Though the subject of "Disability" figures in the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, the Government of India has always been proactive in the disability sector.
It is not only running eight (developing the ninth) National Institutes (NIs) dealing with various types on disabilities and twenty Composite Regional Centers (CRCs), which provide rehabilitation services to Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and run courses for rehabilitation professional but also funds a large number of NGOs for similar services and also a National Handicapped Finance & Development Corporation (NHFDC) which provides loans at concession rates of interest to PwDs for self-employment.
The organizations under DEPwD are:
Besides, the Union Government is a party to
Proclamation on the Full Participation and Equality of People with Disabilities in the Asian and the Pacific Region: Adopted at Beijing, December, 1992
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD): Effective, May, 2008
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan): DEPwD
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) under Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment was set up in May 2012 with the aims to facilitate empowerment and inclusion of the persons with disabilities and acts as a nodal agency to look after all development agenda of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan). Empowerment of persons with disabilities is an inter-disciplinary process, covering various aspects namely, prevention, early detection, intervention, education, health, vocational training, rehabilitation and social integration. The vision, mission and strategies of the Department are as follows:
Vision: To build an inclusive society in which equal opportunities are provided for the growth and development of Persons with Disabilities so that they can lead productive, safe and dignified lives.
Mission: To empower Persons with Disabilities, through its various Acts / Institutions / Organizations and Schemes for rehabilitation and to create an enabling environment that provides such persons with equal opportunities, protection of their rights and enables them to participate as independent and productive members of society.
It was stated in the 11th Five Year Plan that
"The 'Disability Division' of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment will be strengthened by converting it into a separate Department, so that it can liaise effectively with all the other concerned Ministries/Departments and fulfill its responsibilities towards the disabled".
The decision to create a separate Department of Disability Affairs within the M/o SJ&E was announced on March 12, 2012 and notified on May 12, 2012.
Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (Samajik Nyaya and Adhikarita Vibhag)
Department of Disability Affairs (Nishaktata Karya Vibhag)
Since renamed as Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) (DEPwD)
Brief History of DEPwD
During the year 1985-86, the erstwhile Ministry of Welfare was bifurcated into the Department of Women and Child Development and the Department of Welfare. Simultaneously, the Scheduled Castes Development Division, Tribal Development Division and the Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Division were moved from the Ministry of Home Affairs and also the Wakf Division from the Ministry of Law to form the then Ministry of Welfare.
Subsequently, the name of the Ministry was changed to the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (M/o SJ&E) in May, 1998. Further, in October, 1999, the Tribal Development Division had moved out to form a separate Ministry of Tribal Affairs. In January, 2007, the Minorities Division along with Wakf Unit have been moved out of the Ministry and formed as a separate Ministry, and the Women and Child Development Department has become Ministry of Women & Child Development.
Though the subject of "Disability" figures in the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, the Government of India has always been proactive in the disability sector. It is not only running eight National Institutes (NIs) dealing with various types on disabilities and twenty Composite Regional Centers (CRCs), which provide rehabilitation services to Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and run courses for rehabilitation professional but also funds a large number of NGOs for similar services and also a National Handicapped Finance & Development Corporation (NHFDC) which provides loans at concession rates of interest to PwDs for self-employment. Besides, the Union Government is a party to:
Proclamation on the Full Participation and Equality of People with Disabilities in the Asian and the Pacific Region - adopted at Beijing in December, 1992, and
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which came into effect in May, 2008.
The subject received attention in various States Governments in varying degrees. At the Central level also disability being one of the several responsibilities of the M/o SJ&E, and being looked after by just one bureau, has resulted in inadequate attention, as most of its time and energy is spent only on implementing Ministry's own schemes, meeting their expenditure and physical targets, and organize annual time-bound activities like the National Awards for empowerment of PwDs. In the above background, it was stated in the 11th Five Year Plan that "The 'Disability Division' of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment will be strengthened by converting it into a separate Department, so that it can liaise effectively with all the other concerned Ministries/Departments and fulfill its responsibilities towards the disabled". Looking to the specialise nature of the subject on "Disability", the wide ranging work to be done in the light of the UNCRPD, and the inadequacy of existing implementation structure, the time came to upgrade the existing Disability Bureau in the M/o SJ&E. The decision to create a separate Department of Disability Affairs within the M/o SJ&E was taken up by the Government, in principle on 3rd January, 2012. This was also announced by the President before both Houses of Parliament on 12th March, 2012.
