DDAN was born out of a stark necessity. For decades, the Dalit community in Nepal has faced systemic exclusion due to the caste system. However, for those within this community living with disabilities, the marginalization was doubled facing “un-touchability” from society and “un-see-ability” within the disability movement.

In the early 2000s, a group of resilient Dalit advocates with lived experience of disability came together. They realized that their unique challenges required a unique voice. What started as a small support group in Kathmandu has grown into a national force for advocacy, bridging the gap between social justice and disability rights.