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National Resource Kit: The Odisha Chapter (Call for Comments)

anandi — 2013-11-07T06:14:29Z

The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Odisha.

Executive Summary

Odisha has the highest percentage (2.78%) of persons with disabilities in the country. The state has framed the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Amended Odisha Rules 2012 to implement the provisions under the central Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995. The state has issued two notifications in education, one notification in employment and one notification for health and rehabilitation.

State Profile

Capital: Bhubaneswar
Population: 41,947,358[1]
Population of Persons with disabilities: 10, 50,000 (2.78%)[2]. (Census 2001)
HDI: 0.452 Rank: 27th
Literacy: 73.45%
Department: Women and Child Development Department
Directorate: Directorate for Welfare of Persons with Disabilities

Legal Provisions

The state of Odisha has framed the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Amended Odisha Rules 2012 to implement the provisions under the central Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995 (Persons with Disabilities Act).[3] These rules have been issued as an amendment to the previous Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Odisha Rules 2003.

The government of Odisha has formed the Directorate for Welfare of Persons with Disabilities under the Women and Child Development Department to cater to the requirements of persons with disabilities in the state.[4] The government has appointed the Collectors of each district as Deputy Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities for their respective district to assist the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities in discharging their functions.[5]

The state in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) (i) and (2) (h) of Section 13 of the persons with Disabilities Act, appointed the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD) and Chairperson, Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights as members of the State Co-ordination Committee as constituted in the Department Notification No. 708-WCD, dated the 8th January 2003.[6]

The various provisions by the state of Odisha for the persons with disabilities are listed categorically as under:

Education
The government of Odisha has framed the guidelines for establishment, recognition and grant-in-aid to institutions imparting education to children with disabilities to fulfil the mandates under the Persons with Disabilities Act, National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act 1998 and the Right of Education Act, 2009. [7]

Odisha offers an integrated scholarship scheme for students with disabilities titled ‘Banishree – A Scholarship for Students with Special Needs’.[8] The scheme is open to students to continue their education from Class I to university education. Students from middle school and upwards (Class V and upwards) are eligible to apply under this scheme only if they do not receive any scholarship from the Government of India. Students from special schools registered under the Persons with Disabilities Act are eligible to apply provided that they are not in receipt of any grant-in-aid from the central or state government. Students with disabilities pursuing distance education through recognised universities and government organisation, or those pursuing professional, technical or professional courses in any of the recognised institutes are eligible to apply.

Applicants must fulfill the following eligibility criteria:
Should be bonafide resident of Odisha
Should be a regular student of the educational institution
Total income of the applicant’s family should not be more than Rs. 60,000 per annum.
Should not be in receipt of any assistance, stipend or scholarship from the central or state governments under any other scheme.
Should enrol and regularly attend any institution irrespective of whether the applicant has passed the examination or not in a particular year.

The rates of the scholarship offered under the scheme are given as below:

Within the state:

Class I – Class V: Rs. 100 per month
Class VI – Class XI: Rs. 140 per month
Class +2 and Class +3: Rs. 160 per month
University – Post Graduation: Rs. 190 per month
Technical and Vocational: Rs. 190 per month

Outside the state:

Students prosecuting normal course of study or technical/ vocational / professional education/training not available in the State and not covered by Govt. of India Scholarship are given a scholarship of Rs. 250 per month.

Reader allowance for students with visual impairment:

Primary school: Rs. 100 per month
Middle and High School: Rs. 150 per month
Other studies: Rs. 200 per month

Students with orthopaedic disabilities who have 75 per cent or more disability are eligible for a special transport allowance of Rs. 100 per month.

Employment

The government has made provisions to extend the benefits of the Odisha Revised Pay Rule 2008 to the teaching staff of the special schools for persons with disabilities.[9]

Health & Rehabilitation

The District Rehabilitation Centre (DRC) Bhubaneswar has been renamed as the State Institute of Disability Rehabilitation Bhubaneswar and will function as the nodal centre for disability rehabilitation in the state and will be under the control of the Directorate for Welfare of Persons with Disabilities.[10]

[1]. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odisha

[2]. http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=39515

[3]. Women & Child Development Department, No. 1814 Cuttack Saturday September 22 2012/ Bhadra 31 1934, S.R.O No. 518/2012 Dated: 22 June 2012

[4]. Women & Child Development Department, No. 1881 Cuttack Friday, September 28th 2012/ Aswina 6 1934, No. 16140-DW-II-68/2012-WCD Dated: 15th September 2012

[5]. Women & Child Development Department, No. 1588 Cuttack Wednesday July 13 2011/ Asadha 22 1933, S.R.O. No. 537/ 2011 Dated: 30th June 2011

[6]. Women & Child Development Department, No. 982 Cuttack Thursday May17th 2012/ Baisakha 27 1934, No. 7871-DW-II-E-90/2010-WCD Dated: 4th May 2012

[7]. Women & Child Development Department, No. 112 Cuttack Monday, January 14th 20 13/ Pausa 24D 1934, No. 532/2013-WCD

[8]. Women & Child Development Department, No. 1426 Cuttack Friday July 25 2008/ Sravana 3 1930, No. 15776-HW-2-23/2008-WCD

[9]. Women & Child Development Department, No. 2189 Cuttack, Friday September 23 2011/ Aswina 1 1933 No. 15084-DW-I-(A)-40/2011-WCD

[10]. Women & Child Development Department, No. 1290 Cuttack Thursday June 2 2011/ Jaistha 12 1933, No. 10080-DW-H-E-412011-WCD

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-odisha-call-for-comments

National Resource Kit: The Nagaland Chapter (Call for Comments)

CLPR — 2013-11-13T09:58:56Z

The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Nagaland.

Note: The chapter is an early draft and will undergo subsequent modifications. We welcome comments and feedback from our readers.

Executive Summary

The Department of Social Security and Welfare is the wing under the State Government of Nagaland that is responsible for the schemes for persons with disabilities. The Nagaland Parents Association for the Disabled (NAPAD), an NGO, have alleged that the schemes introduced by the State Government are yet to be implemented within the State.

Quick Statistics

Capital: Kohima
Population: 1,980,602 (as per 2011 census)
People with disabilities: 26,499 (2001 census)
Literacy: 80.11%

Legal Provisions

There is no state specific legislation for persons with disabilities. The Government of Nagaland has implemented the following schemes:

Aids and Appliances
In February 2009, the Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment through its Assistance to Disabled Persons (ADIP) scheme allocated Rs. 37 lakhs to eight districts of Nagaland to provide aids and appliances to disabled persons. Those with a monthly family income under Rs. 6500 are provided appliances free of cost, while those up to Rs. 10000 receive a 50% subsidy.

Accessibility

Free bus travel on State Transport buses is provided for people with locomotor disabilities.
Visually impaired passengers with escorts also get free transport in State Transport Buses.

Education

Students with disabilities from Class I to IV are provided with Rs. 35 per month, while Class V to VIII are provided with Rs. 50 a month. This is provided under the State Government Scheme for Persons with Disabilities.
A grant is also provided to students with disabilities undergoing training in typing.

Employment

Reservation of Government Jobs: 5% of all positions listed in the Schedule to No. AR-3/Gen-9/97 is reserved for persons with disabilities. Of this 5%, 1% will be reserved for the categories of blindness, low vision, hearing impairment, loco motor disability and cerebral palsy (in this order).
The upper age limit for jobs in Public Service and Public Undertakings is relaxed by five years for persons with disabilities by Order no. AR-8/27/76 dated 10/8/1977.
By the recommendation of the Nagaland Department of Social Welfare, the National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation sanctioned a loan of Rs. 50,000 each to 499 people (in 2012) to take up trades such as grocery selling, vegetable gardening/vending, raising pigs, poultry, tailoring, handicrafts, etc.

Health and Rehabilitation

There is no State Government scheme for health and rehabilitation. Under the Rashtriya Gramin Punarvas Yojana, scheme of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, a District Fitment Centre catering to all persons with disabilities has been established in one district.