Two departments were created under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment vide notification dated 12.5.2012, namely:
Department of Social Justice a and Empowerment (Samajik Nyaya and Adhikarita Vibhag)
Department of Disability Affairs (Nishaktata Karya Vibhag)
Since renamed as Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) (DEPwD)
Initially, DEPwD functioned in the premises of Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi for some time. Owing to its expansion of human resource and activities, the Department has its new office in Antodaya Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodi Road, New Delhi.
National Institutes
Over a period of time, National Institutes (NIs) in the field of disability have been set up under this Department. NIs are in the nature of autonomous bodies established under Society Registration Act focusing on specific types of disabilities. These Institutes are primarily engaged in Human Resources Development in the field of disability by conducting various courses, providing rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities (PwDs) and promoting Research and Development efforts in the field.
There are nine NIs as given hereunder:
Main activities of these Institutes are as under:
National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD), Dehradun
Residential school for the Visually Impaired upto the 12 th standard.
Central Braille press which is the largest press of Braille literature for school and college education
Rehabilitative services for persons with visual disabilities
Early intervention and assessment services
Post Graduate, Under Graduate and Diploma courses in Special Education and Rehabilitation Psychology
Undertakes Research and developmental activities
Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (AYJNISHD), Mumbai
Ph. D, Post Graduate, Under Graduate and Diploma courses in Audiology, Speech Language Pathology, Special Education, etc.
Nodal agency for Cochlear Implant Surgery and post operative rehabilitation. At present 186 hospitals empaneled for the said surgery.
Tertiary level care, evaluation and diagnosis of speech- language and audiology impairment.
Diagnostic, therapeutic, educational and vocational services to persons with speech and/or hearing disabilities.
Early intervention and assessment services.
National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID), Secunderabad
Rehabilitative services for persons with Intellectual disabilities with evidential and visible positive outcomes of cognitive recovery.
M. Phil, Post Graduate, Under Graduate and Diploma level Courses in Special Education and Rehabilitation Psychology.
Special Education, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Therapy and Vocational/skill training.
Model Special Education Center located at Secunderabad/Noida/New Delhi up to Pre Vocational Level (i.e. upto 18 years).
National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD), Chennai
M. Phil, Post Graduate, Under Graduate and Diploma courses in Clinical Psychology, Special Education, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, P&O, Speech Language Pathology, etc.
Renders rehabilitative services to persons with Multiple disabilities.
Early Intervention and assessment Services.
Psychological Assessments & Interventions.
Inclusive preparatory School and Vocational training.
Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities (PDUNIPPD), Delhi
Comprehensive rehabilitative services to persons with Locomotor disabilities.
Prosthetics & Orthotics, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Vocational and Psychological counseling services.
Specialty Clinical services.
Early Intervention and assessment services.
Post Graduate and Under Graduate courses in Prosthetics & Orthotics, Physiotherapy, and Occupational Therapy.
Swami Vivekananda National Institute of the Rehabilitation Training and Research (SVNIRTAR), Cuttack
Comprehensive rehabilitative services to Persons with Locomotor Disabilities.
Prosthetics & Orthotics, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and Vocational counseling services.
Providing Early Intervention and assessment services.
Post Graduate and Under Graduate courses in Prosthetics & Orthotics, Physiotherapy, and Occupational Therapy. Also conducts DNB (PMR).
100 bedded hospital and Cerebral Palsy Clinic.
2 well equipped operation theatres for corrective & reconstructive surgeries.
Radiological and Pathological investigation Units.
National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities (NILD), Kolkata
Comprehensive rehabilitation services to the Persons with Locomotor Disabilities.
Prosthetics & Orthotics, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and Vocational counseling services.
Early Intervention and assessment services.
Post Graduate and Under Graduate courses in Prosthetics & Orthotics, Physiotherapy, and Occupational Therapy. Also conducts DNB (PMR).
50 bedded hospital and engaged in corrective surgery.
Physical medicine & Rehabilitation.
OPD and Radiology Services.
Indian Sign Language Research & Training Centre (ISLRTC), New Delhi
Develops trained expertise for using, teaching and conducting research in Indian Sign Language.
Diploma course in Indian Sign Language Interpretation (DISLI) and Diploma in Teaching Indian Sign Language (DTISL).
A well researched dictionary of Indian sign language (10000 words) developed.
Signed an MoU with NCERT to convert course books and materials for classes-I to XII into sign language.
Promotion of accessible Indian Sign Language in audio visual & social media.
