The Centre for Internet and Society
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These are the search results for the query, showing results 1 to 15.
Study on Budget Allocation and Expenditure by States on Schemes for Persons with Disabilities
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/study-on-budget-allocation-and-expenditure-by-states-on-schemes-for-persons-with-disabilities
<b>In a follow up to the ongoing project of compiling a National Compendium of Laws, Policies and Programmes for Persons with Disabilities, we are conducting a research to study the allocation in the budget for schemes for persons with disabilities, expenditures incurred for each scheme and total numbers of beneficiaries for all states and union territories.</b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">In this context, applications under the RTI Act have been sent to departments covering persons with disabilities in all states requesting the following details for the period 2012 – 2014:</p>
<ol>
<li>Total budget allocated for each scheme per year.</li>
<li>Total expenditure on budget for each scheme per year.</li>
<li>List of beneficiaries for each scheme per year.</li>
</ol>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Responses are currently being received from various districts and state departments for the above queries. State-wise details will be compiled and published on the website.</p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/study-on-budget-allocation-and-expenditure-by-states-on-schemes-for-persons-with-disabilities'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/study-on-budget-allocation-and-expenditure-by-states-on-schemes-for-persons-with-disabilities</a>
</p>
No publisheranandi2014-10-06T04:38:38ZBlog EntrySmartphones and the Return to Dependency
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/smartphones-return-to-dependency
<b>The new age smartphones that operate by touch mean much more than exciting new technology to persons with visual impairment, they signify the return to the world of dependency, a situation that the group had successfully steered out of some years ago with the support provided by accessible devices and assistive technology.</b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The older models of feature phones with hard keyboards were of great use especially to the visually impaired community due to the simplicity of navigation afforded by tactile keys and the support offered by assistive screen reader software. Also, multiple models of these phones were available in various price ranges, thus making them affordable to a large cross section of persons with visual impairment. These aspects made it possible for visually impaired persons to start using mobile phones independently for all communication and information purposes.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">However, the popularity of touchphones have made every manufacturer of mobile phones shift the focus of development to the new technology and away from production of feature phones. This shift has proved to be exceptionally challenging for persons with visual impairment as it means a forced move to using touch phones and has once again created the need to depend on sighted assistance.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">It may be argued that the smart phones do come in equipped with accessibility features that should make it easy to use them. However, a range of issues from excessive time loss in exploring the features and functions by touch to difficulty in sending and receiving texts due to the immense time consumed in navigating keys on the soft keyboard to difficulties faced in swiping on the indicated lines to answer or reject calls make it difficult for persons with visual impairment to use the current generation smartphones with the same level of ease and comfort as the older feature phones.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">There are also other accessibility challenges: some of the soft keys are not labelled, hence the visually impaired user is unable to use these keys independently; accessibility options do not permit text content to be read with internal navigation i.e. navigating within the text to read word by word, or even character by character, but the text is read as a whole thus hindering comprehension and requiring sighted assistance in reading the text — this not only compromises independence but also the privacy of the individual; and the feature that reduces the sound of the screen reader during a call makes it difficult to navigate and end a call independently — a major difficulty in a country with high levels of noise in public places.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">In addition, the new generation smartphones also pose an affordability challenge — smartphones that are equipped with comparatively better accessibility features are at the top end of the price spectrum and consequently out of reach of the majority of visually impaired users and smartphones in the affordable price range come with many accessibility limitations that force the users to depend on external help.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">One of the ways this situation can be addressed is by requiring manufacturers of smartphones to also develop smartphones with hard keyboards parallely with regular devices, another way could be to encourage the continuation of production of feature phones that were being used so successfully by persons with visual impairment. In addition to being of use to persons with visual impairment, these phones will also be of use to senior citizens who also struggle with various types of sensory and muscular impediments and face difficulty in adapting to new technology due to advancing age.</p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/smartphones-return-to-dependency'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/smartphones-return-to-dependency</a>