Social Protection

As of October 2012, 200 completely blind people were provided with financial assistance of Rs. 200 per month under the State Government Welfare Scheme for Persons with Disabilities.
Under the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme, the department provides a monthly pension of Rs. 200 to persons with severe disabilities of 18 years and older, of which there were 1276 beneficiaries as of October 2012 in Nagaland
Physically disabled persons also receive Rs. 60 per month as a disability pension under the State Government Welfare Scheme for Persons with disabilities.
Aged persons with disabilities without relatives or family have access to a state-sponsored home.

Sources

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/the-nagaland-chapter

National Resource Kit: The Mizoram Chapter (Call for Comments)

CLPR — 2014-03-06T16:26:19Z

The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Mizoram.

Click to download the chapter in the revised format.

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/the-mizoram-chapter

National Resource Kit: The Manipur Chapter (Call for Comments)

CLPR — 2013-11-07T06:12:54Z

The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Manipur.

Executive Summary

In June 2013, the State Platform of Disabled People’s Organization in Manipur submitted a memorandum to the Social Welfare Minister and the Chief Minister demanding a proper budget allocation for persons with disability and an official State Policy on disability[1] and to ensure its proper implementation.

Quick Statistics
Capital:Imphal
Population (2011): 2,721,746
Number of people with disabilities: 28,380
Literacy (2011): 79.85%

Legal Provisions

The State Government of Manipur has not created or implemented any state specific legislation on persons with disabilities. The Government of Manipur has devised the following schemes:

Accessibility
Free bus travel facility is available for persons with disabilities on the State Transport buses.

Aids and Appliances
There are no state government schemes created by the Government of Manipur. The Central Government sponsored ADIP scheme has been implemented:

Assistance to Disabled Person Scheme (ADIP): The main objective of this Scheme is to assist persons with disabilities in procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances that can promote their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation, by reducing the effects of disabilities and enhancing their economic potential. The quantum of assistance and income limit under the ADIP scheme is as follows:

Quantum of assistance and income limit under the ADIP scheme:
	Total Income	Amount of Assistance
1	Up to Rs. 6,500/- per month	Full cost of aid/appliance
2	Rs. 6,501/- to Rs. 10,000/- per month	50% of the cost of aid/appliance

The scheme is implemented through implementing agencies such as the NGOs, National Institutes under this Ministry and ALIMCO (a PSU).

Education
Various scholarships by the Government of Manipur are also available, as follows:
Pre-metric scholarships (typically for studies between Std I and Std X)

Scholarship Name	Scope of Study	Eligibility			Benefits
		Income (p.a.)	Social	Academic
Financial Assistance to dependent	Age 6 - 16 studying in recognized schools	Less than Rs 500/- p.m.			Rs 720/- p.a.
Scheme for students with disabilities	Grade 1 - 5	Less Than Rs 2,000/- p.m.	Disability	40%	Grade 1-2: Day Scholars: Rs 40/- p.m.; Hostellers: Rs 60/- p.m.; Grade 3-5: Day Scholars: Rs 40/- p.m.; Hostellers: Rs 80/- p.m.;

Secondary Education Scholarships (typically for studies between Std IX and Std XII)

	Scholarship Name	Scope of Study	Eligibility			Benefits
			Income (p.a.)	Social	Academic
1	Scheme for students with disabilities	Grade 9-10	Less than Rs 2,000/- p.m.	Disability	40%	Day Scholars: Rs 720/- p.a.; Hostellers: Rs 1,200/- p.a.; Only blind: Rs 300/- for 6 months

Higher Education Scholarships (typically for graduation and post-graduation studies)

	Scholarship Name	Scope of Study	Eligibility			Benefits
			Income (p.a.)	Social	Academic
1	Scheme for students with disabilities	Under Graduation	Less Than Rs 2,000/- p.m.	Disability	40%	1st and 2nd year - Day Scholars: Rs 90/- p.m.; Hostellers: Rs 130/- p.m.; Blind only: Rs 75/- p.m. for 6 months
2	Scheme for students with disabilities	Post Graduation	Less Than Rs 2,000/- p.m.	Disability	40%	Day Scholars: Rs 120/- p.m.; Hostellers: Rs 170/- p.m.; Blind only: Rs 100/- p.m. for 6 months
	Scheme for students with disabilities	Professional Courses (MBBS / LLB / B.Ed. etc.	Less Than Rs 24,000/- p.a.	Disability	40%	Day Scholars: Rs 120/- p.m.; Hostellers: Rs 170/- p.m.; Blind only: Rs 100/- p.m. for 6 months

Criteria:
A candidate applying for scholarships must be a Manipuri by birth or a person who has settled in the state for at least ten years. The person should be citizen of India and resident of Manipur at least for the last six years. The candidate should have secured at least 40% mark at the previous annual examination. No scholarship will be admissible if the combined monthly income of the parents / guardian of the candidate is more than Rs 2,000/-.

The Social Welfare Department of Manipur offers a scholarship of Rs 300 per annum to students with mental health problems.

The Social Welfare Department, Government of Manipur created a special employment exchange window for persons with disabilities in 1982 to ensure that there are employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
3% of posts in the direct recruitment of Class - III and IV posts are reserved for persons with disabilities in the following rosters.
i) 1% for Visual Impaired in the 34th roster.
ii) 1% for Hearing Impaired in the 67th roster.
iii) 1% for Locomotors Disability in the 100th roster.[2]
The upper age limitfor applying to Government jobs was extended by the Government of Manipur by 10 years for persons with disabilities from all categories.
The State Government also provides financial assistance to persons with disabilities who are self-employed.
The Manipur Government also provides for unemployment allowances for candidates with disabilities who have been listed on the special employment exchange for more than two years but have not been able to find employment.

Health and Rehabilitation
Grameen Purnavas Yojna is a central government sponsored scheme and under this scheme, a rehabilitation centre has been set up in Manipur for persons with disabilities. Wheel chairs/tri-cycles have been distributed to members of the centre.

Social Protection
The Government of Manipur provides financial assistance to persons with disabilities, who have a family income of less than Rs. 60,000 per annum. The amount fixed as financial assistance varies each year depending on the availability of funds. Under this scheme, the Government aims to provide assistance to 1000 persons.

The Central Government sponsored Indira Gandhi Disability pension scheme has been implemented in 8 districts of Manipur and a total of Rs 13.4 lakhs has been received by the State Government for this scheme in 2010-11.

Sources

[1].(http://imphaltimes.com/disable-people-demand-state-policy/)

[2]. http://socialwelfaremanipur.nic.in/disable.htm

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-manipur-chapter-call-for-comments

National Resource Kit: The Maharashtra Chapter (Call for Comments)

anandi — 2013-11-07T06:14:58Z

The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Maharashtra.

Executive Summary

The state of Maharashtra is in the process of finalising the Maharashtra State Policy for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. The draft is currently under discussion by the government and civil society organisations. The government of Maharashtra has issued notifications on providing assistive technologies to disabled employees in government and semi-government services.

State Profile

Capital: Mumbai
Population: 112,372,972
Population of Persons with Disabilities: 15,69,582 (2001 Census)
Literacy: 82.9%
HDI: 0.689 Rank: 12th (2005)[1]
Department: Department of Social Justice and Empowerment

Legal Provisions
The state of Maharashtra is in the process of putting together a state policy for persons with disabilities to implement the provisions in the three central laws. The draft of this document is presently being deliberated by the government and civil bodies for persons with disabilities.

The government has passed a few notifications for persons with disabilities. These are listed below:

Accessibility
The government of Maharashtra has published a list of supportive devices and assistive technologies that are required by blind and visually impaired employees in government and semi-government services to fulfil their duties. The order provides that the existing disabled employees as well as those who are to be appointed will have to be provided with these devices according to their needs.[2]

The government of Maharashtra has issued a notification to the effect that all employees with disabilities who are appointed to government and semi-government services will be provided with devices with assistive technology that enable them to carry out their designated tasks. The order provides that each disabled employee is eligible to purchase two devices worth a maximum of Rs. 50,000 per head and the charges borne by the employee for the purchase of the devices are to be reimbursed by the government within 15 days of the claim. The order further states that for devices worth more than Rs. 50,000 the department is responsible for purchasing the devices for the use of the employees.[3]

Education
The University of Mumbai has issued a circular approving the use of scribe and providing extra time to students with disabilities such as blindness, low vision and physical disability, and those suffering from conditions like dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia or equivalent conditions. The circular further provides that the principals of colleges and heads of institutes will be responsible for assisting the students in locating scribes and providing permission letters.[4]

[1]. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maharashtra

[2]. Social Justice and Special Support Department Government Decision Date: Court Order- 2011/C.No-4/Amendment – 3 Dated: 3rd June 2011

[3]. Social Justice and Special Services Department Government Circular No. Court Order – 2011/C No – 4/Amend Dated: 20th August 2011

[4]. No. Exam/COE/Benefit/102 of 2012 31st March, 2012

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-maharashtra-chapter-call-for-comments

National Resource Kit: The Madhya Pradesh Chapter (Call for Comments)

anandi — 2013-11-07T08:51:38Z

The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Madhya Pradesh.