National Institute of Mental Health and Rehabilitation (NIMHR), Sehore
Cabinet approved the proposal of Establishment of National Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation (NIMHR) at Sehore, Madhya Pradesh in October, 2018 under the aegis of this Department. Total approved cost (both Recurring and Non Recurring) for initial three years is Rs.179.54 crore out of which Rs.105.68 crore is for construction of building of NIMHR. NIMHR has been registered as a Society under the Madhya Pradesh Societies Registration Act, 1973 on May 28, 2019. Construction of the building of the Institute is under progress through CPWD. Meanwhile, the Institute has started functioning from a rented accommodation from Sep 30, 2019.
Source: National Institutes, DEPwD
Composite Regional Centre
Composite Regional Centre for Skill Development, Rehabilitation & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (CRCs)
Department has approved setting up of 21 Composite Regional Centres (CRCs) as extended arms of National Institutes. Basic objective of CRCs are to provide rehabilitation services to all categories of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), train rehabilitation professionals, workers and functionaries, undertake programs of education and skill development for PwDs and create awareness among parents and the community regarding needs and rights of PwDs. The details of 21 CRCs are as under:
DEPwD Accessible India Campaign
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) launched Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) as a nation-wide Campaign for achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) on December 3,2015. It has three important verticals, namely:
Build Environment
Transportation Sector
ICT Ecosystem
Part A: Built Environment Accessibility
An accessible physical environment benefits everyone, not just persons with disabilities. Measures should be undertaken to eliminate obstacles and barriers to indoor and outdoor facilities including schools, medical facilities, and workplaces. Further these would include all public spaces such as roads, footpaths, parks and gardens etc.
Objective 1: Enhancing the proportion of accessible government buildings
Target 1.1: Conducting accessibility audit of at least 25-50 most important government buildings and converting them into fully accessible buildings in the selected 50 cities by June 2022.
Target 1.2: Converting 50% of all the government buildings of National Capital and all the State capitals into fully accessible buildings by June 2022.
Target 1.3: Conducting audit of 50% of government buildings and converting them into fully accessible buildings in 10 most important cities / towns of all the States by June 2022.
Part B: Transportation System Accessibility
Transportation is a vital component for independent living, and like others in society, PwDs rely on transportation facilities to move from one place to another. The term transportation covers a number of areas including air travel, buses, taxis, and trains.
Objective 2: Enhancing proportion of accessible airports
Target 2.1: Conducting accessibility audit of all the international airports and converting them into fully accessible international airports by June 2022.
Target 2.2: Conducting accessibility audit of all the domestic airports and converting them into fully accessible airports by June 2022.
Objective 3: Enhancing the proportion of accessible railway stations
Target 3.1: Ensuring that A1, A & B categories of railway stations in the country are converted into fully accessible railway stations by June 2022.
Target 3.2: Ensuring that 50% of railway stations in the country are converted into fully accessible railway stations by June 2022.
Objective 4: Enhancing the proportion of accessible Public Transport
Target 4.1: Ensuring that 25% of Government owned public transport carriers in the country are converted into fully accessible carriers by June 2022.
Part C: Information and Communication Eco-System Accessibility
Access to information creates opportunities for everyone in society. People use information in many forms to make decisions about their daily lives. This can range from actions such as being able to read price tags, to physically enter a hall, to participate in an event, to read a pamphlet with healthcare information, to understand a train timetable, or to view webpages. No longer should societal barriers of infrastructure, and inaccessible formats stand in the way of obtaining and utilizing information in daily life. The targets set under the relate to websites, the audio-visual media and sign language interpreter.
Objective 5: Enhancing proportion of accessible and usable public documents and websites that meet internationally recognized accessibility standards
Target 5.1: Conducting accessibility audit of 50% of all government (both Central and State Governments) websites and converting them into fully accessible websites by June 2022.
Target 5.2: Ensuring that at least 50% of all public documents issued by the Central Government and the State Governments meet accessibility standards by June 2022.
Objective 6: Enhancing the pool of sign language interpreters
Target 6.1: Training and developing 200 additional sign language interpreters.
Objective 7: Enhancing the proportion of daily captioning and sign-language interpretation of public television news programmes
Target 7.1: Developing and adoption of national standards on captioning and sign-language interpretation in consultation with National media authorities by June 2022.
Target 7.2: Ensuring that 25% of all public television programmes aired by government channels meet these standards by June 2022. Accessibility is about giving equal access to everyone. Without being able to access the facilities and services found in the communities, persons with disabilities will never be fully included. Accessible India Campaign will seek cooperation of all Central Government Departments/Ministries and State Governments to progress towards making india universally accessible.
