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Information about Schemes for Disabled Persons in Haryana

praskrishna — 2013-03-14T05:47:25Z

Find below copies of the notifications received from the Government of Haryana regarding schemes and policies for persons with disabilities.

HARYANA GOVERNMENT

SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HARYANA

No. GA.I SW. 71, Dated, Chandigarh

The Governor of Haryana is pleased to make the following rules for the administration of the two blind institutions; namely (i) Government Institute for the Blind, Panipat and (ii) Training Centre for the Adult Blind Sonipat . These rules shall come into operation with immediate effect.
The aim of these rules is to regulate the administration of the blind institutions referred above in order to provide maintenance, education and training to such of the blind children and adults who do not have adequate mans for the maintenance, Education or training so as to enable them to become self sufficient, The sanctioned capacity of each Home shall be 100 or such other number as may be fixed by Government from time to time.
(i) The following categories of persons shall be eligible for admission to these institutions:-
(a)   Blind children of the age group of 6-18 in the Government Institute for the Blind, Panipat, and
(b)   Adult blinds of the age group of 16-40 years in the Training Centre for the Adult Blind, at Sonepat.
Provided that the monthly income of parents of such boys/adults do not exceed RS. 500/- p.m where the income of a parents/guardian exceeds the prescribed limit, admission shall be allowed if the parents/guardians fare willing to pay maintenance charges of the boys at the rate of RS. 30/- p.m.
(ii)   Admission to these institutions shall be open to the persons belonging to the State of Haryana or those who have domiciled and have resided in the State for the past six months or over.
Application for admission to these Homes shall be submitted in form Annexure A’ by the father or guardian of the intending applicant which shall be accompanied with the following documents, to the Deputy Commissioners or S.D.O (Civil) or Tehsildars concerned. The requisite application from shall be obtainable fee of charge from any of the aforementioned authorities or the office of the Director, Social Welfare Haryana, Chandigarh.
(i)   A certificate from a Government Doctor stating that the applicant is blind within the meaning of the following definitions;
(ii)   Total absence of sight;
(iii)   Visual equity not exceeding 3/60 or 10/200 (Snellen) in the better eye with correcting lenses.
It shall be the responsibility of the Authorities mentioned in par 4 above to carry out detailed enquiries into the financial position of each applicant and into other particulars given in the application form. These authorities shall forward the application with their detailed recommendations to the Director, Social Welfare. The application received in the Social Welfare Directorate shall be registered.
The Director Social Welfare shall be the authority competent to Sanction or reject the request for admission on the basis of the recommendations made by the local officers mentioned in para 4 above or such other authority as the sanctioning authority may consider appropriate. Decision of the Director, Social Welfare shall be final.
The persons admitted into the Government institutions for Blind, Panipat shall be eligible for maintenance up to the age of 16 years or till they complete their education upto middle standard, which ever is earlier, while those admitted into the Training Centre for the Adult Blind, Sonepat shall eligible for maintenance/training for a period of 2 years form the date of their admission. Extension in the period of maintenance in the Tanning centre for the Adult Blind beyond the limit of 52 years shall be allowed six months by the Director, Social Welfare.
All those who are allowed admission to these Homes shall be provided with free food, care, education or training. Medical aid and other facilities as are essentially required. The maintenance chares which are presently Rs. 22.50 per menses per head can be reduced or increased according to prevailing conditions.
The amount of maintenance charges from the inmates whose parents/Guardians have a monthly income exceeding Rs. 500/- p.m. shall be recoverable as in Rule 3 above, each month is advance and the amount thus realized shall be credited into Government Treasury under the appropriate receipt head of account.
The inmates of the Government Institute for the Blind, Panipat, who after passing their Middle Standard Examination want to continue their studies in other local schools functioning in the State, will be granted a monthly scholarship of Rs. 70/ p.m. per head, to cover their educational, boarding and lodging expenses etc till they complete their education upto metric or Higher Secondary Part II, provided a student is below the age of 24 years.
The Director, Social Welfare, Haryana will be the authority competent to sanction or reject the request for scholarship . Decisions of the Director, Social Welfare, Haryana shall be final.
A scholarship shall normally be cancelled if the scholar fails to pass in an annual examination of if his/her progress continues to be unsatisfactory for a periods of one year in spite warning.
In the case of renewal of scholarship of the succeeding year, scholarship will be paid from the months following that for which the scholarship was paid during the previous academic year.
The scholarship will be available form the date of admission up to the months of annual final examination for the first academic year.
These rules have been framed in consultation with the Finance Department vide the U.O advice No. ____________________________________ dated__________________________.

Sd/-
Secretary to Government, Haryana. Social Welfare Department.

DIRECTORATE OF SOCIAL WELFARE,
HARYANA, NOTIFICATION

No. 1971 /DDSW-GA-II/71 The Governor of Haryana is pleased make the following rules namely “Scholarships to the physically handicapped” which will come into force wit effect from Ist April, 1968. These rules are incorporating the amendments made from time to time and shall be applicable throughout the State of Haryana.

DEFINITIONS

The blind are those who suffer from the following conditions:-

The Blind

a) Total absence of sight.

b) Visual acuity not exceeding 3/60 to 10/200 (Sheller ) in the better eye with correcting.

The Deaf

The deaf are those in whom the sense of hearing is on functional for the ordinary purpose in life.

The Orthopaedically Handicapped

The orthopaedically handicapped are those who have a physical defect or deformity which cause an interference with the normal functioning of the bones, muscles and joints.

2. AIMS AND OBJECTS

The main purpose of these scholarships is to assist physically handicapped persons to secure such edu.cation, technical or professional training as would enable them to earn a living and become useful member or Society.

3. SUBJECT OF SCHOLARSHIPS

a) The Blind students upto the age of 20 years shall be eligible for scholarships for general education upto Metric/Higher Secondary.
b) The deaf. The Dear students upto the age of 20 years shall be eligible for scholarships for general education upto Metric/Higher Secondary.
c) The Orthopaedically Handicapped. The Orthopaedically Handicapped students upto the age of 20 years shall be eligible for scholarships upto Matric/ Higher Secondary stage. For further education the stipends are granted by the Government of India, Department of Social Welfare. The rate of Scholarships will be as under:-

4. Rate of Scholarships pear month.

Category of

1.8.72
Handicapped

Existing rates
Upto From High/ Pri- 5^th to Higher marry Middle Secondary
(From standard Ist to 4^th Class)

Revised rates w.e.f
Upto from High/ Primary 5^th Higher (From Middle Secondary Ist to Stand Classes. 4^th Class.)

i) Deaf & Dumb	Rs.35/-	Rs. 40/-	Rs. 45	40/-	45/-	50/-
ii) Orthopaedically handicapped	Rs.35/-	Rs. 40/-	Rs. 50/-	40/-	45/-	50/-
iii) Blind	Rs. 35/-	Rs. 50/-	Rs.70/-	45/-	55/-	75/-

Note:- There is no school for deaf & Dumb in Haryana State, the scholarships shall be paid to such students who shall received education in the schools/ institutions outside the Haryana State.

5. CONDITIONS.

A)      The candidate applying for scholarships under this scheme shall be resident of Haryana State and shall be blind, dear or orthopaedically handicapped as defined in rule I.
B)   Scholars selected for a scholarship under this scheme shall not be on receipt of assistance from any other Voluntary or State / Central source either in cash or by way of free board or lodging. Exemptions from fees shall not, however, be taking into account. Before the amount of scholarships is actually released, the father/guardians will have to be furnished a certificate in the prescribed form (Appendix A) duly attested by Gazetted Officer in the State or Central Government or by a first Class Magistrate.
C)   Scholarships under this scheme shall be tenable to any educational institutions recognized or approved by the State Governments or affiliated to a University. No scholarship under this scheme shall be awarded for study outside the State.
D) The Government will have the power to relax the conditions of grant of scholarships where it considers that a particular rule operates harshly upon a student in any way.

6. APPLICATIONS.

A) Applications shall be invited by the Director, Social Welfare Haryana, through announcements in the press. All applications should be made in the prescribed form (Appendix) B( ) and should reach the Director, Social Welfare, Haryana, by the date prescribed.
B) Preference shall be given to candidate who are already studying in recognised education institutions. The applications should be forwarded through the Heads of the Institutions in which the candidate is studying.

7. DOCUMENTS TO ACCOMPANY EACH APPLICATION
Every application shall be accompanied by the following documents.

a) MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.
A certificate that he applicant is blind, deaf or orthopaedically handicapped within the manning of the definition given in the rules from a registered medical practioner. If an applicant is selected, he shall be required to produce a Medical Certificate ( Appendix C-I, C-II, C-III) from a Government or private eye specialist, E.N.T. Specialist or orthopaedic surgeon as the case may be.

b) INCOME CERTIFICATE
A certificate in from Appendix upto from a Revenue officer not below the rank of Naib Tehsildar or any other officer of equivalent status, or an affidavit attested by first Class Magistrate or a certificate from a Gazetted Officer indicating the monthly income of both the parents or guardians of the scholar. The rate of scholarship from the various income groups is under:-

Income of both parents /guardians	Rate of scholarship
Upto Rs. 500/- P.M.	Full Rate
Between Rs. 501/- to 750/- P.M.	Two third rate (2/3)
Between Rs. 751/- to Rs. 1,000/-	Half Rate (1/2)

No. scholarship shall be paid to a candidate in case the monthly combined monthly income of this/ her parents/ guardians exceeds Rs. 1,000/

c ) EVIDENCE OF AGE

Any of the following shall be accepted as an evidence of age.

CERTIFICATE FROM

I) The Head of the educational institution last attended.

II) a gazetted officer.

III) a member of the State legislature, or

IV) an affidavit attested by a First Calls Magistrate.

Note:- At the time of applying for the grant of scholarship for the first time the Medical Certificate will be required and thereafter no Medical Certificate will be required for the subsequent years.

8. AWARDS
A) All application shall be considered by the Social Welfare Directorate. The orders of the Director, Social Welfare, regarding the grant of scholarships or rejection or suspension, through final, shall be subject to appeal to the Government.
B) Every selected scholar shall be informed of the duration for which he has been awarded a scholarship. The scholarships shall normally be available for the completion of Matric/ Higher Secondary Education subject to the availability of funds and to the scholars satisfactory conduct and progress.

9. PAYMENT
The Scholarship will be available from the month of admission upto the month of annual /final examination for the first academic year.

PROVIDED THAT:-

I) If a scholar joins an institution on or before the 20^th day of a month full scholarship money will be paid to him/ her for that month. But if he/ she joins the institution after the 20^th day of the month, no scholarship money will be paid to him/ her for that month.
II) In the case of renewal of scholarship for the succeeding year scholarship will be paid from the month following that for which the scholarships was paid during the Previous academic year.
III) The Head of the Institution shall obtain from the scholarship stamped receipt (Appendix Age) in duplicate in taken of having received the amount and shall forward a copy thereof to the Director, Social Welfare, Haryana, Chandigarh by the 10^th of each month for record.
IV) In case of misutilisation of any grant, Government shall reserve the right or recovering the same.

10. LEAVE DUE TO ILINESS.
a) For continue absence for a periods not exceeding three months. the scholarships shall be paid in full provided the request for leave is supported by a certificate from a registered medical practitioner.

11. PROGRESS REPORT
a) The Head of the Institution shall forward to the Director, Social Welfare, Haryana, Chandigarh, separately in respect of every scholar in his/her charge a quarterly progress report in the form given in Appendix age.
b) If the progress of a scholar is not satisfactory it shallow, be responsibility of the Head of the Institution where the scholar is studying to issue monthly warnings to him/ her to the effect that unless the scholar improve is/ her scholarship shall be cancelled.

12. RENEWAL AND CANCELLATIONS
a) A scholarship shall normally be cancelled if the scholar fails to pass in an annual examination of if his/ her progress continues to be unsatisfactory for a period of one year inspire warnings.
b) It shall be discretion of the Director, Social Welfare, Haryana, to renew the scholarship for such period as he considers fit if it is found that the failure of a scholar or his/ her unsatisfactory progress was due to circumstances beyond, his/ her control. Such renewals shall normally be made on the advice or the Head or the Institutions where the scholar is studying.

13. GENERAL
The State Government reserve the right to amount these rules without notice.

Sd/-
Secretary to Government, Haryana
Social Welfare Deptt.

The Financial Commissioner, & Secretary to Govt. Haryana, Social welfare Department.

The Director,
Social Defence & Security Department,
Haryana, Chandigarh.

No. 992 SW-(3)/93
Chandigarh, dated the 13/5/93

Subject:- Grant of scholarship under state sector- Amendments therein.

In continuation of Haryana Govt. Social Welfare Deptt. Sanction order No. 3924- SW-(I)-85 dated 25.10.85 on the subject.

Sanction of Governor of Haryana is hereby accorded to amend the rules and income criteria under the scheme scholarship to physically handicapped students under state sector who are receiving education in various Govt. / recognised educational institutions in the state under subject to the condition that the expenditure involved would be met from the savings of the department :-

Rule-I:- Definitions The blind are those who suffer from the flowing.

The Blind conditions:

a) Total absence of sight.

b) Visual acuity not exceeding 3/60 to 10/200 (Snallen in the better eye with correcting lenses.

The Deaf: The deaf are those whom the sense of hearing is non functional for the ordinary purpose in life.

Orthopaedically The orthopaedically handicapped are those who handicapped. have physical defect or deformity which cause an interference with the normal functioning of bones, musicales and joints.

(Scholars having disability less than 40% will not be awarded scholarship.

Rule-6(i) Rule-6 may be under as rule 6(i)

Rule (ii) Corse of studying:

a) The education from Ist class to Middle standard is divided into tow study courses i.e. from Ist Primary class to Vth class VIth to class VIIIth (Primary and Middle courses respectively)

b) The students will apply only once in a particular course of study for scholarship n particular class and will continue to receive scholarship on the basis of the annual Progress Report till the completion of the particular course of study. He/she will have to the particular course of study. He/ she will have to apply afresh only on the change of course of study i.e. in 6^th class (Middle course of study).

Rule-7: Documents to accompany each application.
Evert application shall be accompanied by the following documents at the start of the particular course of study i.e. from Ist class and VIth class.

b) A certificate in form (Appendix-D) from a Revenue officer not below the rank of Naib Tehsildar or any other officer of equivalent status, or an affidavit attested by a Ist class Magistrate or a certificate from a Gazetted officer indicating the monthly income of both the parents or the Guardians of the scholar. The rate or the Guardians of the scholar. The rate of scholarship for the various income groups is as under:-

Sr. No.	Income of both the parents	Rate of scholarship per month.
1	Income upto Rs. 4000/- P.M.	Full rate
2	Income above Rs. 4000/- P.M.	No scholarship will be awarded.

No scholarship will be awarded to a candidate in case of monthly combined income of his/ her parents/ guardians exceeds Rs. 4000/- per month.

Rule 11. Progress Report

a) The Head of the Institution shall forward to the Director, Social Defence & Security, Haryana, Chandigarh Separately in the succeeding year of the course of study i.e. 2^nd,3^rd, 4^th and 5^th year of the primary course of study ad in VII and VIII the year of the Middle course of study in respect of every scholar in his/ her Annual Progress Report of every scholar in his/ her Annual Progress Report in the form given in appendix- F (Revised Performa attached.

3. The expenditure involve would be debatable out of the following head of accounts:

i) “2235- Social Security & Welfare -02- Social Welfare- Part-I-State Pla Scheme-101- Welfare of Handicapped Social Defence & Security Directorate-(i) – Scholarship to physically handicapped students – scholarships.”

ii) “2235-Social Security & welfae-02- Social Welfare- 101- Welfare of handicapped – Social Defence & Security Directorate-(v) – Scholarships to physically handicapped students scholarship-Non-Plan.”

This issues with the concurrence of Finance Department conveyed vide their U.O. No. 1/122/85-FG/2841 dated 18.12.92.

Sd/-

Joint Secretary, for Financial Commissioner & Secy. to Govt.Haryana, Social Welfare Department.

Endst. No. 992/SW/-(I)- 97, Chandigarh the 13/5/93

A copy as above is forwarded for information and necessary action to the:-

Accountant General ( A&E) , Haryana, Chandigarh.
Accountant General (Audit), Haryana, Chandigarh.
All District Social Welfare Officers in the State.

Sd/-

Joint Secretary, for Financial Commissioner & Secy. to Govt. Haryana, Social Welfare Department.

From

The commissioner & Secy. to Govt. Haryana.
Social Welfare Department.

The Director,
Social Defence & Security Department,
Haryana, Chandigarh.

Memo No. 1508 SW/Dated, Chandigarh the 1-8-94

Subject:- Grant of Scholarship under State Sector- Amendments there of.

In continuation of Haryana Govt. Social Welfare Deptt. sanction order NO. 992-SW(i)/93, dated 13.5.93 on the subject.

Sanction of the Governor of Haryana is hereby accorded to amend the Rules under the Scheme “ Scholarships to Physically Handicapped Students under State Sector who are receiving education in various Govt. / recognized Educational Institutions in the State, as under, subject to the condition that he expenditure involved would be met from the savings of the Department:-

Rules -9 payment

The scholarship will be available to each students from the month of April to the month of March i.e. for full academic years, subject to the condition that fee is paid for full academic year.

provided that

(i) & (ii) deleted.

(iii) The head of the Institution shall obtain from the scholar stamped receipt ( Appendix ‘E’) in duplicate in taken of having received the amount and shall forward a copy there of to the District Social Welfare officer of the respective district by the 10^th of the next month, for record.

(iv) No Change.

Sd/-

Joint Secretary, for Commissioner & Secy. to Govt. Haryana
Social Welfare Department.

Endst. NO. Dated, Chandigarh the

A copy is forwarded to the following for information and necessary action:-

1. Accountant General ( A&E) Audit) Haryana, Chandigarh.

2. All District Social Welfare officer in the Haryana.

Sd/-

Joint Secretary,

for Commissioner & Secy. to Govt. Haryana

Social Welfare Department.

TO BE SUBSTITUTED BEARING SAME NO. & DATE.

From

The Commissioner & Secy. to Govt. Haryana.
Social Welfare Department.

The Director,
Social Defence & Security Department,
Haryana, Chandigarh.

Memo NO. 758-SW(1) 95
Dated, Chandigarh, 31-3-95

Subject:- Grant of Scholarship to the Physically Handicapped students from Ist class to and the class to higher studies.

In continuation of Haryana Government Social Welfare Department sanction order No. 8550-53-GA-ii (SW-72 dated 2.8.72 and Memo No. 3924-SW(1)-85, dated 25.10.85, No. 992- SW(1)93, dated 13.5.93 and NO. 1258-SW(1)94, dated 13.694, sanction of the Governor of Haryana is herby accorded to revise the rates of scholarship to the physically Handicapped students receiving education in the various Govt. / Recognised Schools/ Colleges in the State with effect from 1.10.94 as desired by P.A.C. as under, subject to the condition that the expenditure involved on this account would be met from the savings of the department:-

Rates of Scholarship from Ist Class to VIII Class.

Sr. No.	Nature of the Disability		Upto Primary Class from Ist to IV Class & V Class	Upto Middle from VI Class to 8^th Class.
1	Deaf & Dumb	Rs. 100/-	120/-	120/-
2	Orthopeadically	Rs. 100/-	120/-	120/-
3	Blind	Rs. 100/-	150/-	150/-
4	Mentally Retarded Children	Rs. 100/-	100/-	100/-

Rates of Scholarship from IX Class to Higher studies

Type of Courses	Rates of Scholarship per month for day scholars	Rates for month hostellers	Readers allowance for Visually6 Handicapped only pr month
Class IX, X Pre- University Course and IA/ SC	Rs. 125/-	Rs. 150/-	Rs. 50/-
BA/B.Sc. / B.Com. etc.	Rs. 200/-	Rs. 225/-	75/-
B.E/ B.Tech./ M.B.B.S./L.L.B./ B.Ed. Diploma in professional and Engineering Studies etc. in plan Training	Rs. 250/-	Rs. 300/-	Rs. 100/-
M.A./ M.Sc. / M. Com. L.L.M. / M Ed. etc.	Rs. 300/-	Rs. 400/-	Rs. 100/-

The expenditure involved would be debatable out of the saving under the head: “2235-Social Security & Welfare-02-Social Welfare (SDS-101-Welfare of Handicapped )- (iii) Scholarship to Physically Handicapped students –Non- Plan and

“2235-Social Security & Welfare- 02-Social Welfare (SDS)-101-Welfare of Handicapped Part-I-State Plan Scheme (i) Scholarship to physically Handicapped students Plan”

This issues with the concurrence of Finance Department conveyed of their U.O. No. 3/2/92/3FG-II/741 dated 31.3.95.

Sd/-

Joint Secretary for Commissioner & Secy. to Govt. Haryana,
Social Welfare Department.

From

The Commissioner & Secy. to Govt. Haryana.
Social Welfare Department.

The Director,
Social Defence & Security Department,
Haryana, Chandigarh.

Memo NO. 219-SW(1) 96
Dated, Chandigarh, 31-2-96

Subject:- Enhancement of Income Criteria of the parent / guardians from Rs. 2000/- to 6000/- per month for the grant of scholarships to Physically Handicapped students studying in the higher classes/ diploma course.

In continuation of Haryana Govt., Social Welfare Deptt. order No. 750-SW(1)-95, dated 31-3-95 the Governor of Haryana is pleased to increased income Criteria of the parents/guardians from RS. 2000/- to 6000/- per month for the grant of scholarships to physically handicapped students studying in the higher classes, diploma courses with effect from 1.4.95, (9^th class onward.)

2. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Deptt. conveyed vide their U.O. No 3/2/92-3FG-II/2610, dated 4.1.96.

Sd/- Joint Secretary

for Commissioner & Secy. to Govt. Haryana,
Social Welfare Department.