Note: The chapter is an early draft and will undergo subsequent modifications. We welcome comments and feedback from our readers.

Executive Summary

The Department of Social Justice is responsible for the welfare of persons with disabilities in Madhya Pradesh. The state has an estimated population of 14,08,528[1] persons with disabilities of the total population of 72,597,565 people.[2] Madhya Pradesh has issued five notifications for Education, one notification for Skill Training and Employment, six notifications for Social Security, Health, Rehabilitation and Recreation and one notification for Accessibility.

Legal Provisions

The notifications issued by the state for persons with disabilities are listed categorically as below:

Education

1.1 The government implements a scheme that provides scholarships for eligible students with disabilities to pursue higher education abroad. [3] Students applying for scholarship under this scheme should fulfil the prescribed educational requirements, not be more than 35 years of age on the 1st January of the year of application and the total family income should not be more than Rs. 96,000 per annum. This scholarship is available to only one child per family. Application should be made on the prescribed format with all required attachments including witness form, income certificate, caste certificate, disability certificate and domicile proof.

1.2 Madhya Pradesh implements a scheme that enables students with disabilities to pursue higher education in the fields of medicine, engineering, computer science and management studies through provision of maintenance and transport allowances and scholarships.[4]

Fees of the disabled students of government universities and colleges would be directly paid by the Department. For students studying in private universities and colleges, fees equal to the government fees would be paid by the department and the balance is to be borne by the student. The students are eligible for a maintenance allowance of Rs. 1500 for a period of ten months which will be directly paid to the college. Students with disabilities are eligible to receive an amount of Rs. 500 from the Nagar Nigram Kshetra and an amount of Rs. 300 from the Nagar Palik Kshetra towards transport allowance for a period of 10 months. This amount would be directly paid to the college authorities. Applications under this scheme are to be made in the prescribed format. Applicants should fulfil the following conditions:

Should have a minimum disability of 40 per cent.
Should be natives of Madhya Pradesh and should apply to study in universities and colleges within Madhya Pradesh.
Annual income of the family should not exceed Rs. 96,000.
Should not be in receipt of tuition fees and transport allowance from any other plan.
Students belonging to SC / ST or backward categories will have to choose to receive assistance for either SC/ST and backward classes, or for disabled students.

1.3 Scholarships are awarded to eligible students with disabilities at the following rates.[5]

Category	Boys	Girls
Primary School	Rs. 25 per month	Rs. 35 per month
Higher Primary	Rs. 30 per month	Rs. 40 per month
Middle School	Rs. 110 per year (SC / ST) (rural)	Rs. 120 per month (regular)
Middle School (Scholarships)	Rs. 500 per month	Rs. 500 per month
Higher Middle School (SC / ST)	(Daily) Rs. 60 per month	(regular) Rs. 60 per month
Higher Middle School (SC / ST)	Rs. 50 per month	(scholarship) Rs.60 per month
Pre University level (General / Other Backward Classes)	(Regular) Rs. 250 per month	(Regular) Rs. 250 per month
Pre University level (General / Other Backward Classes)	(scholarship) Rs. 500 per month	(scholarship) Rs. 500 per month
Pre University level (SC/ST)	(regular) Rs. 65 per month	(regular) Rs. 65 per month
Pre University level (SC/ST)	(scholarship) Rs. 60 per month	(scholarship) Rs. 60 per month
After Graduation (General / Other Backward Classes)	(regular) Rs. 300 per month	(regular) Rs. 300 per month
After Graduation (General / Other Backward Classes)	(scholarship) Rs.525 per month	(scholarship) Rs.525 per month
After Graduation (SC / ST)	Rs. 60 per month	Rs. 60 per month

Students with disabilities belonging to SC / ST category studying in technical colleges are also eligible to apply for scholarships. In addition to the scholarship given by the SC / ST boards, the Department of Social Justice also provides scholarship to weak SC / ST students. The annual income of parents whose children apply for scholarship should not exceed Rs. 96,000.

Students with disabilities belonging to SC / ST category who score 80 per cent in Class VIII are eligible to receive grant of Rs. 2500 as encouragement to continue higher studies. Similarly, disabled students of SC / ST category who score 60 percent in Class XII are eligible to receive Rs. 3000 as encouragement to continue higher studies in local colleges. Students with visual impairment belonging to SC / ST category and pursuing higher studies will be given reader allowance as listed below.

Course	Reader Allowance
Graduation	Rs. 100
Post Graduation	Rs. 125
Technical	Rs. 150

1.4 Madhya Pradesh implements a scheme to aid opening of hostels for students with disabilities.[6] The responsibility of opening and maintaining the hostel rests with the educational institution. Hostels may be opened with a minimum of five students. Separate hostels should be established for boys and girls. In case of rented buildings, the educational institution is eligible to receive a maximum of Rs. 1500 towards rent.

Boarding facilities are available only to students of government and non government educational institutions who are in Class XI or above and have applied for scholarship post matriculation. Students applying for hostels should be domiciled in Madhya Pradesh and their total family income should not exceed Rs. 96,000 per annum.

1.5 The Higher Primary Education Board has issued an order[7] stating that extra time of 20 minutes for every hour will be provided to students with disabilities in the upper limbs and students with cerebral palsy if attempting the exam without aid of a scribe. Extra time would not be granted to the students of the above category if using the services of a scribe. Extra time of 20 minutes per hour would be granted to students with visual impairment even if services of a scribe are used.

Skill Training and Employment

2.1 The government provides financial assistance to persons with disabilities as encouragement for succeeding in the civil services examination of Madhya Pradesh.[8] Assistance will be provided in the following scale

Level	Assistance
Passing preliminary examination	Rs. 20,000
Passing main examination	Rs. 30,000
Passing final selection	Rs. 20,000

Applications have to be made to the Composite Coordinators of Social Justice of the respective districts within 30 days of declaration of results.

Social Security, Health, Rehabilitation & Recreation

3.1 The Department of Social Justice implements a scheme called Persons with Multiple Disabilities and Mental Retardation Grant 2009.[9] Persons with multiple disabilities and mental retardation who are above six years of age and receive a grant of Rs. 500 under this scheme are eligible to be covered by the Niramaya health insurance scheme being implemented by the National Trust. All beneficiaries will be insured by the district administration.

3.2 Persons with disabilities in the age range of six to 18 years with disability of not less than 40 percent and belonging to BPL families are eligible for pension of Rs. 150 per month under the Overall Social Safety Pension Scheme.[10]

3.3 The government implements a scheme to encourage marriages for persons with disabilities by providing a grant of Rs. 25,000 for marriages where either the groom or the bride is disabled. For marriages where both the bride and groom are disabled, a grant of Rs. 50,000 is provided.[11]

Individuals who are natives of Madhya Pradesh and who are non income tax payers are eligible to apply. The grant is available only for the first marriage of the disabled person. Applicants should be above 18 years of age in case of women and 21 years of age in case of men and should have a minimum disability of at least 40 per cent to be eligible.

3.4 Persons with multiple disabilities or mental retardation who are above the age of six years and whose parents / guardians are below poverty line are eligible to apply for aid from the Department of Social Justice.[12] The grant-in-aid will be directly deposited in the bank account of the applicant. Applicants should fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

Should be natives of Madhya Pradesh.
Should produce age proof stating that they are above six years of age that is issued by the town municipality, city corporations, town Panchayat or the grama Panchayat.
Should produce a disability certificate stating a minimum of 40 per cent disability
The bank account of the beneficiary should be a joint account with either parents or guardians and should be held in a nationalised bank, a co-operative bank or a regional rural bank.