</p>
No publisheranandiAccessibility2014-09-07T06:32:52ZBlog EntryResponse to RTI Applications from Different States on Accessibility
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/response-to-rti-applications-from-different-states-on-accessibility
<b>The Centre for Internet and Society (CIS) had sent right to information (RTI) applications from various states seeking information on the allocation and expenditure in the budget for implementing various schemes for persons with disabilities. CIS received the first set of documents. </b>
<p>Click to download the documents received from <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/rti-response-to-accessibility-in-states" class="internal-link">various states here</a>.</p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/response-to-rti-applications-from-different-states-on-accessibility'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/response-to-rti-applications-from-different-states-on-accessibility</a>
</p>
No publisheranandiAccessibility2015-02-08T08:30:27ZBlog EntryOpen House with George Abraham: Mainstreaming Persons with Disabilities
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/open-house-with-george-abraham
<b>CIS collaborated with Ashoka India to host ‘Open House with George Abraham’ – an open discussion on inclusion of persons with disabilities in mainstream society on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at the Ashoka premises.</b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The event involved screening of episodes from ‘NazaryaNazariya’ — a television series on living with visual impairment — followed by a discussion with George Abraham, CEO, Score Foundation, on identifying and resolving challenges that restrict inclusion of persons with disabilities in mainstream society.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><i>Nazarya Nazariya</i> (Sight or Perspective) is a series that was created by the Delhi based <a class="external-link" href="http://scorefoundation.org.in/">Score Foundation</a> and was telecast on <a class="external-link" href="http://www.ddindia.gov.in/Default.aspx">Doordarshan</a>. The series showcases different challenges faced by persons with visual impairment and explores steps to ensure inclusion of the visually impaired.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The discussion with George Abraham initially centred around the importance of education and universal design — the topics highlighted in the two episodes that were screened — before moving on to other areas such as use of assistive technology, enhancing employability of persons with disabilities, developing equal employment opportunities and creating an inclusive workplace.</p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/open-house-with-george-abraham'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/open-house-with-george-abraham</a>
</p>
No publisheranandiAccessibility2014-06-04T10:53:11ZBlog EntryNational Resource Kit: The Uttarakhand Chapter (Call for Comments)
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-uttarakhand-chapter-call-for-comments
<b>The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Uttarakhand.</b>
<h2>Executive Summary</h2>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Uttarakhand is yet to enact any specific legislation for persons with disabilities. The state currently implements certain social security schemes and provides scholarships for students with disabilities.</p>
<p><b>State Profile</b></p>
<ul>
<li>Capital: Dehradun</li>
<li>Population: 10,116,752</li>
<li>Population of Persons with Disabilities: 1, 94, 769 (2001 Census)</li>
<li>Literacy: 79.63%</li>
<li>HDI: 0.515 Rank: 7th<a href="#fn1" name="fr1">[1]</a></li>
<li>Department: Social Welfare Department</li>
<li>Directorate: Directorate of Social Welfare</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Legal Provisions<br /></b>The government of Uttarakhand has not enacted any legislation specifically for persons with disabilities. The state has implemented some social protection initiatives and schemes for education. These are listed categorically as below:</p>
<p><b>Education</b><br />Students with disabilities or students whose guardians are persons with disabilities and whose monthly income does not exceed Rs. 2000 are eligible to receive scholarships.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Scholarships are provided from class 1 to post-graduate level education as per the below mentioned rates and standards:</p>
<table class="plain">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Category</th><th colspan="3">Standard for Scholarship</th><th>Period (Maximum)</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="4">
<p>Handicapped Student</p>
</td>
<th>Class</th><th>Rate Per Month</th><th>Limit of Income of Parents</th>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1 - 5</td>
<td>Rs. 50/-</td>
<td>Maximum Rs.2000/- per month</td>
<td>12 months</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6 - 8</td>
<td>Rs. 80/-</td>
<td>Maximum Rs.2000/- per month</td>
<td>12 months</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9 - 10</td>
<td>Rs. 170/-</td>
<td>Maximum Rs.2000/- per month</td>
<td>12 months</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>Standard for Scholarship</th><th colspan="2">Rate Per Month</th><th>Limit of Annual Income of Parents</th><th>Period (Maximum)</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<th>Hosteller</th><th>Day Scholar</th>