Endst. No. 219-SW(1) -96 Dated, 13.2.96

A copy is forwarded to the following for information for a necessary action:-

Accountant General (ASE/ AUDIT), Haryana, Chandigarh.
All Deputy Commissioner in the Haryana state.
All District Social Welfare Officers in the Haryana Sate.
All Deputy Director at Head Quarter.
All Superintendent at Head Quarter.
Senior Accounts Officer, Head Quarter.

Sd/- Joint Secretary
for Commissioner & Secy. to Govt. Haryana, Social Welfare Department.

From

The Commissioner & Secy. to Govt. Haryana.
Social Welfare Department.

The Director,
Social Defence & Security Department,
Haryana, Chandigarh.

Memo NO. 3422-SW(1) 2002
Dated, Chandigarh, 25.11.2002

Subject:- Enhancement in the rates of Scholarships for Blind students Hostlers & Readers allowance to Blind students studying in the higher classes, diploma course w.e.f. 1.11.2002

In continuation of Haryana Govt. Social Welfare Department order No. 758-SW(1) 95 dated 31.3.95 and 219 SW(1) 96 dated 13.2.96. The Governor of Haran is pleased to increase the rates of scholarships (Hostlers & Reader’s allowances) to only blind students studying in the higher classes, diploma course w.e.f 1. 11..2002 (9^th class onwards) as under:-

Rates of scholarship from 9^th class to higher studies.

Rates of Scholarship

1	2	3	4
Type of Course	Rate per month for day scholars Not revised	Rate per month for hostellers Revised w.e.f. 1.11.02 (only for Blinds)	Readers allowance for Visually (blinds) Handicapped only per month

1. Class IX, X, Pre-University Course and I.A./I.Sc.	125/-	300/-	150/-
2. B.A/ B.Sc / B.Com. etc.	200/-	400/-	200/-
3. B.Ed/ B.Tech. / MBBS/ L.L.B/ B.Ed. Diploma in Professional and Engineering studies etc./ In Plan training	250/-	500/-	250/-
4. M.A/ M. Sc/ M.Com/ LLM/ M.Ed etc.	300/-	500/-	250/-

The expenditure would be debatable out of saving under the head “ 2235- Social Security & Welfare -02 Social Welfare- 101-Welfare of Handicapped- (iv) Scholarship to Physically Handicapped students Non Plan (SJE)” and “ 2235—Social Welfare -101- Welfare of Handicapped Part I State.

Plan Scheme – (iii Scholarship to Physically Handicapped students Plan (SJE).

The issues with concurrence of Finance Department conveyed vide of their U.O. No. 3292 3 FG II(2397) dated 29.10.02

Sd/-
Joint Secretary for Commissioner & Secy. to Govt. Haryana,
Social Welfare Department.

Endst. No. 3422- SW(1) 2002 dated 25.11.2002

Accountant forward to the following for information & necessary action:-
1.    Accountant General ( A&E Audit, Haryana, Chandigarh.
2.    All Deputy Commissioners in the Haryana State.
3.    All Distt. Social Welfare Officers in the Haryana State.
4.    All Deputy Director at Headquarter.
5.    Senior Accounts Officer Head Quarter.

Sd/-
Joint Secretary for Commissioner & Secy. to Govt. Haryana, Social Welfare Department.
A copy is forwarded to the Finance Commissioner & Secretary to Govt. Haryana Finance Department with reference to his U.O.No 3292 3 FG II(2397) dated 29.10.02 F.G.
Sd/-
Joint Secretary for Commissioner & Secy. to Govt. Haryana, Social Welfare Department.

To
Financial Commissioner Secretary Govt.
Haryana Finance Department
No. 3422   SW(1) 2002 dated 25.11.2002

From

The Financial Commissioner & Principal Secretary,
to Govt. Haryana, Social Justice & Empowerment Department.

To
The Director, Social Justice & Empowerment Department, Haryana.
Memo No. 483-SW(I)-10
Chandigarh, dated 20-10-2010.

Subject: Enhancement in the Rates of Scholarship and income criteria of the parents/guardians for the Handicapped Students.
In continuation of Haryana Govt. Social Justice & Empowerment Department letter No. 3422-SW(I)2001 dated 25-11-2002 and instructions issued thereof from time to time, the Governor of Haryana is pleased to increase the rates of scholarship to the physically Handicapped Students of Haryana State studying in various classes of various Govt./Recognized Schools, Colleges in the State w.e.f. 1-4-2010, as per details given below:-

Sr. No.	Type of class	Rates of Scholarship for day scholars per month	Rate of scholarship for hostellers per month	Reader allowance for visually handicapped only per month.
1	Class I-IV	300/-	-	-
2	Class-V-VIII	400/-	-	-
3	Class- IX-XII	500/-	600/-	300/-
4	B.A/B.Sc/B.Com	600/-	800/-	400/-
5	B.E/B.Tech./MBBS/LLB/B.Ed and diploma in professional & engineering studies etc.	800/-	1000/-	500/-
6	MA/MSC/M.Com/LLM/M.Ed/M.Tech, etc	1000/-	1000/-	500/-

2. The revised Rates of the scholarship will be subject to the condition that income criteria of the parents/guardians of handicapped students is hereby fixed Rs. 10,000/- p.m.

3. The expenditure involved would be debitable to the head"2235 Social Security and welfare-02-Social welfare (Social Justice & Empowerment Department Haryana) 101-Welfare of Handicapped-97(iv) Scholarship to Physically Handicapped Students-Non Plan 2010-11.

4. This issue with the concurrence of Finance Department conveyed vide their U.O. NO. 3/2/92-3FG-II/1950 dated 24-9-2010.

Sd/- Deputy Secretary,
Financial Commissioner & Principal Secretary, to Govt. Haryana,
Social Justice & Empowerment Department

Endst. NO. 483-SW(I) 2010 Chandigarh, dated the 20-10-2010

A copy of above is forwarded to the following for information and necessary action;-
1.    Accountant General (A&E)/Audit, Haryana, Chandigarh.
2.    Joint Director, at Headquarter.
3.    Chief Account Officer, Budget, at Headquarter.
4.    All District Social Welfare Officer in the State.

Sd/-
Deputy Secretary,
Financial Commissioner & Principal Secretary to Govt. Haryana,
Social Justice & Empowerment Department

A copy forwarded to the Financial Commissioner & Principal Secretary to Govt. Haryana, Finance Department with reference to his U.O. No. 3/2/92-3FG-II/1950 dated 24-9-2010.

Sd/-
Deputy Secretary,
Financial Commissioner & Principal Secretary, to Govt. Haryana,
Social Justice & Empowerment Department

To
The Financial Commissioner & Principal Secretariat to Govt. Haryana, Finance Department.
No. 483 -SW(1) 2010 Chandigarh, dated the 20-10-2010

From
The Financial Commissioner & Principal Secretary,
to Govt. Haryana, Social Justice & Empowerment Department.

To
The Director, Social Justice & Empowerment Department,
Haryana.

Memo No. 848-SW(4)-2011
Chandigarh, dated 28-11-2011.

Subject: Enhancement in the Rates of Scholarship and income criteria of the parents/guardians for the Handicapped Students.
In continuation of Haryana Govt. Social Justice & Empowerment Department letter No. 483-SW(I)2010 dated 20-10-2010 and instructions issued thereof from time to time, the Governor of Haryana is pleased to increase the rates of scholarship to the physically Handicapped Students of Haryana State studying in various classes of various Govt./Recognized Schools, Colleges in the State w.e.f. 2012-2013 as per details given below:-

Sr. No	Type of class	Rates of Scholarship for day scholars per month	Rate of scholarship for hostellers per month	Reader allowance for visually handicapped only per month
1	Class I-IV	400/-	-	-
2	Class-V-VIII	500/-	-	-
3	Class- IX-XII	600/-	600/-	300/-
4	B.A/B.Sc/B.Com	600/-	800/-	400/-
5	B.E/B.Tech./MBBS/LLB/B.Ed and diploma in professional & engineering studies etc	800/-	1000/-	500/-
6	MA/MSC/M.Com/LLM/M.Ed/M.Tech etc	1000/-	1000/-	500/-

2. The revised rates of the scholarship will be subject to the condition that income criteria of the parents/guardians of handicapped students is hereby fixed Rs. 10,000/- p.m.
3. The expenditure involved would be debitable to the head"2235 Social Security and welfare-02-Social welfare (Social Justice & Empowerment Department Haryana) 101-Welfare of Handicapped-97(iv) Scholarship to Physically Handicapped Students-Non Plan 2012-13.
4. The issued with the concurrence of Finance Department conveyed vide their U.O. NO. 3/2/92-3FG-II/1865 dated 18-10-2011.

Sd/-
Deputy Secretary,
Financial Commissioner & Principal Secretary, to Govt. of Haryana,
Social Justice & Empowerment Department

HARYANA GOVERNMENT
SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT

No. 1344- SW(1) -81:- The Governor of Haryana is pleased to formulate the following rules governing the scheme for the grant of Unemployment Allowance to the Physically Handicapped persons.

Objectives
It is observed that the Employment of the Handicapped is very meagre. The employers show reluctance to employ them even if the handicapped possess requisite qualifications. Their period of wait after the completion of education and training is also unduly long. In order to mitigate the economic difficulties faced by the handicapped, maintenance grant will be given to all the educated physically handicapped persons who are qualified to get jobs but are not able to find employment due to various reasons.
The department is also implementing a scheme for grant of educational scholarship to the blind. Financial assistance being given under the state Govt. and Govt. of India’s Scheme. The rate of unemployment allowance Rs. 50/- to matriculates, Rs. 100/- to Graduate / Diploma holders and Rs. 150/- to post-graduate will not in any way discourage the handicapped persons from seeking further education. This scheme is to be implemented with effect from 1-4-1981.

II-Eligibility
All educated unemployed, applicants shall be eligible for the grant of unemployment allowance who are physically handicapped in accordance with the criteria given in Appendix-I and are enrolled:-
(a) An applicant should not be availing of financial assistance under any pension, maintenance or scholarship scheme of the State or Central Government or from any other organisati0on or agency;
(b) State/ Central Govt. employees and also those of the public Sector understanding, local bodies and quasi-Govt. institutions, who may have been dismissed from service or are in receipt of pensions form such employers and persons convicted of cognisable offences involving moral turpitude shall not be eligible for the benefits under this scheme.

III- Rate of Unemployment Allowance.
The following shall be the rates for the payment of unemployment allowance:-
Matric Rs. 50/-P.M.
Graduate/Diploma Holders Rs. 100/-P.M.
Post Graduates Rs. 150/- P.M.

IV- Duration
Financial assistance will be given for a period of six year from the date of application or registration in the Employment.

V- Application for Unemployment Allowance.

Applications for Unemployment allowance shall be submitted to the Director, Social Welfare, Haryana, on the prescribed form as at Appendix –II, Applications will be processed and submitted in his office and the decision of the Director, Social Welfare, Haryana shall be final.

VI- Power to sanction Unemployment Allowance.

The power to sanction Unemployment Allowance shall vest in the Director, Social Welfare or an officer not below the rank of class II officer who may be delectated such authority by him.

VII- Stoppage or Recovery of the Unemployment Allowance

The authority empowered to sanction the Unemployment Allowance may:-

(a) Step the payment of the unemployment allowance to any recipient, if the said allowance is no more payable to any change in the circumstances in which the some was sanctioned:
(b) Withdraw or with held the payment of unemployment allowance if at any stage it is discovered that the unemployment allowance was not admissible in the first instance and it was sanctioned by mistake or an false information or in disregard of any condition subject to which it could be sanctioned. The amount of unemployment allowance already paid may also be recovered without prejudice to an action, whether civil or criminal to which the recipient may be liable.
ii) In the event of the death of the recipient the un-employment allowance shall cease to the payable and if the recipient died before receiving any payment the amount not disbursed shall lapse to the Government.
iii) If at any time, a money order retaining to the disbursement of the unemployment allowance is received back undelivered due to any reasons whatsoever, the amount shall be predicted to the Government account unless it is claimed person all by the recipient within on month of its receipt.

VIII- Remittance of unemployment allowance.

The unemployment allowance shall be remitted to the recipient by money order on quarterly basis at the cost of the Government.
XI- Unemployment Allowance not enforceable through court of law.
The unemployment allowance under these shall not be enforceable though the court of law.

X- Yearly affidavit.
To draw the unemployment allowance in a subsequent year, the handicapped will be required to give an affidavit at the beginning of every financial year that they contained to be unemployment.

TIRLOCHAN SINGH
Commissioner & Secretary Officer
Haryana Social Welfare Department

(Extract Haryana Government Gazette, dated the 5th December, 1995)

HARYANA GOVERNMENT

SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT

Notification

The 13^th November, 2003

No. 1935-SW(1) 95 In partial modification of Haryana Government, Social Welfare Department Notification No. 3144-SW(1) 81, dated the 7th December, 1981, the Governor of Haryana is pleased to amend para 3 of the rules governing the Scheme for the grant of unemployment allowance to the Physically Handicapped Persons with effect from Ist April, 1996 as under:-

(III) Rates of Unemployment Allowance

The following shall be the rates for the payment of unemployment allowance :-

1.      Matric/ Middle Pass Diploma Holder                           Rs.150/-
2.      Graduate/ Matric Pass Diploma Holder                       Rs. 200/-
3.       Post Graduate, Graduate Diploma Holder                   Rs. 250/-

3. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Department conveyed vide their U.O.No 1/88/95-3 FG-II/2374/01, dated 28th November, 2003.

VEENA EAGLETON,

Commissioner and Principal Secretary to
Government of Haryana, Social Welfare Department.

Extract Haryana Government Gazette, dated the 23rd December, 2003

HARYANA GOVERNMENT

SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT

Notification

The 8^th December, 2003

No. 3012-SW(1)2003. In partial modification of Haryana Government, Social Welfare Department Notification No. 3144-SW(1)81, dated the 7th December, 1981, the Governor of Haryana is pleased to increase the rates of unemployment allowance under para 3 of the rules governing the scheme Unemployment allowance to Educated Physically Handicapped Persons w.e.f. 3rd December, 2003 as under:-

(1) Rates of Unemployment Allowance

The following shall be the rates for the payment of unemployment allowance :-

1. Matric/ Middle Pass Diploma Holder Rs. 200/- p.m

2. Graduate/ Matric Pass Diploma Holder Rs. 250/- p.m.

3. Post Graduate, Graduate Diploma Holder Rs. 300/- p.m.

This issues with the concurrence of Finance Department conveyed vide their U.O.No 1/88/95-3 FG-II/2374/01, dated 28th November, 2003.

VEENA EAGLETON,
Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary to Government of Haryana
Social Welfare Department
Chandigarh
The 28th November, 2003

Haryana Government Gazette, dated the 13^th February, 2007

HARYANA GOVERNMENT

SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT

Notification

The 24^th January, 2007

No. 94-SW(1)2007. The Governor of Haryana is pleased to increase the rates of Unemployment Allowance to 100 percent Handicapped Persons ( Blinds/ Orthopaedically Handicapped/ Deaf and Dumb) only under para-3 of the governing the scheme. Unemployment Allowance to the Educated Physically Handicapped Persons w.e.f First April, 2006 would be as under:-

1. Matric/ Middle Pass Diploma Holder Rs. 1000/- p.m

2. Graduate/ Maric Pass Diploma Holder Rs. 1500/-p.m.

3. Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma Holder Rs. 2000/-p.m.

This issues with the concurrence of Finance Department conveyed vide their U.O.No 1/68/95-3 FG-II/2510.. dated 9^th January, 2007.

Sd/-

ANURADHA GUPTA,
Commissioner and Secretary to Government Haryana
Social Welfare Department.

HARYANA GOVERNMENT

SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT

NOTIFICATION

No. 2066- SW(4)2003 - In suppression of Haryana Government Notification No. 2187—SW(4) 95 Dated 15.12.95, the Governor of Haryana pleased to constitute. The State Selection Committee for period of three years w.e.f. 15.2.2003 (i.e. 15.2.2003 to 14.2.2006) for the selection of persons in the Haryana State consisting of the following members.

1. Minister Social Welfare Department, Haryana Chairman

2. Financial Commissioner & Principal Secretary Member

to Govt. Haryana, Social Welfare Department.

3. Director of Industries, Haryana Member

4. Labour Commissioner, Haryana Member

5. Director General, Health Service Haryana Member

6. Director, Employment, Haryana Member

7. Director, Social Justice & Empowerment Deptt. Member

Haryana. Secretary

Non- Official Member

1. Dr. V.J.S Vohra NEVEDAC Prosthetic Centre Member

Near Airport, Chandigarh.

2. Dr. Smt. Mamgam, General Secretary, Social Member

Health in India, Haryana State Branch, Chandigarh.

1. The main function of the committee will be select the handicapped persons for the National State Awards during the year.

2. The terms of the members of committee will be for three years.

3. The Head Quarter of the committee will be at Chandigarh.

4. The members of the committee will draw travelling allowance daily allowance as under:-

(i) Non-official members of the committee shall be entitled to the actual expense and daily allowance as admissible to Haryana Govt. Servants in accordance with the instruction issued by the Haryana Govt. from time to time.

(ii) The travelling and daily allowance to the Non-official members will be admissible on producing of a certificate to the effect that no Travelling allowance in respect of the journey or daily allowance for the period mentioned in the bill has been or will be claimed by them from any other source.

(iii) The travelling allowance for meeting of the committee will be allowed to the members from their permanent residence to the place of the meeting. If, however a member attend meeting from a place other than the place of his permanent residence, T.A bill be allowed to him either from the place of his residence or from where he attends the meeting whichever the distance loss.

(iv) The Non- official member of the committee who resides at the place where meeting of the committee was held will not entitled Travelling allowance / Daily allowance.

5. The entire expenditure involved will be incurred under the head “2235-Social Security & Welfare-02- Social Welfare -101- Welfare of Handicapped viii State Award to outstanding employer placement officers/ Handicapped 7 most efficient Handicapped employed/ self employed handicapped person Non- Plan 2003-04.

VEENA EAGLETON
Financial Commissioner & Principal Secretary to
Govt. Haryana, Social Welfare Department.

Endst. No. 2066- SW(4) 2003 Dated 9-9-2003

A copy is forwarded to the Chairman/ All members of the Committee for information and necessary action.

Sd/-

Joint Secretary,

For Financial Commissioners & Principal Secretary

to Govt. HaSd/-ryana, Social Welfare Department.

Endst. No. 2066- SW(4) 2003 Dated 9-9-2003

A copy is forwarded to the Accountant General Haryana Chandigarh for information and necessary action.

Sd/-

Joint Secretary,

For Financial Commissioners & Principal Secretary

to Govt. Haryana, Social Welfare Department.

Endst. No. 2066- SW(4) 2003 Dated 9-9-2003

A copy is forwarded to the Controller. Printing and Stationary Department Haryana, Chandigarh for publishing the notification in the Haryana Government Gazette. Part- I One hundred spare copies or the notification may please be supplied to the undersigned at the earliest.

Sd/-
Joint Secretary,
For Financial Commissioners & Principal Secretary to Govt. of Haryana,
Social Welfare Department.

SCHEMES REGARDING CONFERING TE STATE AWARDS TO 16 OUTSTANDING EMPLOYERS/PLACEMENT OFFICERS OF THE HANDICAPPED AND MOST EFFICIENT HANDICAPPED EMPLOYERS/ SELF EMPLYED HANDICAPPED PERSONS.

INTRODUCATION

Since the advent of independence, State Govt./Government of India have been taking keen interest to solve various problems of handicapped persons. In order to enable then to become self reliant in life special emphasis has been laid on education, training and rehabilitation of the handicapped. Despite educational and training opportunities for the handicapped for numbers of years. Our efforts for placing them inn suitable employment have been some what sporadic. Experience in the economically advanced countries had clearly demonstrated that both economic and human values of placing trained handicapped persons properly in modern industry, business agriculture and public service could bring useful results.

Realising the importance of discovering avenue of employment for handicapped and need for a concerned efforts in this direction, special employment exchanges were set up for the handicapped persons. In the wide range of occupation both in public and private sections. This was, however, a relatively shall achievement and much greater efforts were needed to stimulate the efforts to the placement of trained handicapped persons in suitable employment. As an incentive since 1069 the resident of India has been giving away annually awards to outstanding employer of the handicapped / handicapped employees / self employed handicapped persons and the placement officers of the handicapped. This has produced encouraging results.

With a view to increase the avenues of placement/ employment for handicapped persons, it has decided by the State Government to confer state awards as are awarded by the Govt. of India.

Under the scheme being operated by the G9overnment of India a National Selection Committee stands constituted at the Central Level for considering the cases of handicapped persons for National Awards recommended by the State Selection Committee, which will be constituted every year by the department, . The composition of the committee will be as under:

1	Minister for Social Welfare Department	Chairman
2	Secretary, Social Welfare Department	Member
3	Director, Industries Haryana	Member
4	Commissioner, Labour Department	Member
5	Director, General Health Department	Member
6	Two prominent experts in the rehabilitation of handicapped (non officials, will be nominated by the Chairman.)	Member
7	Director, Social Justice & Empowerment	Member Secretary

This committee shall also be responsible for the selection of candidates for the conferring of State Awards.

SCOPE
Separate awards will be presented to outstanding employers of the handicapped and to the most efficient handicapped employees including self employed handicapped persons and placement officers from the following section:-
1.    The State Govt. Statutory bodies etc.
2.    Public Sector undertaking of the State Government.
3.    Private sector including self employed handicapped persons.
Nature of Awards.

a)	Employees/ Self Employed	10 Prizes
	First Prize	Rs. 5000/- and certificate
	Second Prize	Rs. 4000/- and certificate
	Third Prize	Rs. 3000/- and certificate (2 Nos)
	Fourth Prize	Rs. 2000/- and certificate.(2Nos)
b)	Employees of the Handicapped	Two Prizes
	First Prize	A big shield and certificate of merit
	Second Prize	A small shield and certificate of merit
	Placement Officers	One Prize
	One Prize	Rs. 4000/- and certificate of merit

Production of Selection

Initially selection for presentation of State Awards will be made by the departmental committee consisting of Director, Social Justice & empowerment and all Deputy Directors of the Department. The departmental committee will submit its recommendations to the State selection committee for making final selection.