3.5 The government has enhanced The aid to beneficiaries from the aided voluntary organisations to Rs. 1000 per month.[13]

3.6 The government has issued an order providing disabled employees of the state government with travel allowance of Rs. 500 per month.[14]

Accessibility

4.1 The Department of Information Technology has issued an order notifying all government departments to make their websites WCAG 2.0 compliant and use Unicode font in order to make all information accessible for persons with disabilities.[15]

[1]. http://www.pacsindia.org/hi/node/325.

[2]. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhya_Pradesh.

[3]. Department of Social Justice No. 1-3-36/2008/26-2 Dated: Bhopal, 24.11.2008.

[4]. Department of Social Justice Sl. F. 3-35-2008-20-2 Dated: Bhopal, 30.12.2009.

[5]. Department of Social Justice, Sr. No. 1-3-120/2007/26-2 Dated: Bhopal, 8.02.2008.

[6]. Department of Social Justice, No. 1-3-44/2008/26-2 Dated: Bhopal, 8.09.2008.

[7]. Higher Primary Education Board, Sl. No. 7 Vidyochith/2007 Dated: Bhopal, 8.01.2007.

[8]. Department of Social Justice No. 1-3-59/2008/26-2 Dated: Bhopal, 8.08.2006.

[9]. Department of Social Justice Sr. F 1897/2012/26-2 Dated: Bhopal, 10.09.2012.

[10]. Department of Social Justice No. F 2-87/2010/26-2 Dated: Bhopal, 25.06.2013.

[11]. Department of Social Justice No. 1-3-42/2008/26-2 Dated: Bhopal, 12.06.2008.

[12]. Department of Social Justice Sr. No. 1-3-40/2008 Dated: Bhopal, 18.06.2009.

[13]. Department of Social Justice No. 3-12/2013/126-2, Sr. No. 906/2013/26-2 Dated: Bhopal, 30.04.2013.

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/the-madhya-pradesh-chapter

National Resource Kit: The Lakshadweep Chapter (Call for Comments)

anandi — 2014-02-20T10:00:32Z

The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Lakshadweep.

The Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Culture is responsible for welfare of persons with disabilities in Lakshadweep. The union territory has an estimated population of 1678 persons with disabilities in a total population of 64,429 people. Lakshadweep implements two schemes under Skill Development & Employment, three schemes under Social Security, Health, Rehabilitation & Recreation and has notified authorities for disability Certification and certifying Organisations & Individuals for Persons with Disabilities.

Click to download the full chapter (PDF, 187 Kb)

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-lakshadweep-chapter-call-for-comments

National Resource Kit: The Jharkhand Chapter (Call for Comments)

Manojna Yeluri — 2013-11-07T06:14:16Z

The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Jharkhand.

Executive Summary

According to the 2001 Census, the number of persons with disability i Jharkhand amounted to about 4,48,377 which is roughly 3% of the total population of Jharkhand.[1] The largest section of the disabled population in Jharkhand is visually impaired, constituting about 41.53%. Statistics indicate that Jharkhand houses approximately 2.04% of the total disabled population of the country.

Quick Statistics:

Capital: Ranchi
Population: 32,966,238 (2011 Census)
Population of Persons with Disabilities: 448,377 (2001 Census)
Literacy: 67.63%

The Nodal Department in charge of the implementation and enforcement of the Rules and Acts concerning Persons with Disabilities is the Department of Social Welfare, Women and Child Development. The Jharkhand State Policy on Disability Rights seeks to ensure, inter alia, Participation, Inclusion, Barrier free environment, Empowerment and Self Advocacy.

Legal Provisions

The Jharkhand State Policy on Disability has been formulated under the provisions enshrined in the Central Policies and laws.

The State Policy seeks to facilitate the inclusion of disability rights in the strategies of the Government, to develop an integrated management system for the coordination of disability planning and its implementation, and finally, to develop a comprehensive plan of action that will include among other things, a strong public education system and awareness raising programmes. The Policy focuses mainly on the following areas:

Public Education and Awareness Raising
Prevention of Disabilities through Early Identification and Intervention, immunisation, healthy lifestyle promotion and so on.
Health Care and Nutrition
Community Based Rehabilitation
Barrier Free Access
Accessible and Flexible Public Transport System
Inclusive Education
Employment and Economic Empowerment
Participation in Public Life
Skill Development through special vocation training services
Human Resource Development to ensure access to the necessary rehabilitation services
Social Security
Housing
Cultural and Creative Activities and Sports
Data Gathering and Research on Persons with Disabilities
Special Focus areas: Mental Illness, Sensory and Multiple Disabilities, Women and Girls with Disabilities and Certification

Additionally, a new policy is set to be passed which will ensure a three per cent fund allotment in the State’s annual budget, for the upliftment of people with disability.[2]

Accessibility

The Department of Social Welfare, Jharkhand has not made any schemes under this category except for the following:

Concessions on Tickets: For persons with blindness, physical or mental disability, 75% concession on the price of tickets is given in sleeper class and 3^rd AC compartment while 50% concession is given in 2^nd and 1^st AC. For persons who are hearing and speech impaired, a 50% concession is provided. A concession is also provided for any helper traveling with the person with disability.[3]

Tricycles and Wheelchairs: Tricycles, wheelchairs and other aids and appliances are to be provided to the physically challenged, however there is no specific scheme for the same.[4]

No other provisions have been made with regard to travel allowances.

Education

The state government provides for scholarships, reserevations and other facilities for stidents with disabilities. The benefits provided are as follows:

Scholarships and Stipends for students with disabilities:

Class 1- 8 in Govt schools: Stipend of Rs. 50/- per student per month.

Class 9 to Undergraduate degree in Govt school/ college: Stipend of Rs.250/- per student per month.

Postgraduate degree in a Govt college: Stipend of Rs. 260/- per student per college.

Boarders from Class 1-8 in a Govt school: Stipend of Rs. 100/- per student per month.
Additionally, if any registered Non Governmental Organisation sets up a school for children with disabilities, students of that school are also to be taken care of. It is to be ensured that the schools have trained teachers and the necessary equipments.[5]

Reservation in Educational Institutions: As per Section 39 of the PWD Act, reservation of 3% is provided in government educational institutions as well as educational institutions funded by the government for persons with disabilities.

Non Formal education: 5^th class dropout students with disabilities are to be given Non Formal education and children over the age of 16 are to be given special books, desired equipments and are to be taught through open schools and universities in order for them to attain functional literacy.[6]

Grants in Aid Schemes: The Department of Social Welfare runs various bodies and institutions through grants in aid to Non Governmental Organisations for the welfare of its target groups. Few of such schemes are as follows.

Establishment of Schools for Spastic Children: The scheme for the spastic children is being implemented in this State through Non Governmental Organisations in different blocks of the State. For this scheme funds are provided to those Non Governmental Organisations that wish to open special schools for the benefit of spastic children.
Schools for the Blind, Hearing and Speech Impaired: The State government has set up construction and renovation work for schools for the blind, hearing and speech impaired. In addition to these, 3 new schools and hostels have been completed. It is proposed to run these institutions with the help of capable Non Governmental Organisations.

Employment

Reservation in Government Jobs: As per Notification No. 728 dated 01/11/2007 read with Notification No. 5776 dated 10/10/2002 and Notification No. 5795 dated 10/10/2002, 3% of Government jobs have been reserved for persons with disabilities in the State.[7] Within this 3%, 1% of the jobs is reserved for persons with partial or complete blindness, 1% for people with hearing disability and 1% for people who are orthopaedically disabled.[8]

Health and Rehabilitation

No health and rehabilitation schemes have been formulated except for provision of equipment and aids and appliances.

Equipments for persons with disabilities: Equipments such as crutches, hearing aids, tricycles are being provided by the State government to persons with disabilities.