<td rowspan="4">Maximum upto Rs.24,000/- per year</td>
<td rowspan="4" style="text-align: justify; ">From the date of admission to the month of examination of the last year. (If the admission is taken after the 20th day of the month than the scholarship will be applicable from following month).</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Inter</td>
<td>Rs.140/-</td>
<td>Rs. 85/-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Graduation</td>
<td>Rs.180/-</td>
<td>Rs. 125/-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Post Graduation and other Vocational Course</td>
<td>Rs.240/-</td>
<td>Rs.170/-</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Social Protection</b><br />The government of Uttarakhand provides a maintenance grant to destitute persons with disabilities at the rate of Rs. 600 per month. Disabled persons eligible for this pension should either belong to the BPL category or persons whose monthly income does not exceed Rs. 1000. Persons with disabilities in the age group of 18 to 65 years with 80 per cent or more disability or who have multiple disabilities and are below the poverty line are eligible to receive a grant of Rs. 400 from the state government and Rs. 200 from the Government of India under the National Disability Pension Scheme. Persons with disabilities who are leprosy cured are eligible for a grant of Rs. 1000 per month. Persons with disabilities applying for the grant should at least have 40 per cent of disability as certified by the concerned Chief Medical Officer. He / she should not have any other source of income. Those applicants whose sons / grandsons are below 20 years of age and who live below the poverty line are eligible to apply for the grant.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government has brought out a scheme that honours employees for achievements with state level awards for the best employee in case of employees with disabilities and persons with disabilities who are self employed. Other categories include best employer and placement officers. The government provides a cash award of Rs. 500 along with a letter of appreciation by the Department of Social Welfare.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The state provides marriage grants for persons with disabilities provided that the couple are citizens of India and are domiciled in Uttarakhand or have been residing in the state for five or more years and provided that neither the bride nor the groom have been convicted in any criminal case. Rs. 11,000 is given as a grant when the bridegroom is disabled and a grant of Rs. 14,000 is given in cases where either the bride or both bride and groom are disabled.<br /><br />The government of Uttarakhand has introduced a shop construction rehabilitation scheme wherein those persons with disabilities who have their own land will be provided a loan of Rs. 20,000 to set up their shop. The government provides Rs. 15,000 as loan at an interest of four per cent and the remaining Rs. 5000 is given as a grant.<br /><br />Persons with disabilities are eligible to travel free of cost on buses belonging to the State Road Transport Corporation.<br /><br />The Department of Social Welfare provides a maximum grant of Rs. 3500 to persons with disabilities for the purchase of artificial organ and hearing aid equipment. Persons with disabilities applying for this grant should not have a monthly income of more than 1000 <br /><br />Under the central ADIP scheme, persons with disabilities are provided grants to acquire artificial organs, aids and appliances through the implementing agencies / institutions. These are:</p>
<ol>
<li>Narayan Sewa Sansthan Trust, Sewadham Sewanagar, Hiran Magari, Sector-4, Udaipur – 313040 – Rajasthan</li>
<li>Bajaj Institute of Learning, 155, Rajpur Road, Dehradun</li>
<li>National Institute for the Blind, 116, Rajpur Road, Dehradun.</li>
</ol>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The state government conducts camps and seminars for persons with disabilities to sanction their pensions. These camps are conducted near their village panchayats or judicial panchayats for the convenience of persons with disabilities.</p>
<hr align="left" size="1" width="100%" />
<p>[<a href="#fr1" name="fn1">1</a>].https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uttarakhand</p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-uttarakhand-chapter-call-for-comments'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-uttarakhand-chapter-call-for-comments</a>
</p>
No publisheranandiCall for CommentsAccessibility2013-11-07T06:15:11ZBlog EntryNational Resource Kit: The Punjab Chapter (Call for Comments)
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-punjab-chapter-call-for-comments
<b>The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Punjab.</b>
<h2>Executive Summary</h2>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Punjab has not enacted any specific law or state policy for persons with disabilities in the state. The Social Security and Women and Child Development Department, which is primarily responsible for the welfare of persons with disabilities within the state, has implemented several schemes for the benefit of persons with disabilities. There are eight schemes in education, seven schemes in employment and four schemes in social protection.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">State Profile</h3>
<ul>
<li>Capital: Chandigarh</li>
<li>Population: 27,704,236</li>
<li>Population of Persons with Disabilities: 4,24,523 (2001 Census)</li>
<li>Literacy: 76.68%</li>