Sources:
Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/ Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP), MoSJE
Scheme of Assistance to Disabled persons for Purchase (ADIP) 2014
Add O.M. dated 31.05.2021- Continuation of ADIP-SSA, 31-May-2021
ADIP Scheme, 23-Oct-2017
Guidelines for issuing of disability certificate to CWSN-ADIP SSA, 23-Jan-2015
ADIP Scheme
The main objective of the Assistance to Disabled persons for purchasing / fitting of aids / appliances (ADIP) 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 effects of disabilities and enhance their economic potential. The aids and appliances supplied under the Scheme shall conform to BIS specifications to the extent possible.
The scheme is implemented through implementing agencies such as the NGOs, National Institutes under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) (a PSU).
Objectives
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 effects of disabilities and enhance their economic potential.
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 fulfillment of laid down terms and conditions:
Societies, registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and their branches, if any, separately.
Registered charitable trusts
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.
National/Apex Institutes including ALIMCO functioning under administrative control of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment/Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
State Handicapped Development Corporations.
Local Bodies- Zilla Parishad, Municipalities, District Autonomous Development Councils and Panchayats.
Hospitals registered as separate entity, as recommended by state/central government
Nehru Yuvak Kendras.
Grant-in-aid under the Scheme will not be given for commercial supply of aids/appliances
The agencies should preferably 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 agency should also preferably 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.
Eligibility of the Beneficiaries
A person with disabilities fulfilling following conditions would be eligible for assistance under ADIP Scheme through authorized agencies:
He/she should 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 aid/appliance. Holds a 40% Disablement Certificate.
Person who is employed/self-employed or getting pension and whose monthly income from all sources does not exceed Rs. 20,000/- per month.
In case of dependents, the income of parents/guardians should not exceed Rs. 20,000/- per month.
Persons who have not received assistance from the Government, local bodies and Non-Official Organizations during the last 3 years for the same purpose. However, for children below 12 years of age this limit would be 1 year.
Quantum of Assistance
Aids/appliances which do not cost more than Rs. 10,000/ - are covered under the Scheme for single disability.
If the total income is up to Rs. 15,000/- per month, assistance will be provided for full cost of aid/appliance
If the total income is between Rs. 15,001/- and Rs. 20,000/- per month, assistance will be provided for 50% of the cost of aid/appliance
For more details click here.
Online application
To register online for the scheme, click here.
To track the status of your application, click here.
Documents required
Photo
Aadhaar /Proof of identity - Passport, Voter ID, Driving license
Proof of address
Proof of BPL status - certificate from the District Authority for eligibility / BPL ration card
Certificate from the Medical Officer required for loss of vision, hearing impairment, loss of teeth and locomotor disability requiring use of wheelchair.
National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
Every year on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3rd December, DEPwD confers National Awards on individuals, institutions, states, districts etc. for outstanding work done by them in the field of empowerment of PwDs. According to the National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2013, awards are given under following 14 (fourteen) categories:-
Best Employees/Self Employed with disabilities
(a) Best Employers & (b) Best Placement Officer or Agency
(a) Best Individual and (b) Best Institution working for the Cause of Persons with Disabilities
Role Model
Best Applied Research or Innovation or Product Development aimed at improving the life of persons with Disabilities
Outstanding Work in the Creation of Barrier-free Environment for the Persons with Disabilities
Best District in Providing Rehabilitation Services
Best State Channelizing Agency of National Handicapped Federation Development Corporation
Outstanding Creative Adult Persons with Disabilities
Best Creative Child with Disabilities
Best Braille Press
Best “Accessible” Website
Best State in promoting empowerment of persons with disabilities
Best sports person with disability
Source: National Award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, DEPwD
Divyang Sarathi Mobile App
Divyang Sarathi —The accessible and comprehensive mobile application for easy dissemination of information to persons with disabilities.
Launched by: Thaawarchand Gehlot (Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment)
Beta Launch Date: 27-Sep-2017
Developed by: Anunaya Jha and B. Susheela, DePWD
Language: Hindi & English
Aim: Providing all relevant information pertaining to the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, including its various acts, rules, regulations and guidelines, schemes, information about the various outreach institutions, employment opportunities, and the disability market in an accessible format.
The unique features of Divyang Saathi are:
Audio notes (text-to-voice conversion software) embedded in the application which converts the written information into an audio file as well as the adjustable font size which can be altered as per the user’s requirement.
The mobile application will certainly have a wide outreach as it has been developed bilingually i.e., the information is available in Hindi as well as English.
The application has been so developed that once downloaded, it can be accessed by any Android smartphone User who may or may not has access to the internet.