Social Protection

Swami Vivekananda Nisshakta Svawalamban Protsahan Yojana: This is a flagship scheme promulgated by the Jharkhand State Government with regard to the welfare of persons with disabilities in the State. Since the financial year 2006-07 the Government has started this scheme where an amount of Rs. 200/- per month is given to every person with disability living in the State and is above the age of 5 years as a stipend through Anganwadi workers. This amount has now been increased to Rs. 400/- per month.[9]

Minor Disability Sector scheme: Apart from the scheme of Swami Vivekananda Nisshakta Svawalamban Protsahan Yojana there are a few minor schemes relating to disability which are run by the Department of Social Welfare. They are as follows:

Special Equipment for Disabled

Scholarship to Handicapped

Economic & Social Survey of the Disabled

Workshop for the Disabled[10]

Reservation in Poverty Alleviation Programmes: Notification No. 3260 dated 06/06/2003 provides that any poverty alleviation programme of the Government must have a 3% reservation for persons with disabilities.[11]

Workshop for the Disabled: Under this scheme funds are provided to Non Governmental Organisations for conducting workshops, seminars etc. on disability, and also for organizing Abilympics and related events.[12] Abilympics is a vocational skills competition on the lines of the Olympics, held for persons with disabilities to showcase their talents.

Central Schemes

Cash Transfer Scheme: Jharkhand government has decided to bring all 24 districts of the state under Direct Cash Transfer scheme of the Central Government by May 2013. The Direct Cash Transfer scheme will start in four districts of Jharkhand- Ranchi, Ramgarh, Hazaribagh and Saraikela Kharsawan. The scheme would provide cash directly to persons with disability, in addition to scholarships and pensions for the elderly and other welfare schemes of Central Government through Aadhar cards.

Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme to promote Voluntary Action for Persons with Disabilities: This is an umbrella scheme by the Central Government for the effective rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. The Jharkhand Government, under this scheme, provides assistance to Non Governmental Organisations for provision of a wide range of services to the disabled such as early intervention, programmes for pre school, vocational training, special education, community based rehabilitation, manpower development and so on.[13]

Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/Appliances (ADIP) Scheme: This scheme of the Central Government has been implemented by the Jharkhand Government. Funds are provided to the state notionally which are then allocated to Implementing Agencies for the purpose of assisting persons with disabilities to promote their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation by helping them.[14]

Scheme for providing Employment to Persons with Disabilities in the Private Sector: Incentives are being provided by the Government to the private sector employers in order to promote employment in the private sector as well.[15]

[1].http://www.jharkhand.gov.in/new_depts/socwf/Social%20Welfare%20Annual%20Plan%2009-10.pdf

[2].http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-05/ranchi/33614847_1_state-disability-commissioner-pwd-act-disability-act

[3].Directory for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities through Government and Non Governmental Organisations, pp.25-26.

[4].http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130302/jsp/jharkhand/story_16623167.jsp#.UYc8tLW7KAg

[5].http://socialwelfarejhar.com/ap12-13.pdf, p.5.

[6].Section 27 of the PWD Act.

[7].Directory for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities through Government and Non Governmental Organisations, p. 33.

[8]. Office Memorandum No.36035/3/2004-Estt.(Res.) dated 29.12.2005.

[9].http://socialwelfarejhar.com/

[10].http://www.jharkhand.gov.in/new_depts/ap201011/Social_welfare201011.pdf

[11].Supra, n.7.

[12].http://www.jharkhand.gov.in/new_depts/socwf/Social%20Welfare%20Annual%20Plan%2009-10.pdf

[13].http://socialjustice.nic.in/ddrs.php?pageid=6

[14].http://socialjustice.nic.in/adipjh.php

[15].http://socialjustice.nic.in/incentdd.php

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National Resource Kit: The Jammu & Kashmir Chapter (Revised)

anandi — 2014-02-20T09:46:00Z

The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Jammu and Kashmir

The Department of Social Welfare is responsible for the welfare of persons with disabilities in Jammu & Kashmir. The state has an estimated population of 3,02,670 persons with disabilities in a total population of 12,548,926 people.

Click to download the full chapter (PDF, 179 Kb)

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National Resource Kit: The Himachal Pradesh Chapter

anandi — 2014-02-20T09:24:02Z

The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

Introduction

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment is responsible for the welfare of persons with disabilities in Himachal Pradesh. The state has an estimated population of 1,55,950 persons with disabilities in a total population of 6,856,509 people. The state has brought out a state policy for persons with disabilities and has issued three schemes under Education, four schemes under Skill Development & Employment, two schemes under Social Security, Health, Rehabilitation & Recreation and one scheme under Accessibility.

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National Resource Kit: The Himachal Chapter (Call for Comments)

anandi — 2013-11-07T06:15:57Z

The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

Executive Summary

Himachal Pradesh has issued a state policy for persons with disabilities to implement the provisions in the central laws. The government has brought out an integrated scheme for persons with disabilities in 2008 to implement certain sections of the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995. Through this scheme the government has made provisions for education, employment, training, health, rehabilitation and social protection for persons with disabilities.

State Profile

Capital: Shimla
Population: 6,856,509[1]
Population of Persons with Disabilities: 1,55,950
Literacy: 83.78%
HDI: 0.652 Ranked 3rd
Department: Department of Social Justice and Empowerment
Directorate: Directorate of SC, ST and Minority Affairs

Legal Provisions

Himachal Pradesh has brought out a state policy for persons with disabilities to implement the provisions under the two central laws, namely:

Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995 (Persons with Disabilities Act)

National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple disabilities Act 1998 (National Trust Act)

The government of Himachal Pradesh has passed an integrated scheme for persons with disabilities in 2008 to implement Section 25 (A), Section 25 (E), Section 26, Section 30 (D), Section 39, Section 38 (I) (a), Section 41 and Section 66 of the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995.[2] Through this scheme the government has created provisions for education, employment, training, health, rehabilitation and social protection for persons with disabilities.

In order to elicit all relevant information related to persons with disabilities, the government has modified the Families Survey Register of ICDS to give an updated survey year on year. This is intended to help in understanding the nature and type of disabilities, educational and social status of families of persons with disabilities, employment status of disabled family members and the status of benefits availed under various scheme by persons with disabilities.

Accessibility

The integrated scheme for persons with disabilities provides for awareness generation and orientation through awareness camps, seminars and workshops with an idea of creating sensitivity among policy makers and social workers regarding the requirements of persons with disabilities. It also aims to educate the masses regarding barrier free environment and create a pool of access auditors for creating free access to persons with disabilities in public places and buildings. The scheme provides funds for the workshops, seminars and awareness camps to be held at various state, district and block levels.

Education

The government provides scholarships to students with disabilities from Class I to post graduate level and for diploma / vocational / technical / professional education. Students with disabilities whose annual family income from all sources does not exceed Rs. 60,000 are eligible to apply in the prescribed format with copies of bonafide Himachal Pradesh domicile certificate, disability certificate issued by competent authority, annual progress report of the student for the last year from the educational institution and the income certificate of the family. Rates for the scholarships:

Class	Rate for day scholars (per month)	Rate for hostellers (per month)
Class I to Class V	Rs. 150	Rs.300
Class VI to Class VIII	Rs. 200	Rs.400
Class IX – Class X	Rs. 250	Rs.500
Senior Secondary	Rs. 300	Rs.600
BA / B Com / B Sc	Rs. 350	Rs.700
BE / B Tech / MBBS / LLB	Rs. 400	Rs.800
MA / M Com / M Sc / LL M	Rs. 450	Rs.900

The government provides three per cent reservations for students with disabilities in all the educational institutions under the regular budget and programmes of any of the government departments.

The state has set up special schools for children with visual impairment and hearing impairment at Sunder Nagar for girls and at Dali for boys under the DSJE and SPCCD respectively.

Employment & Training

The state policy provides three per cent reservation in all state government posts from Class I to Class IV for persons with disabilities divided into one per cent each for persons with visual impairment, hearing impairment and orthopaedic disability. The policy further provides that employees with severe disability – 60 per cent or more – will be posted to stations of their choice as far as possible.

The government of Himachal Pradesh offers vocational / technical / livelihood training to persons with disabilities in collaboration with nongovernmental organisations and industrial bodies to promote self employment among persons with disabilities. The ventures will be financed by government finance development corporations.