Since selection is to be receipt of applications on the prescribed from will be fixed by Government of India.

The State government may at its discretion invite recommendations from institutions for the handicapped administered directly by it.

Criteria for Selection of Employers
Employers are proposed to be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:-

i) That at least 2% of their employees are disabled subject to a minimum of three persons in a given establishment. In case of larger establishment employing 15 handicapped persons or more.
ii) That whatever necessary minor adjustments in the meeting have been made.
iii) That the disabled are offered in same conditions of service. Including the rates of the pa is given to other employees.
iv) That the employees have shown sympathetic consideration understanding of the problems of handicapped and.
v) That were necessary and feasible, such additional facilities as accommodation are provided.

For Handicapped Employers including Self Employed Handicapped Persons.
The employees and self employed handicapped persons are proposed to be accessed on the basis of the following criteria:-
i) That he has placed at least 20o o of the number of people registered with him during the last one years.
ii) His fellow up during the last given year coupled with placement of the people registered with him upto the end of the last year is outstanding.
iii) That the attitude f the placement officer towards the registered handicapped persons has been sympathetic.
Due regards be given to the performance and hard work put in the placement officer keeping in view the larger number of beneficiaries handed by him.

Procedure for Presenting The Awards.

The Awards may be received personally be selected employers, placement officers and self employed persons in Chandigarh or a place as decided by the chairman in consultation with the Governor of Haryana. They will be paid travelling and daily allowance by the social Justice & Empowerment. The Government may on this occasion give a reception to which may be invited prominent citizen including the representatives of employers, with a view to giving stimulus to the campaign for the placements f handicapped persons in suitable employment.

From

The Financial Commissioner & Principal Secretary to Govt. Haryana, Social Justice & Empowerment Department.
To
The Director Social Justice & Empowerment Department.
Haryana, Chandigarh.

No. 1759 SW(1) /2008 Chandigarh, Dated the 4-02-2008

Subject:- Revision of Rates of States Awards to the Physically Handicapped Persons.

Sanction of the Governor of the Haryana is hereby accorded to revise the rates of the State Awards in connection with the Presentation of Annual Awards to the Handicapped Persons of the States under the Scheme “ Scheme regarding conferring the State Awards for Outstanding Employers / Placement Officers of the Handicapped and the most efficient Handicapped Employees/ Self Employed Handicapped Persons”. The rates are revised as under:-

S.No	Category of prize	Nature of the prize No. of prize	Present rates and certificate	Revised rates and certificates
1	Employee/ Self Employed	First Prize (one) Second Prize (one) Third Prize (two) Fourth Prize(three)	Rs.5000/- and certificate Rs. 4000/- ad certificate Rs. 3000/- and certificate Rs. 2000/- and certificate	Rs. 10000/- and certificates. Rs. 8000/- and certificate Rs. 6000/- and certificate Rs. 4000/- and certificate.
2	Employers of the Handicapped	First Prize (one) Second Prize (one)	A big shield and certificate of merit. A small shield and certificate of merit.	Rs. 5000/- and certificate of merit. Rs. 3000/- and certificate of merit.
3	Placement Officer of the Handicapped	One Prize	Rs. 4000/- and certificate of merit.	Rs. 8000/- and certificate of merit

2. The Expenditure involved would be debatable to the Head “2235- Social Security and Welfare-02- Social Welfare- Social Justice and Empowerment, Haryana-101- Welfare of Handicapped-X State Award to Outstanding Employer / Placement officer of the Handicapped and most efficient Handicapped Employees/ Self Employed Handicapped Persons – other charges Social Security and Welfare –NON PLAN during the year 2007-08.
3. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Department conveyed vide their U.O. No. 1/6/94-3 FG-II (1944) dated 27-11-2007.

Sd/-
Joint Secretary,
for Financial Commissioner & Principal Secretary to
Govt. Haryana, Social Justice & Empowerment Deptt.
Endst. NO. 1759 SW(1) / 2008,
Chandigarh, dated the
A copy is forwarded to the Accountant General (Audit)/ A&E Haryana Chandigarh for information and necessary action.
Sd/-
Joint Secretary,
for Financial Commissioner & Principal Secretary to Govt
Haryana, Social Justice & Empowerment Deptt.

A copy is forwarded to the Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary to Govt. Haryana, Finance Department with reference to their U.O No. 1/6/94-3FG-II(1944) dated -27-11-2007.

Sd/-
Joint Secretary,
for Financial Commissioner & Principal Secretary to
Govt. Haryana, Social Justice & Empowerment Deptt.

To
The Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary to Govt.
Haryana, Finance Department,
U.O.No. 1759 SW(1) /2008 Chandigarh, dated the

ANNEXURE-A
PARTICULARS OF RECOMMENDED EMPLOYEE/SELF EMPLOYED WITH DISABLITIES FOR STATE AWARD

1.	Name(a) in English(in BLOCK Capital letters
	(b) in Hindi
2.	Address: (a) Residential
	(b)Office
3.	Telephone numbers: (a) Residential
	(b) Office
4.	FAX Number: (a) Residential
	(b) Office
5.	E-mail address, if any
6.	Sex
7.	Date of Birth/Age
8.	Nature/Category of disability
9.	Percentage of disability (Certificate of competent authority to be attached)
10.	Qualification: (a) Academic
	(b) Technical
11.	Trainings received, if any:
12.	Details of experience gained informally
13.	Whether employee or self-employed
14.	If employee:
	(a) Name of the Employer
	(b) Designation or Post held
	(b) Scale of pay and salary drawn
	(c) Nature of work engaged on
	(d) How does his/her productivity compare to that of his non-disabled counterparts in percentage of 10% more or less.
	(e) Rehabilitation with fellow – employed
	(f) Independence in work(encircles the grading option)	Very Good Good Poor
	(g) Mobility and self care remarks including a brief life sketch of about 200 words of the candidate highlighting his struggle against the disadvantages created by his disability ( encircle the grading option)	Very Good Good Poor
	(h) Punctuality ad regularity in attendance (encircle the grading option)	Very Good Good Poor
	(i) Whether any incentive/ rewards/ certificate given to the employee by the employer for his work during last three years. If yes, details thereof.
	(j) General assessment of the employee for last three years ( encircle the grading option)	Very Good Good Poor
15.	If self-employed:
	(a) Trade/ Professional with which associated
	(b) Monthly Income ( Attach copy of last income Tax Return filed/ Income Certificate)
	(c) How far you have upgraded your skill in that trade/ profession with a view to absorb yourself fully as a self-employed entrepreneur?
	(d) Social- economic problems/ constraints being faced in the existing trade/ profession to become a sustainable self- employed entrepreneur
	(e) (i) Whether taken loan from any bank/ financial institution of State/ Central Government (give full details)
	(ii) .If yes, indicate the balance amount of loan to be repaid
	(f) Have you ever been declare to be a defaulter to any nationalized bank/ financial institution/cooperative bank.
16.	If any National or State Level Award received during last five years, then please mention: (a) Name of the Award (b) Conferring Agency (c) Year of conferment

NOTE:

In case of self-employed persons with disabilities, the particulars may be duly certified by a gazette Officer of the Central/ State Govt. / Member of Parliament/ Member of State Legislature / Municipal Corp. etc.
Three copies of the photographs clearly showing disability of recommended employees/ self-employed with disabilities, with bio- data be enclosed.
Application should be supported by a Medical certificate indicating the degree of total disability.

ANNEXURE- B
PARTICULARSOF EMPLOYERS FOR STATE AWARDS

1	Name in English ( Block Capital letters ) and Hindi
2	Postal and telegraphic address of the organization with telephone & fax number.
3	Web- site address, if any
4	E-mail address, if any
5	Whether Government/ public Sector Undertaking/ Private
6	Nature of work undertaken by the organization
7	Total number of employer in the organization	Male Female Total
8	Number of employees with disability in the organization category-wise and sex- wise	Male Female Total
9	Number disability of the employees (if the organization has employees with various disabilities, please indicate the number of employees with each disability)
10	Percentage of employers with disability as Compared with the total number of Employees.
11	Nature of work in which Persons with disability are employed.
12	Whether their service conditions are the same as those for others.
13	Whether any modifications are made in the machinery and access is provided in the built environment.
14	Special effort made to train and employee persons with disability so far and plans for future.
15	How does the productivity of Employees with disability compare with that of non- disabled employees.
16	Remarks

Signature of the recommending authority with date

ANNEXURE- C

PARTICULARS OF THE AGENCY/OFFICER RESPONSIBLE FOR PLACEMENT OF THE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES FOR STATE AWARDS

1. PERSONAL DATA

1	Name in English ( in Block Capital letters) and Hindi
2	Date of Birth
3	Educational qualification
4	Postal address
5	Telegraphic address/ FAX No.
6	Telephone Number : Office: Residence:
7	Web-site / E-mail address, if any
8	Name of the employer with complete address (Give all the employers with whom employed during the last five years, last name to be given first).
9	Total service in the capacity

PERFOMANCE DATA: Placement and follow- up Give the information for the last five years.

S.No.	Year	No. of Persons with Disabilities Registered Placed Male Female Male Female (Disability wise)	No. % age of placement to Registration	No. of cases followed up	% of dropouts from employment with brief reasons
(1)	(2)	(3) (4) (5) (6)	(7)	(8)	(9)
1	2003
2	2004
3	2005
4	2006
5	2007

III. Brief particulars of the Placement Officer:

Signature of applicant with date

Signature of the recommending authority with date

Broadly, “Placing” means an employers acceptance of a persons into a remunerative job as a result of the following Employment Exchange operations as a result of the ---
i) Booking on an order prior to submission;
ii) Pre-submission of the persons to be referred to the employer.
iii) Submission of the selected persons and verification / that the persons have been engaged.
(Defining as given in the National Employment Service Manual.)

SCHEME OF ASSISTANCE TO DISABLED
PERSONS FOR PURCHASE/FITTING OF AIDS/APPLIANCES (ADIP SCHEME)

Applicable w.e.f. April 2005

Govt. of India
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment,
Shastri Bhawan
New Delhi

SCHEME OF ASSISTANCE TO DISABLED PERSONS FOR PURCHASE/FITTING OF AIDS/APPLIANCES (ADIP SCHEME)

1. INTRODUCTION

It has been the constant endeavour of the Government to provide the disabled persons with aids/appliance at minimum costs. The requirement for providing of aids/appliances, which are essential for the social, economic and vocational rehabilitation of the disabled persons, has come into sharp focus, particularly after the enactment of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, which came into force in 1996. Various surveys conducted from time to time have made it clear that India has a very large number of disabled persons. Many of them come from low-income groups. Disability restricts their opportunities for leading functionally productive lives. From the application of modern technology, there have emerged a number of aids, which can reduce the effects of disabilities and enhance the economic potential of the disabled. To illustrate a wheel chair, an artificial limb, crutch, a brace, a splint can greatly improve the mobility of physically disabled individual. Similarly, with the help of a powerful hearing aid, persons with some residual hearing can be helped to carry on many activities of daily living. Low vision to read, print and undertake other activities resulting in their rehabilitation. However, a large number of disabled persons are deprived of the benefits of these appliances because of their inability to find funds to purchase them.

In the light of the Government’s growing stress on helping disabled persons and in bringing the aids and appliances within their reach, it has been decided in continue the ADIP Scheme and modify it in such a way that it becomes more user-friendly and the needy are not deprived of aids/appliances, which are essential for their social, economic and vocational rehabilitation. If they can, thereby, become earning members they would be much closer to achieve economic self-dependence and also be able to live and pursue their activities dignity.

2. THE SECHME AND ITS OBJECTIVES

The Scheme aims at helping the disabled persons by bringing suitable, durable, scientifically-manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances within their reach The estimates, according to 58^th Sample Survey conducted by NSSO in 2002, indicate that there are about 18.04 million persons with various types of disabilities in the country. Their disabilities restrict the opportunity for their economic and social growth. In addition, about 3% of the children below 14 years of age suffer from delayed development. Many of them are mentally retarded and cerebral palsied and require some aids/appliances to attain the capacity for self-care and independent living.

The main objective of the Scheme is to assist the needy disabled persons in procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances that can promote their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation by reducing the disabilities and enhance their economic potential. The aids and appliances supplied under the Scheme must be ISI.

3. DEFINITIONS

Definitions of various types of disabilities as given in The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 (PWD ACT)

4. SCOPE

The Scheme will be implemented through the Implementing Agencies as listed in the following para. The Agencies will be provided with financial assistance for purchase fabrication and distribution of such standard aids and appliances that are in conformity with objective of the Scheme. The Implementing Agencies will take care of/make suitable arrangements for fitting and post-fitting care of the aids and appliances distributed under ADIP Scheme. The scope of the Scheme has been further enlarged to include use of mass media, exhibitions. workshops etc, for exchange of information and promoting awareness and distribution and use of aids/appliances.

The Scheme shall also include under its ambit, medical/surgical correction & intervention, which is essential prior to fitment of aids and appliances. The cost could range from Rs. 500/- for hearing & speech Impaired to Rs. 1,000/- for visually disabled and Rs. 3,000/- for orthopacidcally disabled.

5. ELIGIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING AGENCY UNDER THE SCHEME

The following agencies would be eligible to implement the Scheme on behalf of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, subject to fulfilment of laid down terms and conditions:

i Societies, registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and their branches, if any, separately.

ii Registered charitable trusts.

iii District Rural Development Agencies, Indian Red Cross Societies and other Autonomous Bodies headed by District Collector/Chief Executive Officer/District Development Officer of Zilla Parishad.

iv National/Apex Institutes including ALIMCO functioning under administrative control of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment/Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

v State Handicapped Development Corporations.

vi Local Bodies-Zilla Parishad, Municipalities, District Autonomous Development Councils and Panchayats.

vii Nehru Yuvak Kendras.

Grant-in-aid under the Scheme will not be given for commercial supply of aid/appliance.

The NGOs should preferable possess professional/technical expertise in the form of professionally qualified staff (from recognized courses) for the identification, prescription of the required artificial aids/appliance, fitment and post fitment care of the beneficiaries as well as the aid/appliance.

The NGOs should preferable possess infrastructure in the form of machinery/equipment for the fabrication, fitment and maintenance of artificial aid/appliance to be given to a disabled person under ADIP Scheme.

Implementing Organisations should network and establish linkages with medical college/district hospitals/ rural hospitals/ PHCs/ fitment centres of ALIMCO/DDRCs/ any other professionally competent agency to acquire/avail the requisite infrastructure for fitment and maintenance of aids/ appliances distributed under ADIP Scheme available with these bodies. The implementing Agencies shall also avail of the professional/technical expertise of above mentioned agencies for fitment and post-fitment ALIMCO and DDRCs functioning under the administrative control of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment shall also assist DRDAs and other autonomous organizations to develop requisite manpower and infrastructure over a period of time to provide satisfactory service to the beneficiaries under the Scheme. Such organizations while applying of the grant under the Scheme shall produce sufficient proof of linkages with the professional agencies preferably in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding.

6. ELIGIBILITY OF THE BENEFICIARIES.

A Person with disabilities fulfilling following conditions would be eligible for assistance under ADIP Scheme through authorized agencies.

He/she be an Indian citizen of any age.
Should be certified by a Registered / Medical Practitioner that he/ she is disabled and fit to use prescribed aids/ appliances.
Person who is employed / self-employed or getting pension and whose monthly income from all sources does not exceed RS. 10,000/- per month.
In case of dependents, the income of parents/ guardians should not exceed Rs. 10,000/- per month.
Persons who have not received assistance from the Government, local bodies and Non- Official Organisations during the last 3 years for the same purpose. However, for children below 12 years of age this limit would be 1 year.

7. QUANTUM OF ASSISTNACE TO DISABLED

Only those aids/ appliances which do not cost more than RS. 6,000/- are covered under the Scheme. However, for visually mentally, speech & hearing or multiple disabled, the limit should be Rs. 8,000/- during their study period aftaer IX standard. The limits will apply to individuals items of aid and where more than one aid is required, the ceiling will apply separately. The amount of assistance will be as follows.

Total Income	Amount of Assistance
(i) Upto Rs. 6,500/- per month. (ii) Rs. 6,501/- to Rs. 10,000/- per month	(i) Full cost of aids/ appliances. (ii) 50% of the cost of aids/ appliances

Further, travelling cost would be admissible limited to bus fare in ordinary class or railway by second class sleeper subject to limit Rs. 250/- for beneficiary irrespective of number of visits to the centre and a Certificate from Doctor or Rehabilitation Professional, travel expenses subject to the same limit would be admissible to an attendant/ escort accompanying the beneficiary. The beneficiary should attend the Rehabilitation Centre nearest to hi/ her place of residence, except in the North- Eastern Region where he may be allowed travel cost for travelling outside the Region till such facilities becomes available within that Region.

8. TYPES OF AIDS/ APPLIANCES TO BE PROVIDED.

Types following aids and appliances may be allowed for each type of disabled individual. However, any other item as notified from time to time by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for the purpose will also be allowed.
LOCOMOTOR DISABLED.

i.    All types of prosthetic and orthotic devices.
ii.    Mobility aids like tricycles, wheelchairs, crutches walking sticks and walking frames/ rolators. Motorised tricycles for persons with locomotors disability that are likely to cost more than Rs. 6,000/- may be procured and provided in exceptional cases subject to prior approval of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on case to case basis. Extent of subsidy would however continue to be Rs. 6000/- For all other devices ceiling is Rs. 6,000/-
iii.    All types of surgical footwears and MCR Chappals.
iv.    All types of devices for ADL (activity of daily living).

VISUALLY DISABLED
i.    Learning equipments like arithmetic frame, abacus, geometry kits etc. Giants Braille dots system for slow-learning blind children. Dictaphone and other variable speed recording system. CD player / Tape recorder for blind student fro Xth standard.
ii.    Science learning equipments like talking balances, talking thermometer, measuring equipments like tape measures, micrometres etc.
iii.    Braille writing equipments including Bailers, Braille shorthand machines, typewriters for blind students from X Class. Talking machines, calculators, Geography learning equipment like raised maps and globes.
iv.    Communication equipment for the deaf-blind. Braille attachments for telephone for deaf-blind persons.
v.    Low vision aids including hand-held stand, lighted and unlighted magnifiers, speech synthesizers or Braille attachments for computers.
vi.    Special mobility aids for visually disabled people with muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy like adapted walkers.
vii.    Soft- ware for visually handicapped persons using computers that are likely to cost more than Rs. 6,000/- may procured ad provided in exceptional cases subject to prior approval of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on case to case basis. The extent of subsidy would however continue to be Rs. 6,000/-. For all other devices ceiling.

HEARING DISABLED.

i.` Various types of hearing aids.

ii. Educational kits like tape recorders/ CD player etc.

Assistive and alarming devices including devices for hearing of telephone, TV, doorbell, time alarm etc.
Communication aids, like, portable speech synthesizer etc.

MENTALLY DISABLED.

Any suitable device as advised by Rehabilitation Professional or treating physician.

9. PROCEDURE FOR RECIPT OF GRANT-IN-AID BY AN IMPLEMENTING AGENCY.

The organisation will submit their application in the prescribed format ( Annexure- I& II) to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment through concerned State Government / UT Administration/National Institute/ Regional Rehabilitation Training Centre/ District Rehabilitation Centre/ any other agency authorized by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, every year. The application should be accompanied with following documents/ information (dully attested)

A copy of Registration Certificate u/s 51/ 52 of Persons Disabilities (Equal Opportunities Protection of Rights and Full Participation Act (PWD Act), 1995.
A copy Registration Certificate under Societies Registration Act, 1860 and their branches, if any, separately, or Charitable Trust Act.
A copy of Rules. Aims and Objectives of the Organization.
A copy of Certified Audited Accounts and Annual Report for the last Year.
Names of the Members of Management Committees of the Organisation.
List of identified beneficiaries and types of aids/ appliances required by the organisation for supplying / getting to the identified beneficiaries.
Estimated expenditure for distribution/ fitting of aids/ appliances amongst the identified beneficiaries.
And Undertaking that the funds will not be utilized for any other purposes.
An Undertaking to maintain a separate account of the funds received from the Ministry under the scheme.
The implementing Agencies already receiving grant-in-aid under the Scheme should also furnish the list of beneficiaries assisted from the grant-in-aid released to them in the previous year as per Performa given in Annexure- V may be given.
A calendar of activities for entire financial year including probable dates for holding caps etc. for distribution of aids/ appliances and also maintain separate account for that.
An Undertaking that the organisation will provide post – distribution care to the beneficiaries as well as aids/ appliances, on demand.

m. Organisation should be financially should ad viable and has requisite capability to mobilize the resources.

The organisation shall have working rapport with the District available with District Administration for identification of aids/ appliances.
The implementing agencies shall keep manuals/ literature on main features, maintenance and upkeep of devices, one year free maintenance would be provided by them for assistive devices 2% of the annual allocation will be earmarked for monitoring and evaluation of expenses.
The organisation will provide reservation to SC/ST/OBC and disabled persons in accordance with instructions issued by GOI from time to time if it employees more than 20 persons on a regular basis.

10. RECOMMENDATION

The State Government/UT Administration/ National Institute/RRTC/DRC/any other agency authorized by the Ministry should send its recommendation with specific remarks about.

i) Professional competence, credibility, integrity and existing infrastructural facilities for satisfactory implementation of the Scheme by the NGO/organisation.

ii) Eligibility of the organisation as laid down by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

iii) Rapport with target groups, capacity and willingness to network with other NGOs and Panchayati Raj institution etc.

The recommendation should also include whether the NGOs is getting grant-in-aid from other Ministry/ State Government etc. for the same purpose.

However, no recommendation is required in case of National Institute and ALIMCO working under the administrative control of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

11. QUATUM OF ASSISTANC3E TO AN IMIPLEMENTING AGENCY.

No ceiling should be imposed on the quantum of assistance to be released to an Implementing Agency and it branches (separately) during a particular financial year However, while deciding on the amount of grant to be given, the performance, professional expertise, capacity, tack record and outreach capabilities of the agency shall be kept in view.