<li>HDI: 0.679 Rank: 9<sup>th</sup> (2005)<a href="#fn1" name="fr1">[1]</a></li>
<li>Department: Social Security and Women and Child Development Department</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Legal Provisions</b><br />The government of Punjab has not enacted any law for persons with disabilities nor has any state policy been introduced or implemented for persons with disabilities. However, the department that is primarily responsible for the welfare of persons with disabilities in Punjab has been implementing several schemes for the persons with disabilities. These schemes have been listed below as:</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Education</b><br />Students with visual impairment are allowed The government provides three per cent reservation for persons with disabilities in different courses in all the universities in Punjab.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Students with visual impairment are allowed the use of a scribe while appearing for their examinations. The government provides students with visual impairment a sum of Rs. 50 per month as allowance for their helper.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government provides a scholarship of Rs. 200 per month for students with disabilities up to class VIII and Rs. 300 per month scholarship for disabled students from class IX onwards. In addition to the above scholarship, girls with disabilities and disabled rural learners up to class X are provided an attendance scholarship of Rs. 1500 every year along with a scholarship of Rs. 1000 per year towards uniform and stationery. The government has a provision to award a scholarship of Rs. 1500 per year towards clothes and Rs. 1500 per year towards stationery for girls with disabilities studying in class XI and above.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The Punjab School Education Board has exempted students with visual impairment and students with hearing impaired from appearing for the middle standard Examinations.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Students with disabilities are exempted from appearing for practical examinations. They are graded based on their performance in the written examination.</p>
<p>The government of Punjab provides free books to students with visual impairment upto the age of 18 years.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Students with visual impairment are permitted to select two optional subjects in place of science and mathematics. These include additional languages, music and musical instruments.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Employment </b><br /><span>The government of Punjab provides three per cent reservation for direct recruitment of persons with disabilities in all the state departments, boards and corporations. The government further provides three per cent reservation in the promotion of employees with disabilities in groups A, B, C and D. The three per cent reservation is split up as one per cent for visually impaired, one per cent for hearing impaired and one per cent for physically disabled.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify; "><span>The state government has opened an employment office for providing employment opportunities to persons with disabilities at </span><span>SCO no. 118-119, Sector 22, Chandigarh.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify; ">The government of Punjab provides three per cent reservation for direct recruitment of persons with disabilities in all the state departments, boards and corporations. The government further provides three per cent reservation in the promotion of employees with disabilities in groups A, B, C and D. The three per cent reservation is split up as one per cent for visually impaired, one per cent for hearing impaired and one per cent for physically disabled.<br /><br />The state government has opened an employment office for providing employment opportunities to persons with disabilities at SCO no. 118-119, Sector 22, Chandigarh.<br /><br />Punjab provides persons with disabilities an age relaxation of ten years in fixed age limit during the recruitment process. The government has also extended the service period for persons with disabilities by extending their retirement age to 60 years from the regular 58 years.<br /><br />Persons with disabilities who are unable to type are exempted by the government from taking the typing examination during the tests for recruitment of clerks.<br /><br />Persons with disabilities who are employees of the state government are provided a conveyance allowance of Rs. 450 per month in addition to their salaries.<br /><br />The National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation, Faridabad provides loans at low interest rates for persons with disabilities to start their own business ventures. The state government has declared the Scheduled Caste and Finance Corporation the state channelizing agency.<br /><br />The department runs the Government Workshop for the Physically Disabled at Ludhiana to impart training to persons with disabilities in occupations such as weaving, hosiery, caning, candle making etc. Trainees enrolled for the courses are eligible to receive a scholarship of Rs. 300 per month.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify; "><b>Health & Rehabilitation </b><br />The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (Government of India) has established the Regional Spine Injuries Centre at Sector 70 SAS Nagar, Mohali. Spinal operations for the patients from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir are done at this centre.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify; "><b>Social Protection</b><br />The government provides a disability pension of Rs. 250 per month to persons with disabilities.<br /><br />Persons with disabilities who are unemployed and have registered themselves with the employment exchange are provided with unemployment allowance based on their disability and educational qualification.</p>