Persons with disabilities who fulfil the following criteria should respond to the government’s call for training programmes in the prescribed format: the applicant Should be a bonafide resident of HP, should be between the age of 18 to 45 years on the date of application, should have passed the minimum educational qualification as required for the particular training programme and the annual income of the family should not be more than Rs. 1,00,000.

During the training, candidates will be provided a maximum assistance of rs. 1000 per month by the Department of SJE.

The government has also made provisions to provide financial assistance in form of subsidy in addition to the loans being provided by the HP Minority Financial Development Corporation to persons with disabilities for encouraging self employment. Candidates should apply to the HP Minority Finance and Development Corporation. Subsidy payable will be 20 per cent of the project cost or Rs. 10,000 whichever is less.

Himachal Pradesh recognises and awards best employers of persons with disabilities and best employees with disabilities. One award of Rs. 25,000 with citation is given to an employer who fulfils the following conditions: employs maximum number of persons with disabilities within the organisation, provides barrier free access within the premises, offers equitable working conditions for persons with disabilities on par with the other employees and provides additional facilities like travel and housing for employees with disabilities. Three awards of Rs. 10,000 each are given along with citations to one employee with disability each in the categories of visual impairment, hearing impairment and orthopaedic disability. Candidates for the awards will be either nominated by their employers or by the Deputy Commissioner (Disabilities) or recommended by the DWO of their respective districts.

Health and Rehabilitation

The integrated scheme for persons with disabilities creates provisions for early detection and prevention of disabilities through screening of children at regular intervals. The examination of children upto the age of six years will be carried out by Anganwadi workers while the examination of children upto 12 years will be undertaken by the Health and Family Department.

The scheme further provides for medical camps to be conducted to carry out regular checkups for persons with disabilities and certify their disabilities, recommend suitable aids and appliances for them and for the distribution of disability identity cards.

Social Protection

The state policy for persons with disabilities provides three per cent reservation in all poverty alleviation schemes for persons with disabilities.

The government provides marriage grants for persons with disabilities through its integrated scheme for marriages where either one or both parties are with disabilities. The scheme provides for a grant of Rs. 8000 for the marriage of a person who has a disability between 40 per cent and 74 per cent. It provides a grant of Rs. 15,000 for the marriage of a person with more than 75 per cent disability. Application for the grant is to be submitted in the prescribed format with copies of the birth certificate, bonafide domicile certificate for Himachal Pradesh, disability certificate issued by the district medical board and marriage registration certificate of the applicant along with an undertaking from the applicant that such a grant has not been received before.

Category	Notification No.	Details
All	Department of Social Justice and Empowerment NO.SJF-C(10)-31/2006, Dated Shimla-2	Integrated Scheme for Persons with Disabilities

[1]. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himachal_Pradesh

[2]. Department of Social Justice and Empowerment No. SJF-C(10)-31/2006, Shimla - 2.

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-himachal-pradesh-call-for-comments

National Resource Kit: The Gujarat Chapter (Call for Comments)

anandi — 2014-01-08T07:01:33Z

The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Gujarat.

Executive Summary

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment is responsible for the welfare of persons with disabilities in Gujarat. The state has an estimated population of 1,045,465[1] persons with disabilities in a total population of 60,439,692[2]people. Gujarat has issued two resolutions under General Entitlements, four schemes under Women & Children with Disabilities, three schemes under Education, one resolution under Skill Development & Employment and seven schemes under Social Security, Health, and Rehabilitation & Recreation.

General Entitlements

The office of the police commissioner of Surat has circulated guidelines within the department for handling persons with mental illness moving unescorted in public places.[3] The guidelines require that:

The Police Inspector or senior Police Sub-inspector should directly deal with the person with mental illness.
The details of the person should be entered in the records of the police station and a report made.
The person with mental illness should be produced in the court of respective judicial magistrate with the report on the same day.
If the person is ordered to be admitted in a mental hospital by the judicial magistrate, the person should be admitted to the facility immediately.
In case of persons with mental illness who show excited or violent behaviour, the above process should be pursued with the help of the Forensic Science Department.
Women police officers should be present mandatorily in cases where women with mental illness are involved.

The government has passed a resolution mandating the use of terms like disability and disabled while referring to persons with disabilities instead of terms like handicapped, physical handicap in all its official communication.[4]

Sr. No.	Notification No.	Details
1	The Office of the Police Commissioner, Surat No. RB/Mentally Ill/4343/2010 Dated: 15.03.2010	Guidelines to police while handling persons with mental illness
2	Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Secretariat, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. apg/102010/337/chh-1 Dated: 30. 12. 2010	Guidelines on official references to persons with disabilities

Women and Children with Disabilities

The government of Gujarat provides assistance of Rs. 40,000 to widowed women with disabilities towards construction of a pukka house (brick, stone and cement house with terrace).[5] This assistance is available once only to women in the age group of 18 to 60 years. The upper limit of the grant is Rs. 50,000 for rural areas and Rs. 70,000 for urban areas. The government also provides grants to widowed women with disabilities in the categories of scheduled caste[6] and scheduled tribe separately.

Widowed women with disabilities fulfilling the following conditions are eligible to apply:

Should have a minimum of 40 per cent disability.
Should possess a plot of land for constructing the house.
Should have resided for at least five years in the area where the house is to be constructed.
Should not be in receipt of benefit under any other housing scheme and should give a written undertaking regarding the same.
Should submit a certificate from a competent authority showing the date of death of her husband.
Should possess a disability certificate and a disability identity card.

The Department of Panchayats and Rural Housing provides assistance for construction of residential units to widowed women with disabilities in rural Gujarat.[8] Under this scheme, assistance of Rs. 54,500 is provided to widowed women with disabilities. The grant also covers labour charges for construction of the residential unit.

Sr. No.	Notification No.	Details
1	Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.21/Chh-1 Dated: 07. 07. 2008	Grant for disabled widows for construction of house
2	Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.22/Chh 1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008	Grant for disabled widows belonging to scheduled caste for construction of house
3	Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.20/Chh 1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008	Grant for disabled widows belonging to scheduled tribe for construction of house
4	Department of Panchayats and Rural Housing, Secretariat, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. prch/102009/819/1 Dated: 30. 06. 2011	Grant for disabled widows for construction of residential unit

Education

As the allowance provided by the central Integrated Education for the Disabled in Secondary Stage (IEDSS) scheme only covers students with disabilities studying in government secondary schools, the government of Gujarat provides additional scholarship for SC students with disabilities studying in Class IX and Class X in private unaided recognised schools. Students are eligible for allowances as listed below:

Category of Scholarship	Amount
Reader allowance for visually impaired students	Rs. 160 per month
Transport allowance (applicable for day scholars)	Rs. 160 per month
Escort allowance for day scholars with 80 per cent or more disabilities	Rs. 160 per month
Helper allowance (any employee of the hostel willing to help students with 80 per cent or more orthopaedic disabilities)	Rs. 160 per month
Coaching allowance for students with mental disabilities and mental health issues	Rs. 240 per month

Applicants should fulfil the following requirements:

Should present the disability certificate from the competent medical authority of the state government.

The total family income of parents or guardians should not exceed Rs. 2,00,000 per annum.

The scholarship will be paid for a period of 10 months in an academic year.

Students with disabilities belonging to scheduled caste[10] or schedule tribe[11] whose parents / guardians have a maximum annual income of Rs. 50,000 are eligible to receive scholarship from the government of Gujarat.

Sr. No.	Notification No.	Details
1	Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. PMS/13/2012/405526/G Dated: 18. 06. 2013	Scholarship for disabled students in SC category in private unaided schools
2	Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.9/Chh 1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008.	Scholarship to disabled students in SC category
3	Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.10/Chh 1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008	Scholarship to disabled students in ST category

Skill Development & Employment

The government of Gujarat has passed a resolution that a 100 number roster will be maintained to provide three per cent reservation for persons with disabilities in direct recruitment. The vacancies of numbers 34, 68 and 100 will be reserved for persons with disabilities.