12. SANCTION / RELEASE OF GRANT-IN-AID

The Implementing Agencies will be sanctioned grant-in-aid in particular financial year after receiving recommendation from State Government/ UT Administration/ National Institute/ RRTC/ DRC/ an other agency authorized by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The subsequent financial a assistance would be sanctioned after receipt of audited accounts and list of beneficiaries with their permanent addresses in the prescribed poroma for the previous year’s grant shall be furnished before the end of second quarter of each financial year, positively.

The recommending authority should create the field agencies who shall strive to conduct sample checking of beneficiaries regarding utilization of grant-in-aid by NGOs and distribution of aids and appliances by the Implementing Agency. The sample checking of beneficiaries regarding utilization of grant –in- aid by NGOs and distribution of aids and appliances by the Implementing Agencies. The sample checking would cover at least 5 to 10 percent of the beneficiaries, which are covered under the Scheme in the previous year.

The grant-in-aid would normally be released in tow instalment after process of audited accounts and list of beneficiaries furnished by the organisation/ implementing Agency to the satisfaction of the Ministry.

13. CONDITIONS FOR ASSISTANCE.

i. The implementing agency will be fully competent to satisfy about the monthly income of the beneficiaries and shall obtain a certificate from the concerned competent authority. The identification of the beneficiaries has to be done by an expert in accordance with guidelines issued by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in this regard

ii. The implementing agency will maintain a register in the prescribed performa ( Annexure-III) about the beneficiaries assisted under the Scheme.

The implementing agency shall maintain a separate accounts of funds received and utilized from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment under the Scheme. The fund should be kept in separate bank account to be operated under ADIP Scheme.
A certificate from the Head of the Implementing Agency to the effect that the funds have been utilized. A list of beneficiaries as per proforma given in Annexure- IV assisted by the organisation that the funds given by the Ministry will be furnished along with the yearly application as per procedure indicated in para 9 in CD in Excel programme.
The final accounts for a financial year will be rendered through utilization certificate and audited accounts signed by chartered accountant within six months of the close of the financial year.
The agency implementing the scheme will obtain an undertaking from the beneficiary that he/ she has not obtained such aid from any other agency/ source during last tow years ad that he/ she not obtained such aid from any other agency/ source during last three years and that he/ she will keep it for his/ her bona fide use.
The agency implementing the scheme will be open to inspection by an officer/ agency authorized by Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment or the State Government / UT/ Administrative / National Institute/ DRCs etc.
When the Government of India has reasons to believe that the sanction is not being utilized for the approval purpose the amount would be recovered from the implementing agency with interest and no further assistance would be given to the agency.
The quantum of assistance to be given to an implementing agency during a particular year will be decided by the Government of India. The implementing agencies would, therefore, not incur any liability under the Scheme unless the funds have been sanctioned to them fort the purpose.
At least 25% beneficiaries should be girl child/ women.

Annexure-I

Application for Central Scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/ Fitting of Aids/ Appliances.

From Date:

The Secretary to the Government of India,

Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment,

Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi

Subject:- Assistance under the Central Scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/ fitting of aids/appliances.

I submit herewith an application for a grant for the year under the Scheme of Assistance to Disabled persons for purchase/fitting of aids/appliances. I certify that I grant is given. Should the Institutions/ Organisation cease to exist at any time, such properties shall revert to the Government of India.

(a) All assets acquired wholly or substantially out of the Central grant shall not be encumbered or disposed off or utilized for purpose other tan those for which the grant is given. Should the Institutions/ Organisation cease to exist at any time, such properties shall revert to the Government of India.

(b) The accounts of the project shall be properly and separately maintained. They shall always be open to check by an officer deputed by the Govt. of India or the State Government of India at his discretion.

(c) If the State or the Central Govt. have reasons to believe that the grant is not being utilized for approved purpose, the Govt. of India may stop payment of further Instalments and recover earlier grants in such a manner as they may decide.

(d) The Institution shall exercise reasonable economy in the implementation of the scheme.

(e) The Organisation will obtain an undertaking from the beneficiaries as required under the scheme, before fitting/ giving of aids/ appliances.

Yours faithfully,

(Signature)
(Designation)
(Office Stamp)

Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

Name of the Scheme

1. Organisation

Name

Address (office) :

(Project) :

Phone (office) :

(Project) :

Fax (office) :

(Project) :

Telex (office) :

(Project) :

E-mail (office) :

(Project) :

Grams (office) :

(Project) :

2. (i) Name of the Act :

Under which registered :

(ii) Registration No. and :

Date of Registration :

Any other Organisation/ Institute :

Body, if applicable, give details

3. Registration under Foreign : (Yes/ No)

Contribution Act

4. Memorandum of Association :

And Bye-Laws.

5. Name & Address of the :

Members of the Board of

Management/ Governing

Body

6. List of Documents to be attached :

(a) A copy of the Annual Report

For the previous year which

Should contain the balance sheet (including receipt and payment account ), income and Expenditure Account.

7. Details of the project for which the :

Grant-in-aid is being applied.

8. Grant-in-aid applied for in :

the current year.

9. Details of beneficiaries .

(a) Number of disabled benefited :

From previous years grant.

(b) Proposed number of disabled :

Expected to be covered during

Current financial year.

10. Details of the staff available :

Details of GIA received under other Schemes of

State Govt…………………………….

Central Govt………………………..

Other sources…………………….

Programme / Project run grant-in-aid received Total Location of the

By the NGO (other than amount service Expenditure Project

The one applied for ) agency on the

Projects.

13. List of Additional Papers.

(if any given)

I have read the scheme ad fulfil the requirement and conditions of the scheme. I undertake to abide by all the condition of the Scheme.

Signature ………………………………..

Name…………………………………

Address……………………………

……………………………………..

Date……………………………..

(Seal)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Note: Wherever not applicable, specially in case of new Organisation, please write – N.A.

MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT.

Name of the Scheme:

1. APPLICATION FORM FOR THE IIND INSTALLEMMENT

1. Organisation

Name

Address (office) :

(Project) :

Phone (office) :

(Project) :

Fax (office) :

(Project) :

Telex (office) :

(Project) :

E-mail (office) :

(Project) :

Grams (office) :

(Project)

2. Grant-in-aid(in. Rs.)

Total

A. Applied in the current year :

B. Received as Ist Instalment :

C. Applied for IInd Instalment :

3. Annual Report of the previous year.

ii) Audited statement of accounts of previous year ( Receipts and Payments statement, Income & Expenditure Statement) and Balance sheet.

iii) Audited utilization certificate with itemise expenditure as per the sanctioned items of grant.

iv) Details of staff available.

v) Details of beneficiaries as per Annexure IV

vi) Assets acquired wholly or substantially out of government grants under GFR 19

vii) An other information considered necessary b the organisation of a asked for:

Signature ………………………………..

Name…………………………………

Address……………………………

……………………………………..

Date………………………

(Seal)

Annexure- III

Register to be maintained by the agencies implementing the Scheme Assistance to Disabled for purchase/fitting of Aids/ Appliances.

Sr.No	Name of beneficiaries	Address	Male/ female	Age	Income	Type of aid(given)	Date on which given	Cost of Aid
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9

Fabricating/ Fitment charges	Total cost of Aid	Subsidy provided	Travel cost paid to outstation beneficiaries	Board and expenses paid	Whether any surgical correction undertaken	Total 12+13+14+15
10	11	12	13	14	15	16

No. of days for which stayed	Signature of Beneficiary	Whether Accompanied by escort
17	18	19

Annexure- IV

List of beneficiaries assisted by the agencies implementing the Scheme of Assistance to Disabled for purchase/fitting of Aids/ Appliances to be furnished to Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

Sr.No	Name of beneficiaries	Address	Male/ female	Age	Income	Type of aid (given)	Date on which given	Cost of Aid
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9

Fabricating/ Fitment charges	Total cost of Aid	Subsidy provided	Travel cost paid to outstation beneficiaries	Board and expenses paid	Whether any surgical correction undertaken	Total 12+13+14+15
10	11	12	13	14	15	16

No. of days for which stayed	Whether Accompanied by escort
17	18

To be accompanied by certificate from Rehabilitation Professional / Physically for every case.

Annexure- V

Scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/ Fitting of Aids/ Appliances.

UTILISATION CERTIFICATE.

(See Government of India’s Decision (1) below Rule 150 )

Sr.No	Letter number and date	Amount.

Certified that out of Rs. ................................. /- of grant-in-aid sanctioned during the year ...................................................in favour of ................................................ NO. given in the margin and Rs. / on account of unspent balance of the pervious year, a sum of Rs. ....................................../ has been utilized for the purpose of ............................................................... for which it was it was sanctioned and that the balance of Rs. ................................................................/ remaining unutilized at the end of the year has been surrendered to Government (vide NO............................................... dated will be adjusted towards the grant-in-aid payable during the next year.

2. Certified that I have satisfied myself that the conditions on which the grant-in-aid was sanctioned have been duly fulfilled/ are being fulfilled and that I have exercised the following checks to see that the money was actually utilized for the purpose for which it was sanctioned.

Kinds of checks exercised

Duly certified by a Chartered Signature.........................

Accountant/ Auditor

Designation.....................

Date..............................

Annexure- VI

SCHEME OF ASSISTANCE TO DISABLED PERSONS FOR PURCHASE/ FITTING OF AIDS/ APPLIANCES

(ADIP SCHEME)

STATEMENT SHOWING COMPOSITION OF THE MANAGING COMMITTEE.

NAME AND POSTAL ADDRESS THE

ORGANIZATION______________________________________________________________

Sr.No.	Name of the Member of the Managing Committee	S/o D/o W/o	Complete residential address	Nature of occupation	Status in the Managing Committee
1	2	3	4	5	6

Note: (i) Certified that the composition of the above Managing Committee is in accordance with the approved Bye Laws and Memorandum of Association of the organization.

(i) Certified that the above Managing Committee was elected by the General Body in its meeting held on .................................................................The life of the Committee is form .............................................. to................................................

Signature

Name of President/ Secretary (in capital letters)

Office stamp of the Organisation

HARYANA GOVERNMENT

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT

NOTIFICATION

Dated Chandigarh 30-1-2009

No. 2351-SW(4)-2008: The Governor of Haryana is pleased to make the following scheme namely “Financial Assistance to the Non-School Going Disabled Children Scheme” which will come into force with effect from 1.12.2008 .This scheme incorporating the amendments made from time to time and shall be applicable throughout the State of Haryana .

DEFINITIONS

The Mentally Retarded Children who suffer from following conditions :-

1) Mental Retardation with I.Q. not exceeding 35.

2. AIM:-

Presently Haryana Govt. is providing Financial Assistance in the form of scholarship to such disabled children of state who are below 18 years of age and are getting formal education in different schools, colleges, technical institutions and universities etc. and those disabled persons who are above 18 years of age are being provided financial assistance in the form of Handicapped Pension

But there are some mentally retarded children in the age group of 0 to 18 years who are in the category of Profound & Severely retardation, who are not able to attend formal education, training etc. due to their disability. They are totally dependent on their parents or relatives and need constant supervision and care of their families. Some of them require nursery care also. These children because of their severity of M.R. are looked down upon in society and are also forced to live in deplorable and humiliating environment. Their Parents also some time find it difficult to look after them properly either due to financial difficulties or otherwise. Therefore it is felt imminent that in order to boost the morale of these children as well as provide support to their parents some financial assistance should be given to them for their welfare and respectful up bringing. Keeping this in view a scheme named “Financial Assistance to the Non- School going disabled Children” is conceived aiming at to providing financial assistance to such parents who cannot send them for formal schooling and boarding of their disabled wards in the age group of below 18 years because of financial constraints or because of the returns of their Mental Retardation.

3. ELIGIBILITY:- Eligibility conditions are as follows:-

( i ) A person having physical disability in the age-group of below 18 years shall be eligible for grant of Assistance.

(ii) The applicant should be a domicile of Haryana State and should be residing in Haryana State for the last three years at the time of submission of application. He /She will have to submit domicile proof for this purpose issued by the competent authority.

(iii) The applicant’s close relatives and parents are not in a financial position to support him/ her and the income of his/ her parents, close relatives or his/ her own income from all sources is less than the income as prescribed under the Minimum Wages Act, i.e. Rs. 3510/- p.m.as in 2008. He/She will have to submit proof of income verified by the competent authority.

(iv) The assistance would not be given to such children who are already receiving assistance under the Scholarship, Unemployment Allowance and Handicapped Pension Schemes being implemented by the Social Justice& Empowerment Department, Haryana.

(v) The applicant should have the following disabilities:-(a) Mental Retardation with I.Q not exceeding 35.

Medical Certificate duly issued by the Civil Surgeon will have to be produced for (i) to (v) above.

(b) The applicant shall submit proof regarding age of the ward/child in the form of:

(i) Birth Certificate issued by the Registrar of Births & Death; or

( ii) Affidavit by the applicant attested from the First Class Magistrate; or

( iii) A certificate from any Gazetted Officer of the State/.Central Govt.

4. CONSTITUTION OF COMMITTEE FOR SCRUTINY :

(a) Committees will be constituted for scrutinizing the eligibility for grant of financial assistance in the rural and urban areas. In the rural areas, the Committee will consist of District Social Welfare Officer or his representative, Circle Revenue Officer and Medical Officer of Health Department. In the urban areas, the Committee will consist of Officer In charge of the Municipal Committee or the Executive Officer or the Secretary of Municipal Committee and District Social Welfare Officer or his representative and a Medical Officer of Health Department.

5. SUPERVISION & COORDINATION COMMITTEE :

A District Level Committee comprising of Civil Surgeon as a Member, District Social Welfare Officer as Member Secretary and Deputy Commissioner of the District or his representative as Chairman will be constituted, for overall supervision, coordination and implementation of the Scheme in the District . District Social Welfare Officer will be the convener of the Committee. It will meet once every quarter to review the performance of the scheme.

6. VERIFICATION:-

(i) During its visit to the village/ ward for the purpose of verification of fresh applicants Committee for Scrutiny may also ensure that no beneficiary eligible for assistance is left-out. For this purpose, all the beneficiaries will be required to present themselves before the Committee. Assistance to those persons who fail to present themselves before the Committee will not be considered. Financial Assistance will be sanctioned by the concerned District Social Welfare Officer on the recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee.

(ii) In those cases where Committee comes to a definite conclusion that beneficiary is no longer eligible for assistance, the Committee will recommend to terminate the assistance of such beneficiaries and will send intimation to District Social Welfare Officer of such termination, for further necessary action. However, the committee shall exercise reasonable judgment to decide these cases. The District Social Welfare Officer shall intimate the fact of termination of assistance to the beneficiary. An appeal shall lie, within 3 months from the intimation of such termination to the District Level Committee against such termination of assistance. The decision of the District Level Committee shall be final and will not be subjected to any further investigation./ appeal.

(iii) In those cases where the beneficiary has not presented himself/ herself before the Committee at the time of disbursement for two consecutive months and the Committee suspects the eligibility of a beneficiary, the Committee may recommend to District Social Welfare Officer to stop the further disbursement of assistance to such beneficiary. District Social Welfare Officer shall issue a notice to the beneficiary asking him/ her to show cause why his/ her assistance should not be terminated. If the beneficiary fails to satisfy the District Social Welfare Officer regarding his/ her continued eligibility of assistance, An appeal shall lie, within 3 month from the intimation of such termination to the District Level Committee against such termination of assistance. Otherwise, the assistance shall be resumed after the beneficiary satisfies the District Social Welfare Officer about his/ her eligibility for assistance.

(iv) Initially verification will be done village wise by the Committee for scrutiny. However, special verification may be done in case of complaints or as per decision of the Govt. from time to time.

7. MODE OF PAYMENT:-

(a) Assistance shall be disbursed through the Panchayati Raj under the supervision of Block Development and Panchayat Officer or by any other means of payment to be decided by the Government from time to time. The financial assistance shall become payable from the 1^st day of the month in which it is sanctioned.

(b) The periodicity of payment of assistance shall be decided by Director, Social Justice and Empowerment from time to time.

(c) No further payment shall be made if the acknowledgement of disbursement/payment has not been received for two consecutive instalments.

(d) The assistance which have remained unpaid for two consecutive instalments or more shall be enquired into by the concerned District Social Welfare Officer who will take necessary action in this regard. Payees acknowledgement shall be recorded and kept under lock and key by the District Social Welfare Officer till the accounts have been audited by Accountant General, Haryana.

(e) Handling cash payment to the disbursing officials shall be made, as far as possible, through bank drafts issued in favor of them.

(f) All the un disbursed amount shall be received by the District Social Welfare Officer concerned. A proper record of such amounts shall be kept in a separate register. The undisguised amount received back shall be taken in the cash book and the entire amount thus received shall be refundable by short drawl from subsequent assistance bill.

(g) The Director Social Justice and Empowerment Haryana shall be over-all in charge of the “Financial Assistance to the Non-School Going Disabled Children Scheme” and necessary instructions in regard for proper enforcement and accounting procedure shall be issued by him/her from time to time.

Note: The payment of financial assistance shall be made to the parent /guardian of the disabled child who applies for the financial assistance in respect of his/ her children/wards and not direct to the children.

8. PROCEDURE FOR MAKING APPLICATION:

The application for Financial Assistance shall be submitted in the prescribed form which would be available with the District Social Welfare Officer or Director Social Justice & Empowerment Department, Haryana Chandigarh free of cost and can be submitted to the respective District Social Welfare Officer up to 10^th day of every month.

9. RATE OF ASSISTANCE :

Financial assistance shall be admissible under the scheme at the rate of Rs. 300/- per month to every disabled child in the family of the applicant. Every non school going disabled child in a single family would be eligible for this assistance. Government will have the right to change the rate of assistance from time to time.

POWER OF SANCTION :

The District Social Welfare Officer dealing with the scheme shall be the sanctioning authority who shall pass orders on each case on the basis of the spot verification conducted by the Committee for scrutiny or in case of complaint etc. Investigation Officer or any other official deputed for the purpose by the sanctioning authority. The decision of the Director Social Justice and Empowerment shall be final. The order passed by District Social Welfare Officer in each case shall be communicated to the applicant and the Accountant General, Haryana, Chandigarh.
11. STOPPAGE OF ASSISTANCE :

(i) Assistance shall be payable from the date of sanction till the beneficiary completes the age of 18 years. However the District Social Welfare Officer shall have the right to stop payment of assistance, if at any stage it is found that it was sanctioned on a wrong ground or false information or the condition for which the assistance was granted no longer existed..

(ii) Assistance shall cease to be payable on the death of a beneficiary and if the grantee dies before receiving assistance for a particular period, the same shall also lapse.

(iii) In case assistance is sanctioned on the basis of wrong information given by the applicant in his /her application form, the amount given would be recovered as arrears of land revenue .In case of deliberate wrong information the beneficiary shall be liable for prosecution .

(iv) Assistance under this scheme shall not be liable to attachment under any court of law.

(v) After attaining the age of 18 years, the beneficiary should automatically become eligible for handicapped pension.

12 PUBLICITY:

Wide publicity measures will be adopted by way of publishing public notices and display advertisements in the leading newspapers, printing of folders and pamphlets, public notices at all District Social Welfare Offices and similar other public places, advertisement through District Public Relation Officers and by way of Munadi in the Rural and Urban areas.

13 IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING: -

One Post of Investigator in each District/ Headquarter shall be created on contract basis for best Implementation and Monitoring of scheme.

14 BUDGET HEAD.

2235- Social Security & Welfare-02- Social Welfare 101-Welfare of Handicapped –Part I-State Plan Schemes (72) Financial Assistance to non-school going disabled children 09-Grant-in-Aid (New Scheme Plan 2008-09

Chandigarh dated NAVRAJ SANDHU

4^th December,2008 Commissioner & Secretary to Government. Haryana,

Social Justice & Empowerment Department

Endst.No.2351-SW(4)-2008 Chandigarh dated the30-1-2009

A copy is forwarded to the controller, Printing and stationery Department Haryana Chandigarh for publishing in the Haryana Govt. Gazette 150 spare copies may please be supplied to the undersigned at the earlier.

Sd/-

Joint Secretary

for Commissioner & Secretary to Government. Haryana

Social Justice & Empowerment Department.

Endst.No. 2351-SW(4)-2008 Chandigarh dated the 30-1-2009

A copy is forwarded to the following for information and necessary action:-

Director] Social Justice & Empowerment, Haryana.
1. Accountant General] Haryana ( A & E Audit )] Chandigarh.
2. All Deputy Commissioners in the Haryana State.
3. All District Social Welfare Officers in the Haryana State.
4. All District Welfare Officers in the Haryana State.

Sd/-

Joint Secretary

for Commissioner & Secretary to Government. Haryana

Social Justice & Empowerment Department.

A copy is forwarded to the Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary to the Govt. of Haryana, Finance Department with reference to his U.O.No. 1/80//2008-3FG-11/2272 dated 3-12-2008.

The Financial Commissioner & Principal Secretary

to Govt. Haryana, Finance Department.

U.O.No 2351-SW(4)-2008 Chandigarh dated 30-1-2009

HARYANA GOVERNMENT

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT

NOTIFICATION

The 30th October, 2009

No. 1953-SW(4)-2009-In partial modification of Haryana Government, Social Justice & Empowerment Department, Notification No. 2351-SW(4) 2008, dated 30th January, 2009, the Governor of Haryana is pleased to make the following amendments shall come into operation with immediate effect.

1. Sub Para (IV) of Para 3 of the Scheme is omitted.

2. In said scheme sub point (a) of sub para (V) of Para 3 is substituted under:-

(i) Mental Retardation with I.Q. not exceeding 50 or percentage of disability is 70% and above.

(ii) Persons with cerebral palsy.

(iii) Persons with Autism.

