What Are The Schemes Available For The Specially-Abled?

The Government of India has focused on providing facilities and assistance at minimum or no cost to the specially abled in the country. This is to enable them to live healthy and regular lives. The assistance is essential for these persons’ social, economic, and vocational rehabilitation. The government has different schemes, recognising the unique challenges faced by the specially abled in society.

The government makes these schemes through different ministries and departments. Some of the key ministries and government departments are as follows:

• Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
• Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD)
• National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Implementing or creating any scheme must promote inclusivity, give access to resources, and improve the quality of life of these persons. As of today, the Indian government has made significant advancements in providing relief to the specially abled. These schemes ensure social integration, provide equal opportunities, and, most importantly, economic independence.

This article examines three of these schemes—their objectives, eligibility, and assistance/benefits—to help readers become aware of the present schemes and how they are helping the target group.

The following schemes are applicable to help the specially-abled:

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

• Objectives: This scheme has been made with the following objectives:

1. To assist the specially-abled in obtaining certain appliances to help their physical, social, and psychological rehabilitation.
2. These appliances must be durable, sophisticated, scientifically manufactured, and modern.
3. The appliances given to these persons must have due certification.

• Eligibility: To be a beneficiary under this scheme, the following criteria must be met:

1. The person must be an Indian citizen. Age is not a bar here.
2. He/she must possess a unique disability identity card (UDID) issued by the Ministry, an enrollment number for the UDID card, and a disability certificate showing at least 40% disability. He/she should also have an Aadhar card or Aadhar’s enrollment ID.
3. The person should not receive more than Rs.30,000/- per month as income from all sources.
4. If the person is a dependant, the income of parents or guardians must not exceed Rs. 30,000/—per month.
5. Lastly, only those who have not received assistance from any government or non-official organisation during the last 3 years will be eligible. The exception is made for children under 18. As for them, the limit is 1 year.

• Assistance available under the scheme: Once you enrol in this scheme, the following assistance shall be provided:

1. For aids/appliances costing up to Rs. 15,000, full financial assistance will be given.
2. For aids/appliances costing between RS. 15,001 and Rs. 30,000, financial assistance up to Rs. 15,000 shall be given
3. Beyond this, the contribution must be made from different government funds, or the beneficiary himself has to arrange the necessary appliance.
4. The comprehensive list of items available as aids and assistive devices is provided and updated on the DEPwD and ARJUN websites.

• Identification of beneficiaries: The government shall use the following mediums for identifying the beneficiaries of the scheme:

1. Through Camps
2. Through Headquarters
3. Through Mobile App
4. Through ARJUN Portal

Disha Scheme

• Objectives: The scheme has been made with the following objectives:

1. It aims to establish the Disha Centre for early intervention for persons with disabilities (PwD) aged 0–10 years through therapy, training, and support for family members.
2. Registered Organisations (RO) must operate and provide certain minimum facilities in these Disha Centres.

• Eligibility: To be a beneficiary under this scheme, the following criteria must be met:

1. The age should be between 0 and 10 years.
2. The person should have any disabilities covered under the National Trust Act.
3. He/she should not be registered under the Samarth Scheme.

• Benefits: Once you enrol in this scheme, the following assistance shall be provided:

1. The RO will provide daycare facilities to specially abled people for at least four hours daily, between 8 am and 6 pm, along with age-specific activities.
2. The daycare where a person has enrolled shall be open at least 21 days a month. This means they need not worry about their well-being, as these centres will care for them almost the entire time.
3. The centre will provide a Special Educator or Early Intervention Therapist, a Physiotherapist or Occupational therapist, and a Counsellor, along with Caregivers.
4. The centres will have a medical assessment room, activity room, and recreation room.

• Enrolment Process: For enrolling at the Disha centre, the following process has to be followed:

1. Visit the nearest Disha centre with the required proof.
2. An assessment test will be conducted with the help of a Therapist or Counsellor. If the child is able to attend school, the parents/guardians will be guided accordingly. If not, they can simply enrol at the Disha centre.
3. The RO will make the requisite checks regarding the background. After verification, the child is enrolled in the centre, and an ID Card is given to the parents or guardians.

GHARAUNDA Scheme

• Objectives: The scheme has been made with the following objectives:

1. It provided assured home and minimum quality of care services.
2. Establishment of requisite infrastructure throughout the country.
3. Encouraging assisted living with independence and dignity.
4. Ensuring sustainability in providing care services.

• Eligibility: To be a beneficiary under this scheme, the following criteria must be met:

1. The person should be more than 18 years of age.
2. The person should have any one of the disabilities as mentioned under the National Trust Act, 1999. These disabilities are autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and multiple disabilities.

• Benefits: Once you enrol in this scheme, the following assistance shall be provided:

1. The beneficiaries shall be assured of a home and minimum quality of care services throughout their lives.
2. They will have easy access to basic medical care.
3. To further ease their lives, vocational and pre-vocational activities shall be conducted.

• Enrolment Process: For enrolling at the Gharaunda Centre, the following process has to be followed:

1. The specially-abled person is brought to the centre.
2. A therapist or counsellor shall conduct an assessment test to determine the specific needs.
3. If the person is an orphan, abandoned, or from a family in crisis, authorised district officials must certifiy it.
4. Further checks are made, and the person is automatically enrolled in the Niramaya scheme and Gharaunda.
5. Lastly, the parent/guardian fills out the enrollment form and pays the fee (if applicable).

In conclusion, the government has made significant strides in ensuring that the specially-abled are covered through different schemes. This is to ensure that they have assistance for the rest of their lives and that their integration into society happens smoothly. Although this article mentions only three schemes, several others cover several aspects of their lives, thus promoting inclusivity and empowerment towards economic independence.