Sr. No.	Notification No.	Details
1	Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar. Circular No. PVT/102012/138/ROSTER Dated: 18. 06. 2012.	Roster point system for direct recruitment to govt employment

Social Security, Health, Rehabilitation and Recreation

The government provides financial assistance to persons with severe disabilities (80 per cent or more disability) jointly under the Sant Surdas Scheme of the state government and the central Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme.[13]

Under these schemes, persons with severe disabilities in the age group of zero to 17 years are eligible to receive assistance of Rs. 200 per month. Persons with severe disabilities in the age group of 18 to 64 years are eligible to receive assistance of Rs. 400 per month (Rs. 200 under the state scheme and Rs. 200 under the central scheme).

Persons with severe disabilities who are residents of Gujarat and who are below poverty line are eligible for assistance under this scheme.

Persons with disabilities living below poverty line and who are above 64 years of age are eligible to receive old age pension under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme.[14]

The government of Gujarat provides persons with disabilities receiving pension under the Sant Surdas Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme and Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme the option of receiving their pension in their bank accounts, post office accounts or on their doorstep through money orders.[15] Beneficiaries are required to indicate their preferred option to the payment officer in the prescribed format.

The government of Gujarat provides financial assistance of Rs. 4000 to state government employees with orthopaedic disabilities towards purchasing of foldable wheelchair.[16] This assistance is provided once to all employees with disabilities.

Persons with disabilities whose income is less than Rs. 25,000 per annum and who fall in the age group of five to 50 years are eligible for assistance from the government for purchase and fitting of aids and appliances for rehabilitation, and for purchase of educationally and vocationally useful equipment.[17]

This assistance is provided separately to persons with disabilities belonging to the scheduled caste[18] and scheduled tribe[19] categories.

Sr. No.	Notification No.	Details
1	Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution NO. APG/102009/No. 9 to 14/Chh-1 Dated: 13. 08. 2008	Financial assistance to the severely disabled
	Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Secretariat, Gandhi Nagar Circular No. apg/102009/216(1)/chh-1 Dated: 31. 07. 2009	Financial assistance to disabled senior citizens
	Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG-102008-37-Chh.1 Dated: 13. 08. 2008	Assistance to govt employees for purchase of folding wheelchair
	Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102009/216/Chh.1 Dated: 03. 11. 2009	Option of receiving pension through money order
	Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.6/Chh.1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008	Assistance for purchase and fitting of aids and appliances
	Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.7/Chh.1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008	Assistance for purchase and fitting of aids and appliances to persons belonging to SC category
	Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.8/Chh.1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008	Assistance for purchase and fitting of aids and appliances to persons belonging to ST category

Accessibility

The government of Gujarat is yet to implement schemes and policies towards accessibility.

Certification

The Social Security Department under the Social Justice and Empowerment Department issues disability identity cards for persons with disabilities with an income of not more than Rs. 2,50,000 per annum. Applicants should submit proof of income issued by the Namlatdar / Taluka Development Officer and two passport size photographs along with the application.[20]

Employees with disabilities serving with the government or with government aided organisations may submit certificate of income issued by the state / central government offices, government aided organisations and, boards and corporations functioning under the governments or panchayats as proof of income.

Documents such as ration card, true copy of electricity bill, municipal tax bill or receipt of house tax from the gram Panchayat, driving licence or voter ID card may be presented as proof of residence.

Sr. No.	Notification No.	Details
1	Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Secretariat, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. apg/102007/1077/chh-1 Dated: 12. 05. 2008	Disability identity cards

Schemes & Grants for Organisations & Individuals for Disabilities

There are no specific grants or schemes for organisations or individuals operating in the field of disabilities.

Disability Authorities

Gujarat has two authorities responsible for the welfare of persons with disabilities:

Social Justice and Empowerment Department
Commissioner for Disabilities.

[1]. http://www.socialjustice.nic.in/statewisedisabled.php.

[2]. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gujarat.

[3]. The Office of the Police Commissioner, Surat, No. RB/Mentally Ill/4343/2010 Dated: 15. 03. 2010.

[4]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Secretariat, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. apg/102010/337/chh-1 Dated: 30. 12. 2010.

[5]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.21/Chh-1 Dated: 07. 07. 2008.

[6]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.22/Chh 1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008.

[7]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.20/Chh 1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008.

[8]. Department of Panchayats and Rural Housing, Secretariat, Gandhi Nagar. Resolution No. prch/102009/819/1 Dated: 30. 06. 2011.

[9]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar. Resolution No. PMS/13/2012/405526/G Dated: 18. 06. 2013.

[10]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar. Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.9/Chh 1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008.

[11]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar. Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.10/Chh 1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008.

[12]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar. Circular No. PVT/102012/138/ROSTER Dated: 18. 06. 2012.

[13]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar. Resolution NO. APG/102009/No. 9 to 14/Chh-1 Dated: 13. 08. 2008.

[14]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Secretariat, Gandhi Nagar. Circular No. apg/102009/216(1)/chh-1 Dated: 31. 07. 2009.

[15]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar. Resolution No. APG/102009/216/Chh.1 Dated: 03. 11. 2009.

[16]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar. Resolution No. APG-102008-37-Chh.1 Dated: 13. 08. 2008.

[17]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar. Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.6/Chh.1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008.

[18]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar. Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.7/Chh.1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008.

[19]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar. Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.8/Chh.1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008.

[20]. Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Secretariat, Gandhi Nagar. Resolution No. apg/102007/1077/chh-1 Dated: 12. 05. 2008.

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/the-gujarat-chapter

National Resource Kit: The Goa Chapter (Call for Comments)

anandi — 2013-11-07T06:16:40Z

The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Goa.

The chapter is an early draft and is in the process of being reviewed and updated. Comments and feedback are welcome.

Executive Summary

Goa has framed the Goa Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Rules 1997 and has formulated the state policy and plan of action for Differently Abled persons to implement the provisions under the three central laws.

The state policy makes provisions for barrier free access. The state has issued three notifications for education, four notifications for employment and one notification each for health and rehabilitation, social protection and transport.

Legal Provisions
Goa has framed the Goa Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Rules 1997 and has formulated the state policy and plan of action for Differently Abled persons to implement the provisions under the three central laws:

Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995 (Persons with Disabilities Act)
National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities 1999 (National Trust Act)
Rehabilitation Council of India Act 1992

The government has constituted the State Coordination Committee under the chairmanship of the Minister of Social Welfare and the State Executive Committee under the chairmanship of the Secretary – Social Welfare for monitoring and implementation of the various provisions of the Persons with Disabilities Act.

Click to download the full chapter here

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-goa-call-for-comments

National Resource Kit: The Delhi Chapter (Call for Comments)

anandi — 2013-11-12T10:07:33Z

The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Delhi.

Note: The chapter is an early draft and will undergo subsequent modifications. We welcome comments and feedback from our readers.

Executive Summary

The Department of Social Welfare is responsible for the welfare of persons with disabilities in the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Delhi NCT). The territory has an estimated population of 2,35,886[1] persons with disabilities in a total population of 16,753,235 [2] people.The government of Delhi NCT offers two schemes in Education, three schemes in Skill Training & Employment, and five schemes and three services in Social Security, Health, Rehabilitation & Recreation.

Legal Provisions

The government of Delhi NCT has framed the Delhi Persons with Disabilities (Protection of Rights, Equal Opportunities and Full Participation) Rules 2001[3] and the National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Rules 2000.[4]

The various schemes brought out by Delhi NCT for persons with disabilities are listed below.[5]

Education

The government provides scholarships to students with disabilities in the following scale:

Year	Day Scholars (per month)	Hostellers (per month)	Reader Allowance
Class I – Class V	Rs. 50
Class VI – Class VIII	Rs. 70
Class IX – Class XII or equivalent	Rs. 125	Rs. 300	Rs. 150
BA / B Com / B Sc, etc.	Rs. 200	Rs. 400	Rs. 200
Professional Courses / In Plant Training	Rs. 250	Rs. 500	Rs. 250
PG Courses	Rs. 300	Rs. 500	Rs. 250

The government provides three per cent reservation in seats at I. T. I.s for persons with disabilities.

Skill Training & Employment

Delhi NCT provides three per cent reservation in Grade C and Grade D state government posts in direct recruitment for persons with disabilities.
Persons with disabilities are provided ten years relaxation in the upper age limit for applying to state government posts.
The government provides persons with disabilities five per cent reservation in allotment of DDA shops and kiosks. Persons with disabilities are also provided two per cent reservation in allotment of municipality shops.

