Background According to UN Enable, around 10% of the world’s populations, 650 million people, live with disabilities. Census 2001 has revealed that over 21 million people in India as suffering from one or the other kind of disability. This is equivalent to 2.1% of the population. Among the total disabled in the country, 12.6 million are males and 9.3 million are females. Even though current disability figures are not the most reliable, it is noteworthy that national prevalence rates suggest that about 35 percent of people with disabilities are in the 10–29 years age group.

Methods The stratified sampling study was conducted in the southern district Belgaum in India within seven years from Sep 2008 to Sep 2014 and covered the population of all disabled children from low income rural set ups.

Results Nearly 60 percent of the children who underwent health awareness and life skills education showed significant improvement in over all growth and wellbeing. About 60 percent of this group completed their primary education, and 10 percent went on to continue high school. Their overall health improved leading to improved personal development. This resulted in their active participation in school and society.

Conclusions Early health awareness can help in the building of self esteem, betterment of health and reduce infections and cases school dropouts.