Welfare Schemes for Persons with Disability among Occupational Therapist in Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Introduction: Occupational therapists play an important role in the lives of people with disabilities, so it is important to know who can benefit and what programs are available for people with disabilities. This study focuses on occupational therapists' perceptions of the various welfare schemes available to persons with disabilities in Tamil Nadu.

Objectives:

• To assess the knowledge of occupational therapist about government welfare schemes for persons with disability and to create awareness using the same questionnaire used for the assessment.


• To find the overall awareness level in occupational therapist regarding different government welfare


• To find the difference in awareness among under graduate and post graduate occupational


• To find how the work experience influence the awareness regarding different government welfare

Methods: This study was conducted as an online survey using questionnaire. A self-assessment questionnaire was formed. Totally 100 occupational therapists were selected according to the inclusion criteria. The study was conducted as an online survey and the participants were asked to access the online survey through a unique google form link. Questionnaire consists of fifteen closed ended ‘YES’ or ‘NO’ questions. The google form link was electronically mailed to each of the 100 occupational therapists.

Results: Based on collected data or response, the number of participants of this study was 100 occupational therapist (i.e., Males - 31; Females - 69) and with age group of 21 to 42 years of age (mean age ~ 24.41) and with their work experience of 0 to 16 years. The statistical analysis showed that 65% of occupational therapist had adequate awareness, 28% of occupational therapist had moderate awareness and 7% of occupational therapist has inadequate awareness about government welfare schemes for persons with disability.

Conclusions: This study concluded that majority of occupational therapist in Tamil Nadu have adequate awareness about government welfare schemes for persons with disability.