Lok Sabha Question No. 426 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-04
Subject: Initiatives for the Empowerment of Divyangjans
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Dr. Nishikant Dubey, Smt. Kriti Devi Debbarman, Shri Vijay Baghel, Shri Praveen Patel, Shri Kali Charan Singh, Ms Kangna Ranaut, Shri Damodar Agrawal, Shri P P Chaudhary, Shri Suresh Kumar Kashyap, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Shri Anup Sanjay Dhotre, Smt. Smita Uday Wagh, Smt. Aparajita Sarangi, Shri Manoj Tiwari, Shri Chandra Prakash Joshi

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 426 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2025

## INITIATIVES FOR THE EMPOWERMENT OF DIVYANGJANS

426.     Shri Damodar Agrawal:

Shri Anurag Singh Thakur;

Shri Manoj Tiwari:

Shri Praveen Patel:

Shri Anup Sanjay Dhotre:

Shri Vijay Baghel:

Shri P P Chaudhary:

Smt. Kriti Devi Debbarman:

Dr. Nishikant Dubey:

Smt. Aparajita Sarangi:

Shri Suresh Kumar Kashyap:

Ms Kangna Ranaut:

Shri Kali Charan Singh:

Smt. Smita Uday Wagh:

Shri Chandra Prakash Joshi:

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

- (a)  the  details  of  steps  taken  to  ensure  that  Divyangjans  in  remote  or  underserved  areas  are informed about the 16 initiatives launched to empower the Divyangjans across India which aims to  ensure  accessibility  and  equal  opportunities  for  Persons  with  Disabilities  along  with  the number of beneficiaries;
- (b) the details of steps taken to involve the private sector and Non-Governmental Organizations to create an inclusive environment for Persons with Disabilities in the country particularly rural & semi-urban areas like Jalgaon Lok Sabha constituency;
- (c)  the  details  of  measure  to  examine  the  long-term  impact of  these  initiatives  on  the  lives  of Divyangjans in terms of empowerment and inclusion;

(d)  whether  any  monitoring  mechanism  has  been  established  to  evaluate  the  impact  of  these initiatives on Divyangjans, if so, the steps taken to address gaps identified; and

(e)  whether  any  dedicated  helplines  or  assistance  centers  have  been  established  to  help Divyangjans access these initiatives, if so, the details thereof and number of persons assisted?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR  SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI B.L. VERMA)

(a)    The  Department  of  Empowerment  of  Persons  with  Disabilities  (Divyangjan)  under  the Ministry  of  Social  Justice  and  Empowerment  marked  International  Day  of  Persons  with Disabilities  2024  with  launch  of  16  groundbreaking  initiatives  to  empower  Divyangjan  across India. Through these initiatives, the Department aim to ensure equal opportunities, accessibility and empowerment for every Divyangjan. List of Initiatives launched is at Annexure.

Widespread  awareness  has  been  done  through  print,  electronic,  digital  and  social  media platforms to ensure that Divyangjan across India including those in remote or underserved areas are informed about these initiatives.

(b)  The chapter IX of the RPwD Act 2016 provides for registration of institutes like NGOs, etc. that  are  working  for  the  empowerment  of  persons  with  disabilities.  It  further  states  that the appropriate  Government  may  within  the  limits  of  their  economic  capacity  and  development, grant  financial  assistance  to  registered  institutions  to  provide  services  and  to  implement  the schemes  and  programmes  across  the  country  including  rural  &  semi-urban  areas  like  Jalgaon Lok Sabha constituency, in pursuance of the provisions of the said Act.

Most  of  the  initiatives  launched  are  in  collaboration  with  private  sector  and  NonGovernmental Organizations to create an inclusive environment for Persons with Disabilities in the country including Jalgaon Lok Sabha constituency. Such initiatives include launch of better aids  and appliances  for  use  of  Divyangjan,  MoUs  with  private  companies  to  enhance employment  opportunities  for  divyangjan,  sharing  codes  for enhancing  accessibility  and Accessible Learning Materials etc.