(iv) Multiple disability with a total permanent disability of 705 or more disabilities as defined in clause (i) of Section 2 of the persons with Disabilities, Protection or Rights and Full participation) Act, 1995 (\1 of 1996).

(v) Case of orthopaedic Disability with a permanent disability of 100% which are further clarified as under.

(i) Myhopathy

(ii) Paraplegic

(iii) Quadri Plegia.

2. Budget Head

2235-Social Security & Welfare-020- Social Welfare 101-Welfare of Handicapped-part I State Plan Schemes (72) Financial Assistance to non-school going disabled children 09-Grant-in-aid (New Scheme Plan 2009-10).

Sd/-

Chandigarh: Navraj Sandhu,

The 25th August, 2009 Financial Commissioner & Principal Secretary to Govt. Haryana, Social Justice & Empowerment Department.

SCHEME OF DEPLOYMENT OF CAREGIVERS

Introduction & Objectives

It has often been seen that persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities require constant and life long care of their persons. Care giving families have reported that with the increasing age of the child with disability as well as with the increasing age of the primary care givers, particularly the mother, providing care becomes more stressful, more demanding, labour intensive, costly and tiring. Although there are no reliable statistics to determine the population of persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities, it is generally known that those families that have amongst themselves any person having any of the above disabilities go through tremendous physical and financial strains throughout the life of the affected persons. Very often the families do not wish to institutionalize their disabled members not merely because cost of institutionalization is beyond their economic means but also because there is an emotional binding which dictates the decision to retain the disabled family member. The object of the National Trust for the welfare of persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities Act, 1999 is to empower families to retain their disabled members within the family and the community.

As the families are often reluctant and/or do not have the financial means for sending a person to an institution of any type, there is a need to bring relief to such families by providing caregivers services, which may be hired. National Trust has formulated a scheme for training of caregivers and setting up of a cell by6 trained caregivers, which will provide services by changing parents. As all the parents will not be able to pay, it proposed to provide free services to BPL families. The caregivers can change from the APL families. Therefore, the Haryana State has formulated a scheme of Deployment of caregivers. This scheme also takes care of career prospects and career progression of caregivers, effective arrangement for deployment after training & to provide incentive to make care giving as a preferred career. The scheme will be implemented in the group form i.e. Group Care Centre within their locality so that they can avail these services nearest to their home.

B. Training of Caregivers

The National Trust has given training to 68 caregivers in the State. In future, training programme for caregivers will be tied up with the National Trust on need base. The training programmes will be conducted on the basis of training module prescribed by the National Trust. The cost of training and setting up of a cell of caregivers will be met by National Trust. The financial assistance will be give to caregivers NGOs.

C. Coverage of the Scheme

In the first phase this Scheme will be implemented in the selected districts i.e. Rohtak, Sonepat, Bhiwani, Sirsa, Karnal and Faridabad in the State. Gradually, the Scheme may be expanded in other districts on the availability of the funds.

D. Financial Implications of the Scheme

Basically, the Scheme will cover BPL PwD beneficiaries without charging any user’s fees but APL PwD cases may be included in this scheme and for this they will have to pay Rs. 100/- per month as user’s fees. The Scheme will be implemented on group basis and the ratio of BPL PwD & APL PwD will be 5:3. In first phase such ten Group Care Centres will be established. These Centres will be set up through District Red Cross Societies or reputed NGO working in the field of mental retardation. Each Group Care Centre will be run by trained caregiver. Who will be given Rs. 2000/- and Rs. 500/- for every BPL MR child. Minimum number of children 5 and maximum 8. If there are none then. One additional caregiver can be given.( Timing 9 A.M. to 5.00 P.M.).

E. Break-up of Annual Budget for 10 Group Care Centres

Recurring Expenses:

(a) Honorarium to caregivers

@ Rs. 5,000/- per caregivers p.m.- Rs.5,000/- X10X12 = Rs.6,00,000/-

(b) Visit charges of Speech -Rs.250/- X10X24 =Rs. 60,000/- Occupational/PhysioTherapist/Doctors(2 visits per Month @ Rs.250/- per visit)

@ Rs.300/- p.m

(d) One Assistant for Monitoring at Headquarter of Social Justice & Empowerment Haryana.

Non-recurring Expenses ( one time in 5 years )

Furniture (2 chairs, one table, - Rs. 25,000/- X 10 = Rs.2,50,000/-

one almirah ,one dari), play/learning materials, Daily Living Activity material etc.)

The user’s fees received from APL PWD will be utilized for these Group Care Centres on cultural, games and competitive activities etc. of persons with disabilities.

F. Accommodation for Group Care Centre

The rent free accommodation will be provided by Gram Panchayat /Local Bodies of the concerned village/town/city.

Eligibility

(a) The beneficiary i.e. person with disability under National Trust Act should be a domicile of Haryana State & should be residing in Haryana for the last 3 years at the time of submission of application.

(b) The PWD should be the age of below 18 years or have severe disability.

H. Implementing Agency

The District Red Cross Branch of the concerned district or reputed NGO will be the implementing agency which will be selected by the Director, Social Justice & Empowerment Department, Haryana.

I. Release of Funds

The NGO will apply for annual funds to the Director, Social Justice & Empowerment Department, Haryana and the department will release the funds to the concerned NGO in the form of grant-in-aid.

J. Physical & Financial Report

The NGO will submit the physical & financial report quarterly to the Director, Social Justice & Empowerment Department, Haryana. In the end of financial year, income and expenditure statement along with utilization certificate duly issued by the Chartered Accountant will be submitted to the department.

K. Monitoring of the Scheme.

A Nodal Officer will be appointed by the department who will be the authority to monitor the scheme and he/she will be competent to inspect and forward the proposal for grant-in-aid under this Scheme.

*******

Funding to Local Level Committee

Under the local Level Committee, presently. We are providing Rs. 10,000 per annum for the various activities which includes awareness generation, appointment of Guardians, sensitization of NGOs, etc. Now, it is proposed to increase the amount of Rs. 50,000 with the help of State Government so that activities of the LLC Can be increased with additional financial grants for publicity material, provision for appoi8ntment of staff, organizing sensitization public relation activities, as there are number of districts in our country that we are proposing to support, existing LLC as well, to cover the remaining districts of the country which is having large number.

Out of this Rs. 50,000, Rs 10,000 is already given by the National Trust and for the additional Rs. 40,000 we except Rs. 20,000 matching contribution from the State Government so that the balance amount of Rs. 20,000 can be borne by National Trust.

The tentative budget head/ break- up of budget is given below:

(a) Printing of awareness material Rs. 12,000.00

(b) Appointment of contractual staff @ Rs. 250

Per week, 2 days a week Rs. 12,000.00

(d) Awareness/ sensitization/ publicity/ activities Rs. 12,000.00

(e) Contingency (includes monitoring of legal Guardians)Rs. 2,000.00

(f) Vocational/job oriented training/training For self- Rs. 10,000.00

Employment ____________

Rs. 50,000.00

Whether is only one district in the UT, the annual expenditure for the UT share would be Rs. 20000=20,000/- per annum which will take the scheme long way.

NIRAMAYA

(A Health Insurance Scheme for the Welfare of persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities)

The National Trust for the welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities has introduced a Health Insurance Scheme with the collaboration with ICICI Lombard called “Niramaya” for above four disabilities. The details of the Scheme are as under:

OBJECTIVE

To provide affordable Health Insurance to Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation & Multiple Disabilities.
To encourage health services seeking behavior among persons with disability.
to improve the general health condition & quality of life of persons with disability.

SCHEME & ITS COVERAGE

The scheme envisages to deliver ‘Community based’ cover which will

Have a single premium across age band
Provide same coverage irrespective of the type of disability
Insurance cover upto 1.0 lakh Rs. and
All persons with disabilities will be eligible and included and there will be no ‘selection’

The Scheme further envisages that there shall be

No exclusion of Pre-existing condition
Same cover as that for other persons
Services ranging from regular Medical Checkup to Hospitalization. Therapy to Corrective Surgery, Transportation
Conditions requiring repetitive medical intervention as an in-patient
Pre & Post hospitalization expenses, subject to limits.
No pre-insurance medical tests
Cashless settlements only
Smart/Biometric cards with not only health data but also provision for other (Micro) financial data

The details of services with financial limits are as given in Annexure-‘A’. The scheme is extended in all the districts of the country (except J&K)

ENROLMENT OF BENEFICIARIES

All the registered organizations of National Trust are engaged in enrolment of beneficiaries. A sample enrolment form is enclosed in Annexure-B. The same is available in the web site of National Trust (nationaltrust.org.in) also.

ENPANELLMENT OF HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDERS

Under the scheme, health services will be provided by a network of hospital, nursing homes which will be duly empanelled for the scheme. Such service provider shall be of good quality fulfilling relevant requirements of the scheme.

PREMIUM & STOP LOSS

The premium amount is Rs.99/-per year for persons with income upto Rs.15,000/-p.m.which is paid by National Trust Others have to deposited Rs.250/- as processing fee. Details of the payment procedure is given in the enrolment form. In case of total claims exceeding the total premium amount, the Insurance Company will cover the risk up to 120% of the total premium amount i.e. the insurance company can have a stop loss at 120% of total premium amount. Similarly in case of claims falling short of total premium amount , the Insurance company shall pay back 90% of the savings, after deducting 20% as administrative cost.

IMPLEMENTATION

The Nodal Agency for implementation of the scheme is M/S Alegion Insurance Broking Ltd., 117, St. EBBA’S Avenue, P.S. Sivasamy Salai, Millipore, Chennai, Ph.No.9789982257, 9789982242.

The Scheme will be implemented through NGO member of LLC of concerned District. The NGO will enroll the beneficiaries and keep the records of the beneficiaries.

The beneficiary should be a domicile of Haryana State and should be residing in Haryana State for the last three years at the time of submission of application. He/She will have to submit domicile proof for this purpose issued by the competent authority.

ANNEXURE-A
INSURANCE BENEFITS HEALTH
List of Benefits (including pre-existing conditions) Limits (Rs.)

1	Cashless Hospitalization	100000
2	Domiciliary Hospitalization including Nursing charges	20000
3	Corrective Surgeries for existing disability including congenital disability	50000
4	Surgery to prevent further aggravation of disability	15000
5	Post operative care including Therapies for 6 months	15000
6	OPD Services (consultation and medicines) for all ailments and diseases.	10000
7	Regular Medical checkup for non-ailing Disabled.(Per Year)	10000
8	Pathology, Radiology, Advance tests for Diagnosis of illnesses and monitoring disability	7500
9	Ongoing Therapies to reduce impact of disability and disability related complications.	7500
10	Dental-Preventive Dentistry	7500
11	Transport charges for seeking medical services	1500
12	Alternative Medicine	2000

NIRAMAYA

ANNEXURE - B

(Health Insurance Scheme for Persons with Disabilities under the National Trust Act)

ENROLLMENT FORM

Name of Person with Disability (PWD) Passport photo

Father’s / Husband’s Name
(i) Age (ii) Sex (iii) Status : Married/Unmarried
Educational Qualifications
Type of Disability Tick here Percentage

a) Autism

b) Cerebral Palsy

c) Mental Retardation

d) Multiple Disabilities

please specify disabilities

Name of legal guardian, if any and relationship with PWD
Address of PWD for correspondence

PIN Phone email

Family Income of PWD /Parent
If family income above 15000 pm, details of amount

paid by the PWD to National Trust (Niramaya) Bank

Account (State Bank of India A/c 30396764585)*

10 Disability & Income verified & found correct.

(Signature & seal of LLC-NGO member)

11. Name & Designation of the authorized person of the NGO forwarding this enrollment form

Name of the NGO
Place Date Signature of the authorized person

Note:

Persons having family income of Rs.15,000/- p.m. are covered free under the scheme. For others a processing fee of Rs. 250/- to be deposited in savings Account No. 30396764585 in State Bank of India in favour of National Trust (Niramaya) and bank deposit receipt should be affixed as proof of payment along with the enrolment form.
This form can be submitted, till the enrollment process is continuing, to any registered organization of National Trust (list in the web site www.nationaltrust.org.in) in the district or to the registered office of ALEGION Insurance Broking Ltd., 117, St. Ebba’s Avenue, P.S. Sivasamisalai, Millipore, Chennai- 600 004.
Photocopies of Income Certificate, Disability Certificate & Address proof should be attached.
In case of any difficulty in getting the income certificate and /or disability certificate, the same may be obtained from the NGO member of Local Level Committee (LLC) of the district (LLC in case of Jabalpur) (list in the web site www.nationaltrust.org.in) who are authorized to issue such certificates, only for the purpose of this scheme.
Alternatively, income & disability details furnished on the form should be countersigned by the LLC NGO member (LLC in case of Jabalpur)
After submission of enrollment form, it will take around two months to process & distribute Health Card, if approved. Applicants are advised to check up with the NGO concerned where forms were submitted on 10^th/25^th of every month giving two month clear time for processing.

Benefits under the scheme can be availed by showing the health card at empanelled hospitals/health centres on cashless basis anywhere in India. At other places, benefits can be availed on reimbursement basis only.

Subject To implement GHARAUNDA scheme.

-----

National Trust, New Delhi has forwarded a GHARAUNDA scheme under the National Trust Act, 1999 to implement in the State. Under this scheme facilities of whole life shelter and maintenance will be provided to the Autism, cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities. For setting up/implementation of National Trust will provide Rs. 1.00 crore and the same share will be met by the State Government. State Govt. also provide land for construction of Group Home Centre. National Trust desired acceptance of the State for setting up of these centres. This scheme will be run by the NGOs having vast knowledge/experience in the field of Disabled Welfare and having sound financial position.

Under this scheme the following facilities will be provided to the Disabled Persons:-

Barrier free environment will be provided to the inmates;
Healthy diet and hygienic food will be provided 3 times in a day;
Necessary clothes will be provided free of cost;
Health services will be provided round the clock like as physiotherapy, medical check-up, speech therapy etc.
An accidental insurance policy amounting to Rs.50,000/- for each inmates;
Educational and Vocational Training facilities will also be provided;
Recreational and supports facilities;
Female caretaker will be provided to female inmates separately;
Complete security arrangement.

A memorandum of agreement between the National Trust and care service provider will be signed.

Under this scheme a corpus fund will be set up in which an amount of Rs. 2.00 crore (1.00 crore National Trust & 1.00 crore State Govt.) out of which the expenses relating to building, furniture, boarding-lodging, utensils etc. will be met out. In the initial stage group home measuring approximately 5000 sq.foot covered area will be set up for 40 inmates and for this purpose Rs.50.00 lakh will be met out of the corpus fund. The interest amount accrued on the remaining 1.50 crore rupee (approximate Rs.15.00 lakh) will be utilised for running/providing facilities to the inmates. As per the estimate Rs.4,000/- per month, per inmate purposed to be utilised and in this way Rs.11,52,000/- ¼4000x24x12=11]52]000@&½ annually will be utilised.

Out of the 40 seats 24 seats will be reserved for the beneficiaries belonging to BPL category and remaining 16 seats will be kept as paid seat for the inmates belonging above poverty line category. For this Rs. 9.60 lakh per seat will be charged from the parents/guardians of the inmate.

As regards the availability of land for construction of building it is purposed that land available in the premises of District Rehabilitation Centre, Bhiwani can be utilised for construction of building for the group care centre boys and the land/building available with Mahila Ashram, Rohtak can be utilised for the female group care centre.

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/resources/information-about-schemes-for-disabled-haryana

Indian Users’ Perspective On WIPO Negotiations On Treaty For Visually Impaired

praskrishna — 2013-02-18T09:07:06Z

South-East Asia is host to one-third of the world’s 39 million blind people. Over 20 million live in India alone. This week’s special session of the World Intellectual Property Organization aims to clean up the text of an international treaty to facilitate access to books for the blind and visually impaired community. It is thus of prime importance for India, and some there worry that issues such as commercial availability could undermine the treaty’s effectiveness.

This blog post by Catherine Saez was published in Intellectual Property Watch on February 16, 2013, Nirmita Narasimhan is quoted.

According to Nirmita Narasimhan, policy director with the Center for Internet and Society, barely five percent of published books in India are available in accessible formats. Visually impaired people struggle to get access to “education, news and entertainment, cultural materials, and employment.”

For instance, she told Intellectual Property Watch “even where there are seats reserved forl the blind in universities, there may not be enough applicants/candidates to fill those seats because of lack of educational resources.”

“Leisure reading and being up to date with the latest bestsellers is of course also a problem because these are unavailable at the time these reach the global market,” she said.

“Until last year, we did not have any fair use exception in our copyright law permitting conversion,” Narasimhan said. The new copyright amendment [pdf], which amended the Indian copyright Act of 1957, was adopted in May 2012 (IPW, Inside Views, 22 January 2013) but “has not yet translated into significant results in terms of accessible books,” Narasimhan said. The amendment allows conversion of books to accessible formats.

There are very limited resources in India, “both in terms of finances as well as manpower to carry out conversion activities, and a demand which far outstrips the supply, hence disability organisations struggle to keep up with the demand for accessible books,” she said, adding that “unlike organisations in other countries, organisations in India do not receive any government support for carrying out funding activities.”

Progress is slow and we still do not have complete access to global online collections such as Bookshare since there is some ambiguity regarding the definition of an ‘accessible format’ in our copyright act. Talking books are not explicitly mentioned in the Act,” she added. “Talking books” refer to books under a Digital Accessible Information SYstem (Daisy) format. The Copyright Amendment Bill of 2012 also does not address import and export, she said.

According to the Daisy Consortium, which includes 20 full members and over 40 associate members, a Daisy book is “a set of digital files” that includes “one or more digital audio files containing a human narration of part or all of the source text, a marked-up file containing some or all of the text (…), a synchronisation file to relate markings in the text file with time points in the audio file, and a navigation control file which enables the user to move smoothly between files while synchronisation between text and audio is maintained.“

“The Daisy Forum of India is an active network of over 85 organisations who are converting into Daisy, but the number of books with them is still significantly lower than those available in other countries,” she said.

“Technological solutions are still by and large unavailable in rural areas,” Narasimhan said. “Hence, while solutions like electronic text are useful in cities, audio or Braille would still be the primary means of reading for the blind in rural India.”

India is also working on a draft Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill. In particular, Article 51 on access to information and communication technology states that measures should be taken so that “all content in whichever medium whether audio, print or electronic shall be

made available to persons with disabilities in accessible format,” and that “persons with disabilities have access to electronic media by providing for audio description, sign language interpretation and close captioning.”

International Treaty of Utmost Importance

“Countries like India could benefit tremendously from access to accessible versions of books in libraries around the world,” according to Narasimhan. “It would dispense with the administrative mechanism of seeking copyright permissions, which would greatly ease the life of disability organisations engaged in conversions.”

A paper, posted on the CIS-India website on 23 January, by Rahul Cherian, founder of Inclusive Planet Centre for Disability Law and Policy, said next week’s session “is probably the last change to sort out the major outstanding issues in the text of the document before the diplomatic conference.”

“One of the most critical issues that remain outstanding is the desire that some government negotiators have to link the use of the treaty provisions or copyright exceptions to commercial unavailability of the work in accessible formats,” he wrote, underlining the “impossibility of verifying commercial availability with any degree of certainty.”

In particular, the linkage between commercial availability and the exceptions appear at two places in the treaty, he said: in Article C (National law limitations and exceptions on accessible format copies) and in Article D (Cross-Border exchange of accessible format copies).

The paper gives the example of the complexity of exception in relation to cross-border exchange. “Imagine that the United Kingdom introduces a provision in their copyright law allowing the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to export accessible format copies to people with visual impairment in Chennai but only after verifying that the accessible format copy cannot be otherwise obtained within a reasonable time and at a reasonable price.”

“Remember that ‘reasonable price’ in India means that the accessible format copy of the work is available at prices that are affordable in that market, taking into account the needs and income disparities of persons who have limited vision and those with print disabilities,” it states.

He questioned how the RNIB based in the UK could even begin to undertake this exercise which would entail several steps such as checking whether the accessible format copy is available in India, understanding the needs and income disparities of those with limited vision and print disabilities, and checking the cost of the accessible format copy and determine whether the cost of the accessible format copy is reasonable.

Linking commercial availability and exceptions as mentioned in Article C, Cherian said, “will lead to countries such as India being put under pressure from the European Union and the United States to amend our Copyright Act and linking our exceptions to commercial availability,” and he added, “the same applies to countries that want to introduce copyright exceptions after the Treaty.”

Rahul Cherian died unexpectedly on 7 February.

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/news/ip-watch-feb-16-2013-catherine-saez-indian-users-perspective-on-wipo-negotiations-on-treaty-for-visually-impaired

Indian Government Websites Not Accessible Enough for the Disabled

Srinivasu Chakravarthula — 2011-11-08T05:50:32Z

Innumerable websites! All are citizen centric. But are they accessible to you? Srinivasu Chakravarthula examines this and stresses that website owners need to follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 to enable persons with disabilities and the elderly to surf portals more effectively.

Today, there are about 7800 Central and state government websites hosted by the National Informatics Centre (NIC). They are all certainly citizen centric – whether it is the Ministry of Finance, banks, the passport authority, educational board, transport, consumer affairs, or the most important website that generates revenue for the government – the Income Tax Department.

However, the question which we need to ask is whether these websites are up-to-date and accessible to everyone? Internet is often more useful to people who are elderly and for people having disabilities.

So what does accessibility really mean? Accessibility is nothing but ensuring that information and functionality is available to all users including people with disabilities. The Accessibility Guidelines identify an accessible website as one which can be perceived, operated, understood and is robust. Today, thanks to the advancement of technology, people with disabilities are able to use computers and perform every task that others do. For example, a visually impaired person uses the screen reader to access the computer; a deaf blind user uses a refreshable Braille display, hearing impaired persons rely on captions to understand the multimedia, learning disabled users rely on image based content and elderly people prefer to see large fonts and so on. In addition, there are lots of features available in the browser itself. For instance, in Firefox, we can increase the font size by using the key combination of CTRL and Plus and can also change the contrast of the page.

