Terms of Reference - Consultant: Study on Access of Children with Disabilities to Government Services and Benefits in Nepal

Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN) is a non-political, non-religious, not-for-profit Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) established by blind and partially sighted (BPS) youth in Nepal. It was founded in 2011, registered with the District Administration Office in Kathmandu in 2012, and affiliated with the Social Welfare Council of Nepal. It is the only organization established by BPS youth in Nepal. Currently, BYAN has more than 500 members, organized into 10 district chapters located in Jhapa, Morang, Bara, Kathmandu, Chitwan, Kaski, Rupandehi, Banke, Surkhet, and Kailali districts. Memberships and chapter expansion are ongoing. As a rights-based organization, BYAN intends to play a proactive role in formulating, amending, and implementing legal provisions related to youths with disabilities. It also focuses on organizing and capacity-building of youths with disabilities across the country. BYAN has strong networking and cooperation with different government and non-government stakeholders working in various domains of disability. Additionally, BYAN is a member of the National Federation of the Disabled-Nepal (NFDN), which serves as the umbrella organization for organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) in the country.

Consultant: Study on Access of Children with Disabilities to Government Services and Benefits in Nepal

Organization

Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN)

Nepal has made significant progress in recognizing and promoting the rights of persons with disabilities through constitutional guarantees, the Act Relating to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2017, relevant policies and regulations, and its commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Constitution of Nepal also recognizes the right to equality, social justice, education, health, social security, and participation for persons with disabilities.

The Government of Nepal has introduced a range of services, social protection schemes, and benefits intended to support children with disabilities and their families. These include disability identity cards, social security allowances, health and rehabilitation services, education-related support, assistive devices, and other services delivered through federal, provincial, and local governments.

Despite these legal and policy commitments, many children with disabilities continue to experience significant barriers in accessing government services and benefits. These barriers may include limited awareness among children and families regarding available entitlements; complex, inaccessible, or discriminatory administrative procedures; difficulties in obtaining disability identity cards and other documentation; physical, communication, informational, and attitudinal barriers; geographical remoteness; poverty and additional costs associated with disability; limited availability of specialized services; stigma and discrimination; and weak coordination among different levels of government.

Children with disabilities living in geographically remote and historically underserved areas may face particularly significant challenges. At the same time, the nature and extent of barriers may differ across provinces and between urban, rural, and geographically remote communities. There is therefore a need to generate evidence on the actual experiences of children with disabilities and their families in accessing government services and benefits, as well as to identify effective practices and opportunities for improving service delivery.

Under the Building Effective Network (BEN) programme, Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN) intends to commission a study to assess the situation of children with disabilities' access to government services and benefits in selected areas of Bagmati, Karnali, and Sudur-Pashchim Provinces. The study will generate evidence on the level and nature of access, key barriers and enabling factors, service delivery gaps, and promising practices. The findings will inform policy dialogue, advocacy, programme design, and recommendations for strengthening disability-inclusive governance and service delivery in Nepal.

Interested candidates should submit the following to [email protected] by 31 July 2026

Technical proposal (max 5 pages) outlining understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, and sampling approach

Note: The TOR is subject to revision/change based on discussion and mutual agreement with the selected consultant/consulting firm. Only shortlisted applicants will be invited for further selection processes, including interview/presentation if required.

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