9. SERVICE GAPS AND CHALLENGES There are several good activities that are ongoing. The financial assistance for blind persons commenced in 1950s. Residential care service for psychiatric and geriatric patients has been offered since 1976. The provision of assistive devices began in early 1980s. Special education classes were initiated in 1985. However, real gaps in activities remain and persons with disabilities still face barriers accessing their basic necessities. Parents want their children to be successful in education but there are no educational opportunities at lower secondary or higher secondary levels. Persons with disabilities have to find and retain employment to have an adequate income, so that they can support them-selves and lead an independent life, but there are major barriers to employment. Although assistive devices are available from the Government, there is limited information made available to persons with disabilities. Financial assistance is provided to blind persons, but there is no income assistance to persons with other forms of disabilities. Improving outcomes for persons with disabilities is not just about getting specialised disability supports right – it is also about effecting change at much broader levels especially in providing access