Having said that, website owners need to follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 to enable people with disabilities and the elderly to surf the Web more effectively. In India, the Government of India and the state governments need to follow the Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) formulated by NIC.

A brief survey of some 1500 of these websites revealed that barely one per cent of these meet the requirements of the above guidelines. Many of them are not up-to-date and some don’t even reveal their government identity that could actually make users think of authentication.

The websites were checked for their elements and their mark-up; which means, audit was conducted to see text alternatives for non-text elements such as images, videos, buttons, etc. Other criteria were the presence of heading structures, associated labels for form fields, grouping of form elements, keyboard access for navigation, slide shows and other media, links and image maps. The test also checked to see if rich functionality works with keyboard and on text browsers; whether flash content works well with screen readers and documents are verified for accessibility; in addition, websites were checked for the colour contrast.

The methodology used to test the websites was a combination of automated and manual testing. The initial testing was done using the automated evaluation tool WAVE, a Firefox add-on which checked for errors and features, structure, outline of the website, simulation of text version and simulation with no styles. This was followed by a manual check for appropriate text alternatives, heading structure, form labels, colour contrast, etc. The test revealed that most of the websites were not accessible, merely due to the lack of semantic mark up and common errors, some of which are described below:

No text alternatives for images – Without text alternatives, neither screen reader users nor search engines and those who disable display of the images on the browser can perceive information about the image.
No associated labels for form fields – Without associated labels, screen readers will treat the form fields as orphan form fields with no labels and read them as "unlabelled"fields. Hence, it will be impossible for visually impaired users to fill in those forms.
No heading structure defined – This would create an issue both for search engines as well as persons with disabilities. Assistive technologies such as screen readers usually have access keys for users to quickly navigate a page, which rely on the mark-up.
Deprecated Marquee has been used – This is a deprecated element in HTML and ought not be used anymore.
No keyboard functionality for flash content and drop down menus – Without keyboard support, people with mobility limitations and visually impaired or elderly users and those who do not wish to use the mouse cannot perceive the information.
Not enough government identity is present – It is GIGW’s requirement that all government websites should display government’s identity through emblems.
Several websites have poor color contrast – This will prevent people who are elderly and persons with low vision from easily identifying the content of a web page.
Several websites have used table based layouts – This is not the best practice to control the layout; one should use Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).
Information is cluttered in some well known websites such as that of the Income Tax department – It will be difficult to perceive information easily by people who are elderly, who have low vision, have learning disabilities and those who surf the Web through mobile devices.
Several websites do not have a mechanism to send feedback – It is again a GIGW requirement that every website should have such a mechanism.
There is no mechanism to skip the navigational module – This is an extremely useful feature to help screen readers and keyboard users to skip navigational links and directly access the main content.
No accessibility options such as large text or colour schemes are provided – This would be helpful to less experienced users who are as yet unaware of in-built browser options.
Several forms do not have a mechanism for error handling – It is necessary to inform users about errors before submitting the form.
Several websites do not have appropriate page titles – Page titles help users to know where they are on their computer.
Many websites do not have site map – This is an easy way to have access to all the pages at one place.

Hence, there is a lot to be done to actually enable every citizen to use these citizen centric websites. There are guidelines in place at http://web.guidelines.gov.in and it's time for every ministry to ensure successful implementation and to make their portals accessible to all.

Srinivasu Chakravarthula is an accessibility manager at Yahoo, India and has several years of experience in the field of website accessibility.

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/govt-websites-not-accessible

India’s missing disabled population

nirmita — 2015-09-10T16:31:49Z

The highest rates of disability are amongst those who are vision-impaired, and those who have problems to do with movement.

The article by Sachin P. Mampatta was published in Livemint on September 7, 2015. Nirmita Narasimhan gave her inputs.

Nirmita Narasimhan remembers the census takers coming to her home. They didn’t ask her question number nine. It was about disability. They said that it makes people uncomfortable.

Narasimhan is a policy director who works on disability issues at The Centre for Internet and Society, an NGO. She insisted that they ask questions on disability. Later, she found out that others too had a similar experience. Those conducting the census often skip the question. Sometimes families are reluctant to talk about it too.

The result is that India has far lower reported instances of disability than most other places in the world. This also means that policy action is effectively running blind, unsure of the scale of the disability issues in the country or its specifics.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) in a report in 2011 estimated that 15.3% of the world’s population deals with disability of one kind or the other. The 2011 census puts India’s disabled at 2.21% of the population.

India's low incidence of disability

The average number of disabled people in India is lower than the global figure as well as the number for high income countries. It is also lower than the corresponding figures for low-income and middle-income countries (between and including African to Western Pacific in the chart).

Different categories as percentage of total disability

Disabilities related to movement, hearing and sight are the most common, according to the Census


Above: A bar chart depicting the world population with disability. India is at lowest. Source: Global Burden of Disease estimates for 2004 (World report on disability 2011 - World Health Organisation), Census 2011 Get the data

The latest census number is not very different from that of the 2001 census when the disabled populace was at 2.13% or from the 2002 National Sample Survey figure which estimated this figure at 1.8%. That just points out for how long the problem has been prevalent in official statistics.

The WHO report used statistics from the Global Burden of Disease estimates for 2004 for comparison. But the situation now is likely to be worse. A WHO factsheet says that “rates of disability are increasing in part due to ageing populations and an increase in chronic health conditions”.

Many people don’t disclose disability because of stigma. Global figures also take into account age-related disability, and those whose function is affected by issues such as diabetes. India does not count these among the disabled. Here, the categories are largely traditional such as blindness and deafness. The highest rates of disability are amongst those who are vision-impaired, and those who have problems to do with movement.

Different categories as percentage of total disability

Disabilities related to movement, hearing and sight are the most common, according to the Census.


Above: A bar chart depicting the percentage of various forms of disabilities Source: Census 2011 Get the data

While the scope of definitions is part of the problem, India’s disability estimation problem is not unrecognized.

“In India, the disability sector in general estimates that 4-5% of the population is disabled. The Planning Commission recognizes this figure as 5%. A report by the World Bank states that while estimates vary, there is growing evidence that persons with disability… constitute between 4-8% of India’s population,” said a December 2011 International Labour Organisation report by Meera Shenoy called, “Persons With Disability and the Indian Labour Market: Challenges and Opportunities”.

The lower-than-actual figures have other repercussions. What’s the literacy rate among the disabled, for instance? The census, of course, says that more than 54.51% of India’s disabled population is literate. But policy analysts such as Narasimhan say that may be inflated again because of under-reporting.

“The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan has contributed to getting a lot of children into school, and the thrust has largely been seen over the last decade or so. Unfortunately, many may not be able to continue in school, though they do manage to attend for a couple of years. This may be enough for them to pick up sufficient skills to be declared literate, where the test is generally rudimentary, say the ability to write your own name. But this does not translate into employability. The majority would still not be able to meet basic criteria required for landing a job. The resources required to make this happen is far in excess of the current expenditure,” said Dipendra Manocha, president, founder and managing trustee, Saksham Trust.

Census data shows that 63.66% of the disabled population is not working compared to 60.21% of the able-bodied. But those working in the field say that employability figures are likely very poor on account of limited resources and difficulties in providing them with skills which could lead to employability. While some among these in the census are students or draw a pension, the majority remain dependent on others.

Status of disabled non-workers

The majority of disabled non-workers are dependent on others, and most don't draw a pension. (Figures are as percentage of overall disabled population, those part of the work-force are not included).


Above: Bar chart depicting categories of disabled population. Source: Census 2011 Get the data

The need for greater attention and resources to this segment is clear from the fact that India’s disability numbers, even with the under-reporting, is higher than the population of entire nations.

Scale of the issue

India's disabled population is higher than the total populations of several countries, despite the under-reporting.Figure below shows India's disabled numbers, and total population (disabled + non-disabled) of other countries.


Above: Bar chart depicting India's disabled numbers. Source: Census 2011, World Bank (Figures for 2011) Get the data

A 2007 World Bank report says that while India has one of the most progressive disability policy frameworks in the developing world—what with acts such as the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995—implementation is poor. The report’s key recommendation is to “get the basics right”, especially identifying people with disabilities as soon as possible after onset. Almost a decade later, nothing seems to have changed.

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/news/livemint-sachin-p-mampatta-september-10-2015-indias-missing-disabled-population

India- EU FTA: A Note on the Copyright Issues

nehaa — 2013-07-03T06:47:08Z

In this blog post, Nehaa Chaudhari gives us an overview of some of the provisions of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the copyright issues identified therein.

Click to download the India-EU FTA: A Note on Copyright Issues (PDF, 205 Kb)

Against the backdrop of ongoing negotiations dating back to 2007, and, more recently, with parties being unable to make substantial progress on the Indo-EU FTA[1] this note presents an overview on some of the provisions of the FTA and the copyright issues identified therein. This note deals with the issues on two levels- first to examine the impact of intellectual property right provisions in FTAs in general and second to apply these generic principles to the Indo- EU FTA specifically.

Introduction

Investment agreements, of which bilateral investment treaties are a part, and investment chapters in various FTAs often result in an increase in the effective levels of intellectual property protection in one of the countries that is a part to the agreement. This can be done either explicitly, where ‘investment’ may be defined to include IP, or implicitly, for instance, through an expropriation provision.[2] This has concurrently witnessed the growing realization that the promotion of these increased IP standards is not suited to the need of developing countries. Therefore, it has been observed[3]that there is now an attempt by the developed countries to use FTAs as a forum to push for higher standards of IP protection in developing countries, and to restrict the scope of the flexibilities offered by TRIPS, most notably in the sectors of protection of plant varieties, patents and access to medicine, farmers rights and access to information.[4]This approach is inherently problematic, because it then infringes on the developing countries’ ability to achieve their developmental objectives.

Dismantling the Arguments In Favour of Increased IP Protection

A prevalent view of thought is that in order to increase Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), developing countries would have to increase their IP protection. This section of the paper seeks to argue that this might not necessarily be the case.

An illustration of the aforesaid proposition may be Heald’s criticism[5] levied on Mansfield’s paper[6] arguing that there was a direct correlation between the level of intellectual property protection in a country and the foreign direct investment into that country. Further, a study[7] conducted under the aegis of the United Nations has suggested that there was a ‘considerable incentive’ for countries to use the flexibilities provided under TRIPS to maximise net benefits for their development; stating that while in countries with a capacity to innovate stronger IPR protection can reap some benefits in terms of greater innovation at home and a greater diffusion of technology, the same cannot be said about nations without such a capacity, and may in fact impose additional costs.[8]

Specifically in the area of copyright, it has been observed that increased copyright protection can hamper the growth and development of knowledge based industries. Sanya Smith argues that those who control copyright have a ‘significant advantage’ in the knowledge based economy, and says that in the current scenario where ownership of copyright is largely in the hands of industrialized nations, this places developing nations, and smaller economies at a significant disadvantage.[9] She also goes on to argue that increasing copyright protection alone does not seem to be sufficient to stimulate industries, and there may other factors involved. Additionally, copyright could also significantly increase the cost of creative industries.[10] More fundamentally however, access to information and knowledge are amongst the most affected areas as a result of tightening of copyright laws, leaving students, academicians, researchers, scientists and persons with print disability significantly disadvantaged.

Implications of the Copyright Provisions in the Proposed Indo- EU FTA

Based on the general discussion earlier, this section of the paper seeks to examine the proposed and long debated Indo- EU FTA for the concerns enumerated earlier. As things currently stand, both parties have failed to reach a consensus on various substantial differences, and a ministerial meet originally scheduled for June seems unlikely to take place.[11]

It has been observed[12] that the Indo- EU FTA[13] includes various provisions that preserve the flexibilities offered under the TRIPS framework. This is extremely critical from the perspective of developing countries, given that access to knowledge is an extremely important ideal to be preserved. For instance, as noted by Knowledge Ecology International[14]the proposed FTA includes Articles 7 (Objectives) and 8 (Principles) of the TRIPS[15] by reference. Further, the language of Article 13 under the proposed FTA explicitly recognizes the importance of the Doha Declaration, which is a positive step.[16] It has been said however, that stronger language where the parties ‘affirmed’ their obligations under the Declaration could have been used.[17] However, this does not take away from the fact that many of the provisions of the proposed FTA are extremely problematic, as will be discussed in the forthcoming parts of this paper.

Problematic Provisions

The main concern that has emerged from this FTA is the fact that some of its provisions dealing with IPR go beyond the mandate as under the TRIPS Agreement. For instance, as pointed out by Shamnaad Basheer to Intellectual Property Watch, various provisions now provide for intermediary liability, which isn’t present in TRIPS. He also adds however, that if the initial stand of the government that India would not go TRIPS plus continues to hold, the government should indeed adopt a strong stance and not cave in to the said provisions.[18] An overview of some of the problematic provisions has been presented hereafter:

International Obligations

As per the proposed treaty, protection granted by the parties should be in accordance with the Berne Convention, the Rome Convention and the WIPO Copyright and Performance and Phonograms Treaties. Snehashish Ghosh in his blog post[19] writes that the EU stipulates compliance with Articles 1 through 22 of the Rome Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations (1961), Articles 1 through 14 of the WIPO Copyright Treaty – WCT (Geneva, 1996), Articles 1 through 23 of the WIPO Performance and Phonograms Treaty – WPPT (Geneva, 1996). It is critical to note that the Rome Convention is not in force in India[20], and that India is not a party to either the WCT[21] or the WPPT[22], and therefore, this provision would have the effect of substantially surpassing all obligations that India has at the moment under multilateral international agreements.

Technical Protection Measures (TPMs) and Digital Rights Management (DRM)

A TPM, understood simply, is a lock in a digital format, placed on digital material to prevent access to or copying of the material in question. The problem with such measures is that they can prevent even those forms of copying which are legal (for instance, the copying of a movie on which copyright has expired could be prevented), creating a potentially infinite monopoly over the product in question. India, in its negotiations with the EU, has agreed to sweeping language under this provision, where TPMs and DRM measures are broadly defined. The Agreement further provides for limitations on TPM protections only to persons who have “legal access to the protected work or subject matter”.[23]

Copyright Expansion

There are various provisions under the proposed FTA that have the effect of copyright expansion. To begin with, the duration of protection for photographic works is not expressly mentioned in the proposed agreement.[24] Snehashish Ghosh concludes that the term of photographic works is unclear in the proposed FTA. He writes that the proposed FTA makes it mandatory for the parties to comply with the Berne Convention, and all literary and artistic work under the proposed FTA is to be construed as the same as the Berne Convention[25]. Photographic works are included under literary and artistic works under the Berne Convention, and the rights of an author in case of photographic works are protected for a minimum period of 25 years. However, the proposed FTA extends the period of protection to beyond that prescribed by the Berne Convention and states that protection is given to literary and artistic works (as defined in the Berne Convention) for a period of the duration of the life of the author plus fifty years after this death. It further states that works for which the period of protection is not calculated from the death of the author, and which have not been lawfully made available to the public within at least 50 years from their creation, the protection shall terminate.[26]

Article 7.6 (proposed by the EU), limits the resale rights of a downstream purchaser. It has been noted by Knowledge Ecology International[27] that this seems to give the author of an original work of art a right in perpetuity, to receive a royalty for the resale of the piece of art, where such right cannot be waived or transferred by the author of the work. Therefore, a situation would arise where each time a person who has purchased the work wants to resell the same, he would have to pay royalties to the original author.[28] The observations further go on to note that royalties are not limited, and the amount has to be determined by national legislation. Further complicating the situation is the fact that the provision does not cease to apply after a given number of re-sales, and continues to the death of the author (but might not into the 50 year protection post the death of the author).[29]

Exceptions and limitations for copyright have been covered under Article 7.9(1) of the proposed FTA, and they may be created “only” in accordance with the three step test, which is essentially that (a) the exceptions and limitations must apply in certain special cases; (b) must not be in conflict with the normal course of exploitation of the subject matter in question and (c) must not unreasonably prejudice the legitimate interests of the right holders.[30] It has been observed that this test is more restrictive than TRIPS, Berne Convention, Rome Convention or the WCT.[31]

On the plus side, temporary copies have been excluded from copyright protection, as per Article 7.9(2) of the proposed FTA, which would ensure the proper functioning of technology.

Persons with Disabilities

There is nothing that deals with the import/export or cross border exchange of files/documents/books etc. for persons with disabilities.

Cross Border Measures

Cross Border Measures have been dealt with under Article 30 of the proposed FTA. It is interesting to note that under this Article the EU has proposed the application of border measures to exports as well. This is contrary to the position laid down in the TRIPS Agreement, which has this requirement only for importing infringing goods.[32] Further, the EU also seeks to expand the applicability of such measures to include those goods which also infringe designs or geographical indications. Additionally, Article 30 also leaves out certain TRIPS safeguards, for instance, one that requires the right holder to provide adequate evidence for a prima facie case of infringement.[33]

Intermediary Liability

It has been suggested that the EU, under the garb of protecting intermediate service providers from liability for infringement by users, is purporting to place a greater burden on the providers in question, of policing user activity.[34] For instance under Article 35.1.1 of the proposed FTA, while service providers are not under any general obligation to seek facts or circumstances that could indicate illegal activity, they may be obligated to promptly inform competent authorities of these alleged illegal activities undertaken/information provided by recipients of their service. [35] Otherwise, the providers may also be required to communicate to the authorities, on their request, information that would enable the identification of their service with whom they have storage agreements, as per Article 35.1.2.[36] It has been rightly identified by Glover Wright, that such provisions would only serve to increase tensions between the users and their service providers, with relations dictated by concerns about liability, and barriers in the sending, receiving and storing of information freely. It would be a tricky question for intermediate service providers to check what would constitute ‘knowledge’ and how they were to best safeguard themselves from liability.[37] Therefore, the author is inclined to agree with Wright’s submission that India needs to reject all provisions of liability of intermediate service providers as discussed above.

IP Enforcement

There exist, as regards the enforcement of rights, many problematic provisions in the proposed FTA. For starters, the EU has proposed that interlocutory injunctions may also be issued under the same conditions against an intermediary whose services are being used by a third party to infringe intellectual property rights.[38] This may be found under Article 22.1 of the proposed FTA, and is inherently problematic for being a provision far beyond the mandate as laid down by TRIPS.

The EU is also pushing for the use of very explicit language as regards seizing movable and immovable property of the alleged infringer as a precautionary measure. This also extends to the blocking of the bank accounts and other assets of the said infringer, and to this end, competent authorities may even order the communication of bank, financial or commercial documents, or access to the said information.[39] It is critical to note that such a provision is greatly problematic as being rather vague in its approach, and very readily compromising privacy for ‘alleged’ acts of infringement.

It is further critical to note that while Article 20 states that courts should have the power to grant ex parte order to collect evidence that is allegedly infringing, there are no safeguards provided for protection of a bona fide defendant whose premises might have been raided wrongly. It is submitted that provisions that safeguard the interests of defendants are of prime importance, especially in the Indian set up, where courts are as it is rather generous in their granting of ex parte orders.

Concluding Observations

While India may stand to benefit from the proposed FTA with the EU, there remain significant IP related issues that need to be ironed out before India comes to any consensus about the agreement and ratifies the same. On the basis of the discussion over the course of this paper, it may be seen that the provisions on intellectual property rights are problematic on various levels, particularly in the areas of expansion of copyright, the inclusion of TRIPS plus provisions, cross border measures, TPMs, liability of service providers and enforcement mechanisms.

Discussions in the first half of this paper have demonstrated that increased IP protections do not necessarily translate into increased FDI and may in fact stifle innovation. Further, the warning to developing countries against adopting IPR standards fixed by developed nations has been sounded many times over, and is one that needs to be heeded to very closely for developing nations to achieve their developmental objectives.

India has over a period of time established an IP regime that is consumer friendly. In adopting the proposed FTA in its current form, she risks endangering this regime that has thus far been instrumental in proliferating emerging technologies in the county.[40] Given that India has already acceded to international standards for IPRs as a result of being a member of the WTO and being TRIPS compliant, there is no cogent reason to be made out that warrants the accession to an FTA with TRIPS plus provisions. India ought to continue to push back strongly on these fronts, bearing in mind that its stance could very well set the tone for other such agreements in South Asia. From the way things stand at the moment, it is indeed a matter of some relief that the ratification of this proposed FTA still appears to be at a considerable distance.

[1].Hereafter referred to as the FTA.

[2]. Sanya Reid Smith, Intellectual Property in Free Trade Agreements, for the UNDP Regional Trade Workshop (17-18 December, Penang, Malaysia), available at http://bit.ly/11W8dqy (last accessed 04 June, 2013).

[3]. Id.

[4]. Id at 5.

[5]. Supra note 2, citing PJ Heald, Information Economics and Policy 16 (2004) 57-65

[6]. Edwin Mansfield, Intellectual Property Protection, Foreign Direct Investment and Technology Transfer, International Finance Corporation: Discussion Paper No. 19, available at http://bit.ly/18V4D5v (last accessed 05 June, 2013)

[7]. See generally- Rod Falvey et. al., The Role of Intellectual Property Rights in Technology Transfer and Economic Growth: Theory and Evidence, United Nations Industrial Development Organization: Discussion Paper (2006), available at http://bit.ly/11JBR4o (last accessed 05 June, 2013).

[8]. Id.

[9]. Supra note 2 at 23.

[10]. Supra note 2 at 23.

[11]. PTI, India – EU FTA Talks Fail to Bridge Gaps, available at http://bit.ly/19LJaeP (last accessed 05 June, 2013).

[12]. Krista Cox, Quick Reaction to the EU/India (BTIA) Negotiating Text, available at http://keionline.org/node/1693 (last accessed 04 June, 2013).

[13]. Hereafter referred to as the FTA

[14]. KEI Staff, More Notes on the India EU FTA (BTIA), available at http://keionline.org/node/1692 (last accessed 05 June, 2013).

[15]. See http://bit.ly/13XhCfZ for more details, and for the bare text of the Articles. (last accessed 05 June, 2013).

