Lok Sabha Question No. 354 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-04
Subject: Rehabilitation of Differently Abled Children
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shantanu Thakur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (DIVYANGJAN)

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 354

## REHABILITATION OF DIFFRENTLY ABLED CHILDREN

354: SHRI SHANTANU THAKUR:

Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

(a) the provisions made under the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan;

(b) the provisions made for the overall rehabilitation of differently- abled children; and

(c) the precautions taken by the Government to benefit the genuinely disabled people so that it can reach the real needy people?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

## (SHRI KRISHANPAL GURJAR)

(a) Accessible India Campaign (AIC) was launched on 03.12.2015 as a nation-wide flagship campaign for achieving universal accessibility. The campaign focuses on enhancing the accessibility of the built environment, transport system and information & communication eco-system for the benefit of Persons with Disabilities.

Provision has been made under the Accessible India Campaignto make selected buildings of States/UTs accessible under built-up environment, International  and  Domestic airports   Railway Stations; Bus Stops and their services accessible under the transportation sector: Provision has also been made for selected websites of States/UTs and Central Government to be made   accessible along with documents uploaded in these websites to be in accessible format; Further, provisions for accessible enhancing of TV viewing  experience has also been   made under Information & Technologies (ICT) ecosystem.

(b) The Central Government has enacted "The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPwD), 2016" which came into force on 19.04.2017. TheAct provides various rights and entitlement for persons with disabilities including children with disabilities. So far as children with disabilities are concerned, the Act specifically provides for protection from abuse, violence and exploitation, right to live with family, free education for children with benchmark disabilitiesupto the age of 18 years etc. It further mandates the appropriate Government to take specific measures to ensure that children   and women with disabilities enjoy their rights equally with others.

Relief to the disabled is a State subject by virtue of entry 9 of the State List of constitution of India: However; the Central Government supplements the efforts of the States Government through various schemes and programmes for empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) including children with disabilities. Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) implements the following major   schemes and   programmes for Persons with  Disabilities   including   children with disabilities:

## Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP):

Under this scheme, funds are released to various implementing agencies to assist the needy persons with disabilities including students with disabilities in procuring durable,   sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern,  standard aids and appliances that can  promote their physical, social and   psychological rehabilitation by reducing the effects of   disabilities and enhance their economic potential throughout the country.Cochlear Implant surgery of the needy children with hearing disabilityin the age group of0-6 years is also supported under the scheme:

## (ii) Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS):

This is a Central is provided to Non-Government Organizations for various projects for the welfare of PwDsUnder the scheme, there is provision for funding special schools for children with disabilities. The admission of the children in these schools is based on the disability certificate. special

## (iii) Scholarships for Students with Disabilities:

The Department implements another Central Sector Umbrella Scheme; "Scholarships for Students with Disabilities" with the following components:

- Pre-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities(SwDs) (For Class IX & X)
- 3 Class Education Scholarship for SwDs (For Graduate and Post-graduate Degree/Diploma in notified Institutes of excellence in Education). Top
- 2 Post-Matric Scholarship for SwDs (For Class XI to Post-graduate Degree/Diploma)
- National Overseas Scholarship (For Master' s Degree/Ph.D. in Foreign Universities).
- 6\_ Free Coaching for SwDs (for recruitment examinations  for Group A & B posts and entrance examinations for admission in technical and professional courses).
- 5\_ National Fellowship for PwDs (For M.Phil. and PhD. in Indian Universities.

(c) Section 91 ofThe Rights with Disabilities Act   (RPwD), 2016, provides for punishmentfor those who fraudulently avail or attempts to avail benefit meant for   Person with benchmark disabilities.