(c) and (d) These 16 initiatives have been launched to ensure equal opportunities, accessibility and empowerment for every Divyangjan and to create an inclusive environment for Persons with Disabilities in the country. Periodic review and regular follow-ups with the stakeholders are done by  the  Department  for  holistic  improvement  towards  the  empowerment  of  Persons  with Disabilities.

To address identified  gaps,  Department  is  focused  on  strict  policy  implementation  and enforcement, alongside strengthening monitoring mechanisms.

(e)  Yes. The Department launched National Disability Information Helpline Service (NDIHS) on  Short  Code-14456  in  January  2024.  The  helpline  provides  round-the-clock  telephonic assistance in English and Hindi through an Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) and call attendant support during working hours.

NDIHS  provides  information  about  aids  and  assistive  devices,  Unique  Disability  ID (UDID)  services,  educational  and  economic  empowerment  programmes  for  persons  with disabilities  (PwDs),  benefits, and  concessions  under  Government  schemes etc.  Around 65,000 persons have been assisted through the helpline so far.

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## List of Initiatives launched on 3 rd December, 2024

1. Sugamya  Bharat  Abhiyan: An  online  platform for  empanelment  of  accessibility auditors for built environments was introduced, reflecting the government's commitment to creating inclusive infrastructure
2. Sugamya  Bharat  Yatra: A  unique  initiative  in  partnership  with  the  Association  for Persons with Disabilities, where Divyangjan will assess the accessibility of public spaces using the AI-enabled "Yes to Access" app.
3. Pathways  to  Access  -  Part  3  Compendium: The  third  installment  of  the  series highlights key government documents on employment, financial services and healthcare for persons with disabilities, empowering them with knowledge and access to resources.
4. High-Power  Spectacles: Developed  by  CSIR-CSIO,  these  glasses  cater  to  individuals with low vision, offering superior optical clarity and improving quality of life.
5. Divyasha E-Coffee Table Book: ALIMCO's e-book, launched to commemorate its 50year journey, showcases inspiring stories and achievements in providing assistive devices to Divyangjan.
6. Kadam Knee Joint: An  indigenous  innovation  developed  by  IIT  Madras  and  SBMT, offering  enhanced  mobility  and  durability,  launched  as  a  major  leap  in  assistive technology.
7. Awareness Generation and Publicity Portal: A digital platform for seamless application  under  the  Awareness  Generation  and  Publicity  Scheme  was  inaugurated  to enhance transparency and efficiency.
8. Accessible Storybooks: In collaboration with NIEPVD and NBT, 21 accessible books in Braille, audio and large print formats were launched to promote inclusive education.
9. Standard  Bharti  Braille  Code: A  draft  for  standardized  Braille  scripts  in  13  Indian languages was introduced for public consultation, ensuring consistency and compatibility with Unicode standards.
10. Braille  Books  Portal: An  online  submission  portal  for  creating  Braille  books  was unveiled, fostering inclusive education.
11. MoU with Infosys BPM: A significant partnership to enhance employment opportunities for Divyangjan through the PM DAKSH portal's Divyangjan Rozgar Setu initiative.
12. Employability Skills Book: Released in 11 Indian languages, this book bridges the gap between education and employment for Divyangjan, promoting economic independence.
13. Infosys  Springboard  Skill  Programme: Infosys  Springboard  in  collaboration  with Yunikee offered courses to help deaf learners across India to develop skills across various fields and acquire marketable abilities.
14. Google Extension for Persons with Hearing Impairment: SignUp Media and Yunikee partnered to provide robust, reliable, accessible source of sign language communication in entertainment, information and educational media for the Deaf community in India in accessing entertainment and other video content.
15. E-Sanidhya Portal : Tata Power Community Development Trust and NIEPID, Secunderabad  developed  Tata  E-Sanidhya  Neuro-Diversity  Platform  as  a  specialized online  and  offline  (digital)  service  designed  to  assist  individuals  with  neuro-diversity conditions, particularly those affected by autism.
16. Computer-Based  Indian  Intelligence  Test  by  NIEPID,  Secunderabad: NIEPID  has developed an indigenous Indian Test of Intelligence, with the key strengths in its cultural relevance  and  sensitivity.  The  data  from  4,070  children  across  different  parts  of  India ensures that the test represents the Indian population accurately.

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