[16]. Supra note 14.

[17]. Supra note 12.

[18]. Patralekha Chatterjee, Leaked IP Chapter of India- EU FTA Shows TRIPS-PLUS Pitfalls for India, Expert Says, available at http://bit.ly/Y7w70e (last accessed 05 June, 2013).

[19]. Snehashish Ghosh, Analysis of Copyright Expansion in the India-EU FTA (July 2010), available at http://bit.ly/ysitEC (last accessed 03 June, 2013).

[20]. For the status of Contracting Parties, see http://bit.ly/UITpsX (last accessed 05 June, 2013).

[21]. For the status of Contracting Parties, see http://bit.ly/f92xL2 (last accessed 05 June, 2013).

[22]. For the status of Contracting Parties, see http://bit.ly/fEsUAF (last accessed 05 June, 2013).

[23]. Supra note 14.

[24]. Supra note 19.

[25]. Supra note 19.

[26]. Supra note 19.

[27]. Supra note 12.

[28]. Supra note 12.

[29]. Supra note 12.

[30]. Supra note 12.

[31]. Supra note 14.

[32]. Supra note 12.

[33]. Supra note 12.

[34]. See Article 35 of the Proposed FTA.

[35]. Glover Wright, A Guide to the Proposed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement, available at http://bit.ly/16Dfuga (last accessed 05 June, 2013) at 12- 14.

[36]. Id.

[37]. Id.

[38]. Thiru, EU-India FTA: EU Pushes for IP Enforcement- IP Chapter Draft Text Under Negotiation (2013), available at http://keionline.org/node/1681 (last accessed 05 June, 2013).

[39]. See Article 22.3 of the proposed FTA.

[40]. Supra note 35.

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/india-eu-fta-copyright-issues

India's Ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty Celebrated; Accessible Books Consortium Launched

nehaa — 2014-07-01T11:09:08Z

On Day 1 of the 28th Session of the World Intellectual Property Organization (“WIPO”) Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (“SCCR”), the WIPO organized an event to mark India’s ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled, 2013 (“Marrakesh Treaty”), and to launch the Accessible Books Consortium (“ABC”).

India Becomes the First Country to Ratify the Marrakesh Treaty

Francis Gurry, Director General, WIPO said that the Marrakesh Treaty received 79 signatures in the twelve month period that the treaty was open for signatures. He further said that India’s ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty one year from its conclusion was a “WIPO record of sorts” and a “great example from a major country” of the importance attached to the Marrakesh Treaty.

Dilip Sinha, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations in Geneva handed over India’s Instrument of Accession to the Marrakesh Treaty to Francis Gurry. Ambassador Sinha in his speech stressed on the importance of the Marrakesh Treaty to India and said that it helped that India had its amendments to its Copyright Act, 1957 in place, incorporating the provisions of the Marrakesh Treaty.

Maryanne Diamond, the Immediate Past President of the World Blind Union (“WBU”) congratulated India on its ratification. Calling it a country who showed “huge leadership” in negotiations of the Marrakesh Treaty, Ms. Diamond said that this ratification was extremely significant, with India being home to a large number of blind and print disabled people and a part of the Global South. Ms. Diamond urged other nations to follow India’s example and make it a priority to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty.

Jens Bammel, Secretary General, International Publishers Association (“IPA”) also congratulated India on its ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty and called on other member states to ratify it.

Accessible Books Consortium Launched

At the launch of the ABC, Mr. Gurry said that the Marrakesh Treaty was only the means to an end, where the end was books in the hands of print disabled and visually impaired persons across the world. “To make it operational,” said Mr. Gurry, “we need to have operational activities.” He said that the ABC was an operational activity which would “breathe life” into and “make operational” the legal framework provided by the Marrakesh Treaty.

What Does it Do?

Mr. Gurry said that the ABC aimed at achieving three things- first, capacity building; second, international book exchange and third, international book exchange.

Capacity Building- Mr. Gurry said that the ABC seeks to provide training on accessible book production and distribution. He thanked the Republic of Korea which has committed to providing financial assistance for training in respect of production of books in accessible formats.
International Book Exchange- Mr. Gurry said that this activity was an IT supported facility, namely, the TIGAR Service which has its origins in India. This would allow participating institutions to perform international searches of databases to find out if accessible formats of books are available.
Inclusive Publishing- Mr. Gurry said that at the end of the day, “books should be born accessible” and technology was creating the “promise of the realization of this aspiration.” Mr. Gurry said that the ABC would promote accessible publishing and to this end, had drawn up a charter of accessible publishing- Accessible Publishing Best Practice Guidelines for Publishers. Elsevier is the first publisher to have signed this charter.

India, WBU and IPA delighted

Praising the ABC, Ambassador Sinha called it an indicator of what multi-stakeholder cooperation needs to do. He said that the ABC would assist organizations such as the DAISY Forum of India in achieving the goal of access to books in accessible formats. Congratulating the WIPO for its efforts on this front, Ambassador Sinha said that this would help nations like India realize their goal of achieving the purposes of the Marrakesh Treaty. Ms. Diamond, representing the WBU congratulated Elsevier on signing the charter. Jens Bammel, on behalf of the IPA expressed concern for making books available in accessible formats for non English speakers. The ABC, he said, was a project initiated to “genuinely complement” the Marrakesh Treaty, and would create a global catalogue of accessible works, whether provided by libraries or by publishers. Expressing his delight that the ABC was being supported equally by all stakeholders, Mr. Bammel reached out to member states to support this initiative politically.

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/indias-ratification-of-marrakesh-treaty-celebrated

India's Opening Statement on the Treaty for the Visually Impaired at SCCR 24

pranesh — 2012-07-23T15:24:26Z

This was the opening statement of the Indian delegation, delivered by G.R. Raghavender, on Thursday, July 19, 2012, at the 24th meeting of the SCCR at WIPO in Geneva. The statement called upon all countries to conclude textual work on the treaty and call for a Diplomatic Conference to finalize it. This statement received applause, which is highly unusual at the SCCR.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The Indian delegation is a little bit disappointed about the way we have started this topic of the Treaty for the Visually Impaired. Forgive me, Mr. Chairman, we have confidence in your abilities, but unfortunately we have already lost one hour in this afternoon session. We have only two hours left, unless and until we decide to work beyond 6:00 P.M.

We have a document, SCCR/23/7, on the table. Everybody has this document. We all decided in the last SCCR that we will work on this document and move towards a meaningful treaty. We said, in this very 24th SCCR, we will be ready for that. We should have started article-by-article discussions by now. And as we are involved in the general statements in our agenda, I can go on reading a statement for another 20 minutes as I have about five pages written out. But given our support for the treaty, I won't.

I'm sorry, I respect all the distinguished delegations: they have their own concerns, but Mr. Chairman, under your leadership we should have started article-by-article discussions by now. Yesterday, in the evening at the Chairman plus group leaders plus 3, we all requested that. Whatever happened during the 14, 15 intersessional meetings, we have no objection to that, but people raise the issue of transparency and availability of the document. Whatever changes have been made to the document must be public. If no one is ready to post that document either during the informal discussions, or here in the plenary, they can always come out with the changes made to particular articles, or para in the preamble, when the discussion starts.

We should be ready to work towards finalizing this treaty. We are even open to working on Saturday and Sunday, Mr. Chairman.

If we don't finalize in this SCCR, we cannot go to the General Assembly in the first week of the month of October. If we lose that time, we will have to wait until the next General Assembly, because we cannot have a General Assembly in between.

So we will be simply wasting our time in the November SCCR and again next July SCCR, waiting for the next General Assembly.

So kindly guide us to start text-based article-by-article discussions, so that we won't go back empty-handed. The Indian delegation won't go back empty-handed, facing the 15 million blind people in India, which is almost 50 percent of the world blind population, that is 37 million.

Thank you.

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/a2k/india-opening-statement-sccr24-tvi

India has a long road ahead in becoming a disabled-friendly country

praskrishna — 2016-08-31T16:47:02Z

India is home to 2.7 crore people living with one or the other kind of disability. According to the 2011 Census, 2.21 percent of India’s population is disabled. Unlike the developed world, India’s disabled are made further socially vulnerable by lack of quality education, lack of women’s safety, and attitudinal barriers as they continue to grapple with the challenges of access, acceptance, and inclusion.

The blog post by Sourav Roy was published in Your Story on August 31, 2016. Nirmita Narasimhan was quoted.

Changing times

Until a few decades ago, it was almost unimaginable for the disabled to lead independent lives. The advent of technology and internet has, however, opened new doors. A print-impaired person can now listen to audio books and learn. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has recently announced Sugamaya Pustakalaya, an online library where books are made available in different accessible formats for people with visual impairment and other print disabilities.

With hearing aids, surgical intervention, and other disruptive technological solutions, deafness is now curable. Consequently, the disabled are independent and contributing greatly towards society. The wheels of such change, for a majority of people, have already been set in motion in the developed world.

In developing countries such as India, however, the road to accessibility is a long, winding one. As Javed Abidi, director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), has recently pointed out in an article,

“Just one in 250 hotel rooms in India are accessible for the disabled. Globally, internationally, the ratio is 1:50.”

Accessibility is a major issue for the disabled, not just in the physical world, but in the digital space as well. Despite existing technology and standards, the problem of non-adherence to standards of accessibility and universal design in electronic devices and websites is a perpetual one. According to Nirmita Narasimhan, Policy Director, Centre for Internet and Society, Bengaluru,

“Standards exist for websites (WCAG 2.0), electronic documents and publications (EPUB 3.0) and other forms of technology, multi-media, and content which will make it easy for the developer to create accessibility products. Unfortunately, these are not being adhered to. We are overflowing with technologies which can potentially be of immense use to persons with disabilities. The market, however, fails to realise that there is a huge business case in tapping the market of persons with disabilities.”

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/news/your-story-sourav-roy-august-31-2016-india-has-a-long-road-ahead-in-becoming-a-disabled-friendly-country

Inclusive Planet co-founder, Disability Law activist, and Cancer Survivor, Rahul Cherian passes away

praskrishna — 2013-02-11T09:23:16Z

Rahul Cherian, the co-founder of Inclusive Planet and an expert on Intellectual Property and disability law, passed away on February 7, 2013 in Goa due to sudden illness.

Published by the Bar & Bench News Network on February 8, 2013.

Along with being Managing Partner at IP firm, Indo Juris, Cherian worked with the Inclusive Planet Centre for Disability and Policy, an organisation which sought amongst other things, to be a medium between the government and the disability sector.

Cherian, a cancer survivor who underwent reconstructive surgery in 2005, was also a Fellow at the Centre for Internet and Society.

Cherian, a graduate of National Law School of India University, Bangalore was deeply involved in the drafting of the Treaty for the Improved Access for Blind, Visually Impaired and other Reading Disabled Persons, a treaty which was designed to grant visually impaired individuals “greater access to copyrighted materials.” The Treaty is currently being debated at WIPO.

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/news/bar-and-bench-feb-8-2013-inclusive-planet-co-founder-disability-law-activist-and-cancer-survivor-rahul-cherian-passes-away

Inclusive Financial Services - Global Trends in Accessibility Requirements

nirmita — 2015-05-03T06:55:49Z

Inclusive Financial Services is a G3ict White Paper researched in cooperation with the Centre for Internet and Society. The research paper comprises a Foreword and Introduction, four chapters — Barriers to Access for Persons with Disabilities and Diverse Abilities, International Framework, Integrating Accessibility into the System, and State of Practice - Impact of the Convention on Inclusive Finance and Accessibility Efforts around the Globe.

Foreword

Global demand for accessibility continues to grow, due in part to the strengthening voice worldwide of more than one billion people with disabilities, including the aging population, and important frameworks, such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. From a private sector standpoint, the Convention represents a unique opportunity to ensure equal access to information while achieving global harmonization of standards and economies of scale. Understanding that technology is the great equalizer for underserved populations and having a clear roadmap towards inclusive information and communications technologies (ICT), rather than simple compliance strategies, will benefit everyone in every industry.

Specifically, the financial services sector is faced with the need to transform operations while providing truly exceptional customer experiences. Disruptive trends -- such as the aging population, influx of mobile devices and global regulations – are driving demand for more human-centric technology, and creating an opportunity for innovation that are proving to be differentiators for the institutions embracing them. Consumer demand to be in control of interactions and information is forcing those in financial services to reconsider what’s important to stay competitive. By offering an online experience through any device personalized to individual needs, preferences and abilities, organizations can ensure they are reaching the broadest base of the population, especially the “unbanked” and “underbanked,” to enhance interactions and improve sales opportunities.

Customers with lifelong disabilities or age-related impairments represent an increasingly large population among the biggest markets in the world such as OECD countries and China. Also, in many countries aging persons are the holders of a majority of the assets and highly dependent on insurance, retirement and banking services. Ensuring they can use the services they need without encountering accessibility barriers is a powerful way to earn their loyalty in a highly competitive environment.

IBM has a long tradition and culture of accessibility and understands the importance of improving the user experience, managing accessibility compliance, and creating an inclusive workplace environment. Consistent with our own experience, this report highlights the organizational and process adjustments needed to ensure everyone has equal access to timely information they need for work and life.

By creating a holistic strategy for embedding accessible technology across the entire enterprise - from processes to product development to people – organizations can reinvigorate individual channels and harmonize them across the bank. G3ict has written this timely publication for the financial services sector that provides a clear picture of the global forces at work that are transforming how employee- and client-facing applications, products and services are delivered to reach the broadest set of customers. The report also serves as a useful benchmarking source for governments and advocates based on its review of existing solutions already implemented around the world. We applaud G3ict for taking this first step on the road of advocating for greater accessibility of financial services in cooperation with stakeholders from around the world.

Ian Hurst, General Manager, Global Financial Services Sector, IBM Corporation
Frances W. West, Chief Accessibility Officer, IBM Corporation

Introduction

Financial services play a necessary and important role in societies by enabling access to products, resources, and services, enabling savings and asset creation, and facilitating economic self-sufficiency. Access to financial services for all is a necessity in today’s world not simply at the community or household level, but at an individual level, to open doors to banking services, credit services, stocks and shares, insurance, and other markets. Access to and inclusion in financial services is crucial to poverty reduction and participation in economic prosperity and growth and development.

The increasing pervasiveness of technology in the delivery of financial services and the disruption of traditional channels of delivery through ‘FinTech’ (technology for financial service delivery) have generated new enthusiasm and newer ways for reaching out to persons who remain unbanked. Similarly, the increasing nature of services now available through technology has triggered growing demand among persons who remained marginalized from traditional paper-based banking services, as well as calls to ensure that they do not in turn create new barriers to access. Accompanying this growth spurt in technology there has also been an increasing recognition of the rights of persons with disabilities and the utmost importance of providing equal access to them to all services, including financial services.

Persons with disabilities and diverse abilities have been amongst those traditionally marginalized from the financial services sector through a mix of inaccessibility, presumptions of limited need and capacity to manage finances, and mindsets that did not view them as a profitable consumer base. This paradigm is now rapidly changing with growing evidence of their demand and need for access to services as well as the increasing income base of persons with disabilities around the world. Persons with disabilities and diverse abilities are demanding better and easier access to the entire range of financial services. Access to and inclusion in financial services is important to persons across the economic spectrum. And for persons with disabilities who live under the poverty line, it is essential that they are involved in financial inclusion initiatives and programs that will empower them and enable them to become financially independent.

A range of factors are serving as drivers to enhance the inclusion of persons with disabilities and diverse abilities through accessible financial services including demographics, attaining a competitive advantage and improving market share nationally and globally, Corporate Social Responsibility, regulations, legislation and compliance, enhancing business value, ensuring and increasing an inclusive workplace for employees with disabilities, maximizing on technology advances, and ensuring diversity and inclusion for all.

This report offers an introduction and overview to the need for, and mechanisms to achieve accessibility in financial services:

Chapter 1 offers an understanding of the barriers posed by inaccessible financial services to persons with different disabilities.

Chapter 2 highlights the different international mandates and frameworks that are accelerating the promotion of financial inclusion for persons with disabilities.

Chapter 3 offers in-depth descriptions of the accessibility needs based on the type of technology in use, along with examples of effective practices and solutions to promote inclusion. It also offers a look at how different countries are striving to achieve the accessibility mandate.

Chapter 4 focuses on the state of practice of financial inclusion for persons with disabilities across countries and the implementation of the Convention’s requirements for ICT accessibility and financial inclusion. This chapter describes findings from two major studies undertaken by G3ict that paint a picture of the state of financial accessibility today and offer a glimpse into the financial sector’s commitment to incorporate accessibility into their work and services in the future.

Finally, in the Conclusions section, the report offers recommendations for relevant stakeholders to incorporate the principles of inclusion to drive accessibility through product design and delivery, policy and legal structures, and distribution channels and pathways.

Download the report

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/inclusive-financial-services-global-trends-in-accessibility-requirements

Inclusive Financial Services

praskrishna — 2015-05-03T01:55:21Z

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/inclusive-financial-services.pdf

Inclusive Disaster and Emergency Management for Persons with Disabilities

nirmita — 2013-10-04T14:46:21Z

This report is a review of the needs, challenges, effective policies, and practices for inclusive disaster management practices. It was submitted to the National Disaster Management Authority of India (NDMA) on September 17, 2013 for their action.

Note: The report is co-authored by Deepti Samant Raja and Nirmita Narasimhan.

Persons with disabilities face unique challenges during every stage of emergency and disaster management due to inaccessible warnings, evacuation, response (including shelters, camps, and food distribution), and long-term recovery efforts. Additionally, disruption to physical, social, economic, and environmental networks and support systems affect people with disabilities in greater proportions.

Common experiences reveal that people with disabilities are more likely to be left behind or abandoned during evacuation in disasters and conflicts. They may be separated from their family members and caregivers, as well as their assistive devices (e.g. wheelchairs, prosthetics) or may be unable to operate them in a disaster (e.g. aids that run on electricity or batteries).

Shelters and relief camps are frequently inaccessible to persons with disabilities, and they may be unable to easily access food and water distribution centres. The paucity of statistical data on persons with disabilities and limited knowledge on how to respond to their needs is another factor that heightens their vulnerability in a disaster or emergency situation (Smith, Jolley & Schmidt, 2012). Resources and necessities may become scarce during a disaster situation, and there is a potential for discrimination on the basis of disability in such scarcity. Common perception is that inclusion and accessibility only matter to a small percentage of the population and thus are not cost effective. Leaving aside the fact that persons with disabilities are not a small and irrelevant percentage, accessible and disability inclusive approaches in fact benefit many others.

Elderly persons are one of the most affected groups in a disaster or emergency situation. Aging and disability are linked with each other, and many persons develop disabling conditions as they age including limited mobility, low vision, and hearing difficulties. They will significantly benefit from physical and communication accessibility in disaster preparedness, evacuation, relief, and recovery. Similarly, providing information in multiple formats beyond text such as graphical and oral formats can make this important information available and accessible to people with low or no literacy as well as children.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is the first international human rights treaty that specifically addresses the rights and freedoms of persons with disabilities (Lord, Samant Raja & Blanck, 2012). The CRPD was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2006 and opened for signatures on March 30, 2007. The CRPD had one of the shortest periods to come into force as the required twenty ratifications were achieved barely a month after it opened for signatures. The entire CRPD and its eight operating principles raise the need to make all disaster and emergency planning accessible and inclusive, failing which States Parties will not be able to meet their obligations under the CRPD. Additionally, the CRPD is specific about the need to make emergency and disaster management operations inclusive of persons with disabilities. Article 11 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) (UN Enable, 2006) on "Situations of Risk and Humanitarian Emergencies" states that: States Parties shall take, in accordance with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, all necessary measures to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and the occurrence of natural disasters.

The CRPD's direct mention of disasters and emergencies represented the first major global treaty to focus attention on the needs of persons with disabilities in disaster events. In addition, Article 9 on Accessibility requires States Parties to ensure that people can access, on an equal basis with others the physical environment, transportation services, information and communications technologies and systems and all public facilities and services which include emergency services and facilities. Article 9 specifically mentions the need to make "information, communications and other services, including.emergency services accessible." Declarations and initiatives before that such as the Hyogo Framework for Action, which is the widely accepted blueprint for Disaster Risk Reduction in countries, failed to mention and take into account the importance of addressing disability issues.

As of September 16, 2013, 134 countries have ratified and 156 have signed the CRPD (UN Enable, 2013). States parties to the CRPD have to work towards making disaster risk reduction and all stages of the disaster and emergency management process accessible and inclusive of persons with disabilities. Article 32 on International Cooperation focuses on the need to ensure that international cooperation initiatives, including development programs, are accessible and inclusive of people with disabilities. States are encouraged to support capacity building and the exchange of knowledge and best practices, strengthen research collaborations and access to scientific knowledge, and offer technical and economic assistance to help meet a state's obligations under the convention. This provision is very relevant to the aid and humanitarian relief operations conducted by development and aid agencies and international NGOs. It promoted increased technical cooperation on disability and reiterates the need to include disability in all development and aid programming.

Many of the articles of the Convention intersect with different aspects of the disaster management cycle such as education and employment which are relevant in recovery and reconstruction. A few relevant articles are given below.

Article 9 on Accessibility requires States Parties to ensure that people can access, on an equal basis with people without disabilities, physical environments, transportation services, information and communications content, technologies, and systems and all public facilities and services which certainly apply to emergency services and facilities. Article 9 specifically mentioned the need to make "information, communications and other services, including.emergency services" accessible.
Article 31 on Statistics and Data Collection encourages States Parties to collect statistical and research data that can help in formulating and implementing effective policies to give effect to the different articles of the Convention.
Article 26 on Habilitation and Rehabilitation focuses on organizing, strengthening and extending comprehensive habilitation and rehabilitation services and programmes which are important during the response and immediate recovery following serious injuries in disasters and emergencies, as well as for long-term recovery and rebuilding. Other major declarations that raise the need for inclusive disaster and emergency management include the Yogyakarta declaration on disaster risk reduction in Asia and the Pacific 2012, the Phuket Declaration on Disaster Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities in 2009, and the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action 2003-2012. The Hyogo Framework for Action, adopted in 2005 at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction, is considered to be a blueprint to guide nations in their disaster risk reduction efforts until 2015. The framework which was signed by 168 countries does not address disability specifically, resulting in continuing exclusion of persons with disabilities in most DRR plans (Scherrer, 2013).