<table class="plain">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Category</th><th>Matric / Under graduate</th><th>Graduate / Post Graduate</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Visually impaired / Hearing impaired</td>
<td style="text-align: right; ">Rs. 450 p.m.</td>
<td style="text-align: right; ">Rs. 600 p.m.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Physically disabled</td>
<td style="text-align: right; ">Rs. 225 p.m.</td>
<td style="text-align: right; ">Rs. 300 p.m.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify; ">The state government has made provisions to award employees with disabilities for outstanding achievement at the workplace. The state government also recognises outstanding employers, institutions for the disabled, social workers and other players for their contribution through cash awards.<br /><br />Persons with disabilities who are visually impaired or physically disabled are eligible for free transport on state transport buses – Punjab Roadways and PRTC.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify; "><span> </span></p>
<hr align="left" size="1" width="100%" />
<div id="_mcePaste">[<a href="#fr1" name="fn1">1</a>]. <a class="external-link" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punjab,_India">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punjab,_India</a></div>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-punjab-chapter-call-for-comments'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-punjab-chapter-call-for-comments</a>
</p>
No publisheranandiCall for CommentsAccessibility2013-11-07T06:14:03ZBlog EntryNational Resource Kit: The Puducherry Chapter (Call for Comments)
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/ational-resource-kit-puducherry-chapter-call-for-comments
<b>The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Puducherry.</b>
<h3>Executive Summary</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The union territory of Puducherry has not passed any legislation for persons with disabilities but implements the provisions under the central laws. The benefits that are currently being offered to persons with disabilities include educational scholarships and social protection programmes that provide financial assistance, aids and appliances and subsidised fuel among others. The government currently implements around 21 schemes for persons with disabilities.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Quick Statistics</h3>
<ul>
<li>Capital: Puducherry</li>
<li>Population: 1,247,953</li>
<li>Population of Persons with Disabilities: 25,857</li>
<li>Literacy: 85.85%<a href="#fn1" name="fr1">[1]</a></li>
<li>HDI: 0.748<a href="#fn2" name="fr2">[2]</a></li>
<li>Department: Social Welfare Department</li>
</ul>
<h3>Legal Provisions</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The union territory of Puducherry has not passed any special legislation for persons with disabilities but implements the provisions under the three central laws:</p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">National Trust for Persons with Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act 1999</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Rehabilitation Council of India Act 1992</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Puducherry implements various schemes for the welfare of persons with disabilities that are listed below in various categories:</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Education</h3>
<p>The government offers scholarships to eligible students with disabilities in the following categories:</p>
<table class="plain">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Class / Standard</th><th>Amount</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Class I to Class V</td>
<td>Rs. 250 per annum</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Class VI to Class VIII</td>
<td>Rs. 500 per annum</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IX Std to XII Std</td>
<td>Rs. 850 per annum</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UG courses</td>
<td>Rs. 1250 per annum</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PG courses / Professional Courses</td>
<td>Rs. 1700 per annum</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Students with disabilities applying for the scholarships should fulfil the following conditions:</p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Total income of the family should not be more than Rs. 35,000 per annum</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Extent of disabilities of applicants should be 40 per cent or more</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Applicants should not be less than five years of age and should have resided in Puducherry for not less than five years.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Social Protection</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government offers annual state awards in recognition of persons with disabilities and services rendered to them. An award of Rs. 10,000 is offered to one outstanding employee with disability in either government or private employment or a person who is self employed. An award of Rs. 15,000 is given to an individual serving the cause of persons with disabilities. An award of Rs. 25,000 is given to an institute serving the cause of persons with disabilities. The awards are given subject to selection by a state level committee. Persons with disabilities selected for awards should have a minimum of 40 per cent disability.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Persons with disabilities who are employees of the government are covered by a group insurance scheme. In case of death of any employee with disability due to an accident while in service, the sum insured would be paid to the family of the deceased employee as follows:</p>