Social Security, Health, Rehabilitation and Recreation

Persons with disabilities are issued Disability Identity cards at the offices of the sub-divisional magistrates under whose jurisdiction they reside from 9.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. on all working days.[6] Applicants should carry the following at the time of application:

Filled-in application form
Attested photocopy of first three pages of ration card showing proof of three years residence in Delhi
Attested photocopy of medical Certificate in respect of disability from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital, Hindu Rao Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Ram Manoher Lohia Hospital, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences etc.
Two passport size photographs – one should be attested by a gazetted officer
For issuance of duplicate identity card, Rs. 10/- to be deposited with the cashier of District and the receipt should be attached with the application form
Ration Card is required at the time of submission of application form

Persons with disabilities may also apply for Disability Identity card at the offices of the Deputy Commissioner / Additional Commissioner (Disabilities) of their respective districts.[7]

The government has identified the following hospitals for issuing disability certificates:

Lok Nayak Hospital
Aruna Asaf Ali Government Hospital
Hindu Rao Hospital
Satyavadi Raja Harish Chander Hospital (for rural areas)
Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital
Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital, Shastri Nagar
Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya Hospital
Guru Gobind Singh Hospital
Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital
Rao Tula Ram Hospital (for rural areas)
Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital
Dr. Hedgewar Arogya Sansthan, Karkadoona
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital, Rohini
Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Mangolpuri
Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital, Pitampura
Maharishi Valmiki Hospital, Pooth Khurd

Persons with mental illness, mental disabilities and neurological disorders can obtain disability certificates from:

Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences
GB Pant Hospital

Persons with disabilities up to the age of 60 years are eligible to receive financial assistance from the government under the 2009 scheme.[9]

Assistance of Rs. 1000 per month is provided to meet the rehabilitation and daily living requirements to those fulfilling the following requirements:

Disability should be at least 40 per cent
Total family income should not exceed Rs. 75,000 per annum
Should have resided in Delhi for at least five years before applying
Should possess disability certificate from the medical board of a government hospital
Should not be in receipt of similar assistance from another source

Persons with disabilities above the age of 60 years are eligible for financial assistance under the Scheme of Old Age Assistance. [10] Under this scheme persons in the age range of 60 to 69 years are eligible for a monthly pension of Rs. 1000 and persons 70 years and above are eligible for a pension of Rs. 1500 per month. Beneficiaries will be automatically transferred from the disability pension scheme upon completion of 60 years to the old age pension scheme. Likewise, upon completion of 69 years, beneficiaries will be automatically eligible for the higher pension. Applicants fulfilling the following conditions may apply in the prescribed format with proof of domicile, age and income:

Should have resided in Delhi NCT for the last five years
Total family income should not exceed Rs. 60,000 per annum
Should not be in receipt of pension from any other source

All voluntary organisations working for persons with disabilities will have to register with the department to be recognised by the Social Welfare Department under the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995.[11]

The Joint Director (Social Welfare) is the competent authority for this purpose. Organisations fulfilling the following conditions are eligible to apply to the office of the District Social Welfare officer:

Should have been in the field for not less than three years
Should be already registered under the relevant law
Should have a properly constituted managing body according to its written constitution
Should be a non profit organisation
Should be able to run the organisation without funding from the government
Professionals should be RCI registered
Premises should be disability friendly and have barrier free access
Should have audited accounts for the last three years

The Department of Social Welfare organises disability camps annually in association with government hospitals, DTC, Department of Education, Office of the Divisional Commissioner, National Trust, Indian Railways and disability NGOs.[12] The following services are provided at the camps:
Disability certificate from the government hospital of the area

DTC passes
Identity card from the office of the DC
Registration in integrated school
Railways concession pass
Services for autism and cerebral palsy
Aids and Appliances
Forms to avail various schemes

Persons with disabilities are provided one per cent reservation in allotment of DDA plots.

DTC issues free passes for persons with disabilities. Escorts for persons with visual impairment are given 50 per cent concession.

Persons with disabilities who are owners of vehicles are exempted from payment of road tax.

[1].http://socialjustice.nic.in/statewisedisabled.php

[2].http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/censusinfodashboard/stock/profiles/en/IND007_NCT%20of%20Delhi.pdf

[3].No. F.2 (DDHW)/DSW/PDA/Pt.I/1949 dated 27.12.2001

[4].GSR 639(E) dated 26.7.2000.

[5].http://punarbhava.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=150&Itemid=89

[6].http://www.delhigovt.nic.in/dept/pubserv/Handicap.asp

[7].http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_socialwelfare/SocialWelfare/Home/Our+Services/Welfare+of+Persons+with+Disabilities/Office+for+Issuance+of+I-Card

[8].http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_socialwelfare/SocialWelfare/Home/Our+Services/Welfare+of+Persons+with+Disabilities/Hospitals+for+Issuance+of+Disability+Certificates

[9].http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_socialwelfare/SocialWelfare/Home/Our+Services/Welfare+of+Persons+with+Disabilities/Schemes

[10].http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/DOIT_SocialWelfare/socialwelfare/home/our+services/financial+assistance+welfare+scheme+details+and+notifications+etc.

[11].http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_socialwelfare/SocialWelfare/Home/Our+Services/Welfare+of+Persons+with+Disabilities/Registration+Certificate+Under+Section+52+of+Disability+Act

[12].http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_socialwelfare/SocialWelfare/Home/Our+Services/Welfare+of+Persons+with+Disabilities/Disability+Camps

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/the-delhi-chapter

National Resource Kit: The Daman & Diu Chapter (Call for Comments)

anandi — 2013-11-07T09:09:05Z

The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the union territory of Daman and Diu.

Executive Summary

The Department of Social Welfare is responsible for the welfare of persons with disabilities in Daman & Diu. The union territory has an estimated population of 3171[1] persons with disabilities of a total population of 242,911.[2] Daman & Diu implements one scholarship scheme in Education, two schemes in Skill Training and Employment and two schemes in Social Security, Health, Rehabilitation and Recreation.

Legal Provisions

The Director of Social Welfare issues photo identity cards for persons with disabilities in Daman & Diu. The various provisions for persons with disabilities are listed below:

Education

1.1 Students with disabilities are eligible for scholarships under the central scheme of Integrated Education for Disabled Children as given in the following table.

Year	Books & Stationery (Yearly)	Other Allowances (Yearly)	Uniforms (Yearly)
Class I – Class IV	Rs. 300	Rs. 100	Rs. 200
Class V – Class VIII	Rs. 350	Rs. 150	Rs. 200
Class IX – First Year UG	Rs. 850	-	-
Second Year UG – Final Year UG	Rs. 1250	-	-
Technical Education	Rs. 1700	-	-

Skill Training and Employment

2.1 The government provides three per cent reservation for persons with disabilities in Grade C and Grade D government posts in direct recruitment. Reservations are provided at one per cent for visually impaired, one per cent for hearing impaired and one per cent for locomotor disabled.

2.2 Persons with disabilities are eligible for age relaxation of up to ten years in upper age limit for applying to government positions.

2.3 Persons with disabilities are provided an assistance of up to Rs. 5000 for self employment. 25 per cent of the amount is provided as subsidy while 75 per cent of the amount is provided as interest free loan. Persons with disabilities applying for the loan should have annual income less than Rs. 6000. Assistance is provided for the following options as listed.

Business	Assistance
Cycle shop	Rs. 2500
Tailoring shop	Rs. 2500
Purchase of typewriter	Rs. 4000
Cottage industries	Rs. 3000
Setting up of kiosks / handcarts	Rs. 5000

Social Security, Health, Rehabilitation and Recreation

3.1 The government provides a disability pension of Rs. 60 per month for persons with disabilities who are above the age of 55 years.

3.2 Students with disabilities are eligible for free transportation in government and private buses. Persons with disabilities and their escorts are eligible for 50 per cent concession in transportation.

[1]. http://socialjustice.nic.in/statewisedisabled.php

[2]. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daman_and_Diu

[3].http://punarbhava.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=158&Itemid=87

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/daman-diu-chapter