However, efforts are underway to promote the inclusion of disability in the next iteration of the Hyogo Framework. The goal of this report is to serve as a primer on the needs of persons with disabilities in disasters and emergencies, and to provide a comprehensive compilation of effective policies, practices and strategies for inclusive disaster and emergency management. This report utilizes a literature review of policy, practice, and research documentation on the different dimensions of inclusive disaster and emergency management.

A diverse set of sources were compiled for this review including:

research articles, reports, and evaluations of responses in past disasters
country policies and initiatives for disaster management
best practice manuals and handbooks, and
reports from advisory groups and discussion forums

Click to read the full report here.

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/inclusive-disaster-and-emergency-management-for-persons-with-disabilities

In Memoriam of Rahul Cherian

praskrishna — 2013-02-25T01:51:22Z

The Centre for Internet & Society is organising a memorial function for Rahul Cherian who passed away recently while on a family visit to Goa. He had succumbed to an infection. The function will be held on February 28, 2013, from 5 p.m. To 7.00 p.m. at TERI, Bangalore. Dinner will be served right after the event. Lawrence Liang, Reuben Jacob and Gautam John will be speaking at the event.

Rahul Cherian

Rahul was a lawyer, disability policy activist and the founder of the Inclusive Planet Centre for Disability and Policy, and a fellow at CIS. He was a partner at IndoJuris Law Offices in Chennai, having acted as a managing partner of the firm between 2003 and 2008. He was also the co-founder of www.inclusiveplanet.com, the world's largest social network for persons with visual impairment. He was one of the experts who drafted the Treaty for the Visually Impaired currently being negotiated at the World Intellectual Property Organization. His areas of expertise include disability law, intellectual property law and technology law.

Rahul was on the legal expert panel constituted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to give input on the new disability law. He was instrumental in conceptualizing and executing a national Right to Read Campaign to bring about changes in copyright law to enable persons with disabilities access copyrighted work on an equal basis with persons without disabilities. He had helped the State of Kerala draft a plan document with a vision to ensure that by the year 2025 persons with disabilities are completely integrated into mainstream society.

Rahul Cherian's collaboration with CIS

Feedback / Submissions

Making Public Libraries Accessible to People with Disabilities (January 23, 2013): Thanks to Rahul's efforts, CIS was one of the 20 disability rights groups that wrote to the Ministry of Culture.
Comments and Feedback on the Draft Twelfth Five Year Plan with respect to Persons with Disabilities (December 28, 2013): CIS was one of the ten organizations representing people with disabilities that sent comments and feedback on the draft twelfth five year plan.

Analysis

An Analysis of the Comments by World Blind Union and the International Publishers Association (March 30, 2012): Rahul provides an analysis of the comments by the World Blind Union and the International Publishers Association after the 23rd session of the Standing Committee of Copyright and Related Rights.

Blog Posts

Linking Commercial Availability and Exceptions in the Treaty for Visually Impaired/Persons with Disabilities (January 23, 2013).
WIPO to Convene a Diplomatic Conference in Morocco to Finalise TVI (December 24, 2012).
The HathiTrust Judgment and its impact on TVI negotiations at WIPO (October 30, 2012).
WIPO General Assemblies Approve Road Map on Treaty for the Visually Impaired (October 11, 2012).
WIPO Treaty for the Visually Impaired — Moving from a Treaty on Paper to a Treaty that is Workable on the Ground (September 28, 2012).
Breaking News on Electronic Accessibility (September 28, 2012).
Ring Side View: Update on WIPO Negotiations on the Treaty for the Visually Impaired (August 13, 2012).
Copyright Amendments – Empowering the Print Disabled (May29, 2012).
Copyright v. Exercise of Fundamental rights (August 6, 2009).

News & Media Coverage

Rahul was quoted in the following:

Disability groups in India welcome progress on treaty for blind persons (The Times of India, December 20, 2012).
US and EU blocking treaty to give blind people access to books (The Guardian, July 30, 2012).
An online community platform for people with different needs (Press Trust of India, December 9, 2010).
Disability rights groups oppose changes to Copyright Act (The Hindu, April 23, 2010).

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/events/in-memoriam-of-rahul-cherian

IDAP Interview Series: Interview with Nirmita Narasimhan

nirmita — 2017-11-26T09:56:06Z

IDIA Disability Access Programme did an interview with Nirmita Narasimhan. This interview was conducted by Madhavi Singh and Anusha Reddy. The interview was transcribed by Veda Singh, IDIA intern and student at Jindal Global Law School.

Read the original published by IDIA Law here

Our interview in this series features Nirmita Narasimhan, a Policy Director with the Centre for Internet and Society. Nirmita did her LL.B. from Campus Law Centre, Delhi University in 2002. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in German and a Ph.D. in Music. As a part of CIS she has done extensive work on web accessibility and was involved in drafting the Indian National Policy on Universal Electronic Accessibility. She has worked closely with different departments of the Government of India to bring accessibility into their policies and programmes.

In recognition of her path-breaking work in the field of digital accessibility, she has received numerous awards such as the National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (2010), the NIVH (National Institute for the Visually Handicapped) Excellence Award (2011) and the NCPEDP-Emphasis Universal Design award in 2016. She played a key role in amending the Indian Copyright Act to incorporate exceptions for people with print disabilities and launched the widely acclaimed nationwide Right to Read campaigns.

Nirmita’s experience is not just limited to policy work – she is a widely published author and has assisted national and international bodies in the creation of several reports on promoting accessibility rights of people with disabilities.

This interview was conducted by Madhavi Singh and Anusha Reddy. The interview was transcribed by Veda Singh, IDIA intern and student at Jindal Global Law School. The interview has been lightly edited for clarity.

Could you please describe to us the exact nature of your disability?

I have something called Stargardt disease. For me it came when I was 9 or so. When I started, I could read with the help of a magnifying glass and I would enlarge things to read and now I completely rely on screen reading software.

Could you please describe to us the reasonable accommodation provided by your school and college, if any?

In school nothing! I used to read and write using a magnifying glass –reading was a bit of a struggle. My handwriting was really bad and people didn’t understand it. I never asked for anything. Only for my Board exams I had asked for a writer because that’s something you really can’t risk.

Most schools use boards to teach. How did you manage?

No, it just depended on the individual teacher and maybe I was also very inhibited at that time in my life. I wouldn’t go up to the teacher and simply say “please read it out.” Consequently, I always regretted that I was not good at math, because it was always on the board. I managed back then with the help of my parents and sister.

You have a large number of educational qualifications to your name. You initially studied German and Carnatic music and only pursued law later. What factors influenced you in deciding to study law?

It may not be anything glamourous as really being passionate about it. But going back to German – I really liked the language, and more so due to the teaching methods because this was the first time I was out of a classroom setting into a setting where there were 10-12 students and the teachers were really good and used unconventional methods. They were accommodative about exams. The teacher could write exams for me or tell me what to do – it was not like a fixed system. Whenever a system came into play, inaccessibility also came into play. Whenever it was an individual, and usually somebody who was not heartless, it was pretty okay.

One time in an exam, they gave a printout, and I couldn’t read it. At that time, I wrote the one answer I could, left the rest of the question, gave the paper and walked out. When the results were declared, I got an A or A+! I was shocked. I went to the teacher and said “How can you do this to me?” He said “I know that had you been able to read it, you would’ve written because I see you every day in class. That was probably wrong of us and we should have ensured that you could’ve read the paper.” I think that was a unique experience. It happens to very few people and it certainly never happens very often in one’s lifetime, unless you’re extraordinarily lucky. But these kinds of experiences during my graduation really helped get a better sense of the world.

After that I started my M.A. When you’re trying to do translation you keep referring to a dictionary. Until my M.A., I used to keep enlarging a basic dictionary into such thick volumes that I couldn’t even carry them. I realised that this couldn’t go on all my life and beyond a point I could not expect my father or mother to read out, because they did not know German and would not always be with me. So, I thought that this is not going to work out and at that time I gave the law entrance exam.

As for music, I did my diploma while I was doing my B.A. I didn’t consciously take up music immediately after my B.A. because people thought that was the obvious career for me since I had a visual disability and that really irritated me. After having finished my law, somewhere along the way I thought that so what if music is the expected career for someone who is visually impaired, it’s just something I wanted to do.

My main motive was actually not to fall into things which people expect are easy. When I was joining law many people said “You shouldn’t join law, you won’t be able to refer to anything.” I got so annoyed and would say – “Listen it’s my life, if I’m going to live for 85 years and if I waste one year in between, I have no problems. So why does it bother you? I don’t mind failure, but at least let me try. If I can’t, I’ll leave it and go back to sociology or some other subjects.” So, that’s why I got into law, and I have no regrets. It was tough for multiple reasons.

Out of all your diverse educational courses (law, Carnatic music and German) with their varied teaching methodology and course work which field do you think was the most exclusionary of people with disabilities and which one was the most accommodative?

I think it depends on the institution. It’s not fair to compare Delhi University with JNU. JNU was more open and the teachers were creative in the ways they taught, recognising individual abilities. It was completely different from DU which had approximately 80 people in a class and typically the lecturer came, gave a lecture and left. I had a good experience in JNU, because it was not bound by systems and is generally a good place to study.

The Faculty for Music and Fine Arts at DU was also very accommodative, especially so because my Guru ensured that I got what I needed. However I found studying law to be really difficult – at that time I didn’t have any books. If I would go to the library, each and every book you pick up would be underlined with a pen. If you try to scan it – at that time the technology was very slow but even if I was ready to do that, if something is underlined the scan is obsolete. How much can one human being read out to you – a constitutional law book is of 300-1000 pages? You have to refer to so many books!

So, I couldn’t read any book, I didn’t know where to start. Then I was actually forced to rely on these dukkhis. I think the main reason they were useful is that they weren’t underlined, I could purchase them, tear them and scan them. By that time I had also been introduced to computers, and had bought an OCR having paid $1000 for it at that time. Even after that since the paper quality was not good I couldn’t read much.

I know this is probably an awful thing to say, and though I would’ve loved to have a more nuanced understanding of the law but it required me to read a lot which I was unable to do – not because I didn’t want to but because I just couldn’t.

You were an exceptional student – topper of your batch and a gold medalist. To what extent was your hunger for success fueled by your desire to demonstrate your capabilities and to not let your vision impairment become your defining characteristic?

Is my success driven by my desire to show the world? No. Even when I did law– forget showing other people, I just needed to do something “normal” or something that other people were doing – something that is a profession, that’s it. Everything else I did was not to prove anything. After a point, I didn’t really think much about having a disability it’s just a part of who you are. I just wanted to study well.

You have worked in the field of policy research, as a lawyer in a corporate law firm as well as in advocacy, how do you think these professions are different in terms of the obstacles they pose to lawyers with disabilities? Have there been any reasonable accommodation?

Policy research is my current work. The fact that I am currently using technology and my office is pro-accessibility shows that reasonable accommodation is provided here. I tried both courts and corporate law, they were never areas I wanted to be in permanently but I thought having studied law I should have some kind of exposure. At that point of time there were a number of documents, annexures, etc. and to file them you could always hire somebody, but it wasn’t something you could have done for yourself– this was around 2002. And in the corporate field, what I found difficult was working with track changes and deadlines. I was not very excited by the work to stick it out and really prove a point. I know some people that did. I think you need to be motivated enough to tackle the issue, I was not motivated enough by the people to conquer these issues and it didn’t excite me.

You started your career in law with Mr. Rungta. Could you kindly let us know your reasons for choosing to work for a blind lawyer?

I wanted to know how he worked. If you mean whether it was difficult getting into other law firms, yes it was. I did try to ask people in firms but they were completely not open to having me. One or two said that we could have a trial – without pay however, to which I asked if they were paying other juniors, and if so then I didn’t want to join. I worked with Mr. Rungta for a few months and then moved on.

This is a problem most students face wherein employers are apprehensive of hiring people with disabilities, so what advice would you give especially to the corporate field?

I think it is a really negative attitude – people see what you cannot do and not what you can do. And at some point everyone has certain skills, and you as an employer need to be discerning– it shows how smart you are whether you can identify how to tap into that person’s skill or not.

It’s not the time for people to be telling them what they cannot do. The students already know that tasks are difficult for them – they don’t need to hear it from their employers too. So, I think there is a huge issue there. It’s for them to figure out and work with the person to see how to make it happen. It can happen! It might not be exactly the same thing that you envisaged but something can be worked out.

I never came across an employer who was willing to do this. Believe me, I’ve gone from door to door after I finished my law degree and it was a very demotivating time. I feel that it is sad especially now with the kind of technology we have. Maybe at that time I could agree and understand their concerns that I wouldn’t be able to look up case law, but things are different now. Another problem is that the student does not know the range of the work there is, hence it becomes difficult to articulate what he/she wants/can do. I think it is important, even for institutions to ensure that they help place their students, in some of these big law firms, starting from internships.

If you had to tell employers why they should hire people with disability, what would it be?

Do not judge a person merely by virtue of whether he/ she has a disability. Be fair and give them a chance as well. There are many people who became great, just because they got a break. There is great value in making your work place more inclusive and diverse. One can evolve work arounds for most issues and technology has made many things possible.

As a Policy Director with the Centre for Internet and Society, you have done extensive work on web accessibility for persons with disabilities. Given that technology has been an enabler for persons with disabilities, do you believe that the government and society (technologists/businesses/start-ups) have a responsibility to design keeping accessibility in mind from the very beginning?

Definitely, there are no two ways about it. They should, but they aren’t doing it. The first policy on accessibility was in 2009 by the NIC and it continued to remain inaccessible. The second one in 2013 was the national electronic accessibility policy. However, even today many websites are not accessible. After that policy, so many government initiatives, some 700 mobile applications, etc. came up, of which most are inaccessible.

Now everything is on mobile apps, whether private or government, so we did a lot of studies on that and wrote about it. We put together a set of guidelines and submitted them to the government to look at– otherwise there’s really no point in Digital India or Inclusive India. Of course the situation is now vastly changed, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act was passed in December 2016 and now makes compliance with accessibility standards in different domains mandatory, hopefully this will now be a game changer. It is binding not only on the government, but on the private sector as well.

It is not just a question of ‘responsibility’ –the government’s responsibility to its citizens is also not just regarding disability but about inclusiveness and the kind of society you want to be. It is about being nice and fair not just because you are responsible. It’s how you want your society to evolve.

Very often I think the most accessible products benefit everyone in society. It’s not just a person with disability that is getting benefit out of it. Do you agree?

So a lot of accessibility features came up as just a market feature, for example – in the U.S., so many people read audiobooks, they just listen while they’re driving to their place of work. Another example – those squeaky shoes children wear could help a mother who is blind know where her child is moving. You can say subtitles are for deaf persons, but for a Telugu movie, people who cannot understand Telugu also can go watch it now. I think every accessibility feature has a use. So, for society and the government accessibility should be a universal goal.

For private players a lot of times when you speak to them about accessibility they’re clueless or they think it is an expensive process which requires special knowledge. Do you have anything to say to such private entities like Flipkart, or Ola?

I think they’re not recognising the situation. If there are 1.3 billion people that are disabled in the world, there are 150 million people in India that are disabled – they need to realise that it is a huge market out there. Blind people are using Uber and not Ola. If they made their application accessible their market would grow. For Ola, for example it’ll ask me to rate my previous drive, and it only gives the option of 3 star with a screen reader – I can’t increase or decrease it. Now if I keep giving 3 stars only, I won’t get a driver the next time (laughs)! Uber and Amazon, both are entirely accessible and they’re international brands. You should ensure that your service is accessible in the starting itself when it is not expensive. Later it becomes more expensive and difficult to do. Private entities really need to look more into their diversity and it shouldn’t just be something they do for CSR, it is good business. It’s a good contribution to society.

Recently, in a move to digitise the courts in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the integrated case management system of the Supreme Court. Given that this move could be a game changer for lawyers and litigants with disabilities, do you believe that accessibility of such platforms will be given foremost importance by the government? If not, what steps can we take to ensure that it is given importance?

The RPWD Act 2016 requires all legal services, documents etc. uploaded to be accessible. If this is not done, it would be a tragedy. Just like the case of the Digital Library of India which has over 5 lakh books, most of which are image files and inaccessible. The government should ensure that this mistake is never again replicated. The website and the documents should be accessible as per notified standards. When you’re uploading documents, sometimes you might need scanned versions in which case you must have an unofficial version or some alternative that is accessible. Even if it is for tracking new cases, or filing things through apps, it should all be accessible as per guidelines – that’s the bottom line. So, involve the experts right from the beginning.

You have worked on digitization of books and general accessibility of educational resources for persons with disabilities. What in your opinion is the most resource efficient solution to the book famine currently plaguing students with print disabilities?

Every time a publisher publishes a book, they should give an accessible PDF to the public library or they should give it to the Sugamya Pustakalaya, which is an accessible online library. They’re anyway creating a PDF, they can make it accessible. As we get more organisations to connect to the library and network, you can reach out to all the students who go to these organisations. Publishers should also consider creating and commercially selling accessible format books such as e-text and audio books.

Could you tell us about your experience so far, in interacting and working with different government departments as part of various projects? As a policy researcher and advocate with a focus on the rights of persons with disabilities, what are the biggest obstacles you face in effectively lobbying for a change?

I think the obstacles are similar to the issues that you face typically while working with the Government on any issue, not just accessibility. It’s about meeting the right person. If you’re interacting only with one person, then that person gets transferred or the other people don’t know about it. I think that they need to see accessibility as something which cuts across every issue, not just something for the disabled, and that’s not happening. One also comes across people who do not consider accessibility a priority issue.

A lot of students with disabilities in India, even after the completion of their education, are not in a position to compete with their able-bodied counterparts. They don’t possess soft skills like knowing how to spell correctly, socializing and corresponding with others and speaking correct English. How can this be addressed at a micro as well as macro level?

I think there is a need for more organisations who are trying to prepare candidates after their education to deal with a corporate situation. Otherwise you’re just suddenly taken and put in a place you don’t fully understand. People might be conscious about their English or other things. If not on the individual level, if corporates are hiring they may also consider seeking help from and supporting such organisations.

You should also have policies for accommodation of persons with disabilities. It is useful to have mentors, networks or groups where they can share experiences and exchange ideas on how they tackle different situations.

What can law colleges do to make the educational experience better for law students with disabilities?

I think starting with the college level or institutions –I feel what we learn there shapes our confidence and grasp of the subject – where it is important to ensure that at least the reading list is available as accessible digital copy. I wouldn’t even accept if they say “2 out of the 10 on the reading list are available and that’s enough for you”, if you’re giving the 10 options to other students to pick from, even these students should get such an opportunity. They must also ensure that the admission process/ entrance exam is accessible.

Just getting admission is not enough if institutions can’t provide the required resources. Once that first step is done, they should consciously have a committee of students and teachers who can help in the process of studying, getting internships, or talking on their behalf to firms or other organisations. They may also consider accessible exam practices suited to the needs of different students. There are several things that can be done, institutions should evolve processes and practices based on discussions with their students with disabilities.

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/news/idap-interview-series-interview-x-with-nirmita-narasimhan

ICT, transaction cost and development: The flip side

radha — 2013-02-05T08:56:35Z

A presentation by Prof. Pradoshnath at CIS, Bangalore on Nov 25th, 2009 from 3.30pm to 5pm

Abstract

The main observation is that the connectivity matters if and only if it connects the right way. The danger of being at the flip side looms large, if connected wrong way.

The conclusion is based on a rigorous theoretical understanding of the role of network technology in general and ICT in particular for augmenting the process of social and economic transformation. The theoretical framework also allows us to discover the danger of flip side of the network technology, and tells us that it is not always hunky-dory between ICT (or any network technology for that matter) and social and economic backwardness. Colonial plundering was possible through the adoption of network technologies in colonies.

ICT is believed to contribute to economic development by reducing the transaction and information cost associated with any economic activities. Transaction cost arises when transactions are made away from the market. There are two streams of arguments here; one, that suggests minimisation of transaction cost as means towards economic efficiency, and the other that considers the act of transactions away from the market is actually the process of value creation of a capitalist enterprise. We argue that both the arguments can be synchronised by partitioning the transaction costs in two broad components of production activities, namely, production (the value creation component, where in lies profit) and procurement. It is in the latter component where transaction cost can be minimised for efficiency, whereas in case of former transaction cost is created by a value creating capitalist enterprise. In reality both the processes are concurrent, and one complements the other.

It is this comprehensive perspective that enables us a fresh look at the ongoing programmes, and, therefore a general observation that ICTisation in less developed economies in effect make market operations friendlier for the capitalist ventures or inroads in the marginal economies, and create new varieties of distortions in the system. We call this distortion – the flip side of ICTisation, because in the absence of factors that enable make use of connectivity for economic and social gains, the marginalised population of a marginal economy runs the risk of falling in to a new dynamics of exploitation.

Profile of Prof. Pradosh Nath

An economist working on issues related to applications of science and technology for social and economic development. He is a scientist at National Institute of Science Technology and Development Studies (NISTADS), New Delhi. At present affiliated to the Centre for Culture Media and Governance, Jamia Millia University, New Delhi as Senior Research Fellow, ICSSR, New Delhi. His present research interest is in the area of application of ICT for social and economic development of the marginal economies. He has published widely in both national and international journals. He has co-authored two books and edited another. He has worked as consultant for IDRC, Canada, WAITRO, Copenhagen, Denmark, and ITU, Geneva. He has been the coordinator of the WAITRO sponsored international programme on ‘Knowledge management for R&D organisation’ conducted in different countries in Asia and Africa.

Videos

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/events/ict-transaction-cost-and-development-the-flip-side