<table class="plain">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Category</th><th>Sum Assured</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Group A</td>
<td>Rs. 1, 20,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Group B</td>
<td>Rs. 60,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Group C</td>
<td>Rs. 30,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Group D</td>
<td>Rs. 15,000</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Employees of the government with 40 per cent or more disability are covered under this scheme.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Persons with disabilities who are not employees of the Puducherry government are covered under the Insurance Scheme for Persons with Disabilities other than the employees of the Government of Puducherry 2004. In case of death of the disabled person due to an accident, an amount of Rs. 25,000 is paid to the family. In case of loss of one limb or one eye, an amount of Rs. 12,500 is paid to the person. The policy covers persons with disabilities in the age group of five to 74 years with disability of 40 per cent or more and who are residents of Puducherry for not less than five years.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government of Puducherry issues identity cards to persons with disabilities for ready reference to avail the benefits of welfare schemes. Persons with disability of not less than 40 per cent and whose total income does not exceed Rs. 35,000 per annum are eligible to apply for identity cards.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government provides marriage grant for persons with disabilities. For marriage between a disabled person and a non disabled person, a grant of Rs. 25,000 is provided, of which Rs. 5000 is given in cash and Rs. 20,000 is given in the form of National Savings Certificate. For marriage between persons with disabilities, a grant of Rs. 50,000 is given. Of this, Rs. 20,000 is paid in cash and Rs. 30,000 is given in the form of National Savings Certificate. Persons with disabilities applying for this grant should fulfil the following eligibility criteria:</p>
<ul>
<li>Total income should not exceed Rs. 35,000 per annum</li>
<li>Should be above the age of 18 years (in case of women) and 21 years (in case of men).</li>
<li>Extent of disability should be 40 per cent or above</li>
<li>Should be the first marriage of the applicant</li>
<li>Marriage should be registered with the registrar</li>
<li>Should be a resident of the union territory of Puducherry</li>
<li>Application for the grant should be made within 120 days of the marriage</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government of Puducherry implements a scheme to provide subsidy on fuel to persons with disabilities who own motorised vehicles. The scheme provides 50 per cent subsidy on fuel to a maximum of 25 litres per month. Applicants who fulfil the following eligibility criteria are eligible to apply:</p>
<ul>
<li>Total income should not exceed Rs. 35,000 per annum</li>
<li>Extent of disability should be 40 per cent or more</li>
<li>Applicant should have resided in Puducherry for more than five years</li>
<li>The vehicle should be registered in the name of the applicant</li>
<li>Applicant should have a valid driver’s licence</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government of Puducherry grants financial assistance to persons with disabilities. Persons whose extent of disabilities are between 40 percent and 65 per cent are eligible for a grant of Rs. 1100 per month, those with disabilities between 66 per cent and 85 per cent are eligible for a grant of Rs. 1400 per month and persons with more than 86 per cent disabilities are eligible for a grant of Rs. 1750 per month. Persons applying for financial assistance should not have income exceeding Rs. 35,000 per annum and should have resided in Puducherry for not less than five years. Extent of disabilities for visually impaired, orthopedically disabled and hearing and speech impaired should be 40 per cent or more and those with mental disabilities should have an IQ less than 69 to be eligible to apply.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government offers reimbursement for maintenance of tricycles for persons with disabilities. A grant of Rs. 200 per annum is offered to persons who fulfil the following criteria:</p>
<ul>
<li>Extent of disability should be 40 per cent or more</li>
<li>Applicant should have resided in Puducherry for not less than five years</li>
<li>Tricycle should have been supplied by the Department or NGO free of cost</li>
<li>Applicant should produce the bill for repair charges issued in their name</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government supplies motorised tricycles free of cost to persons with locomotor disability affecting the lower limbs. The disability should be not less than 65 per cent. Total annual income of the applicant’s family should not exceed Rs. 35,000. Applicant should have resided in Puducherry for not less than five years. The applicant should be certified by the concerned medical authority that he or she is able to operate the motorised vehicle. The applicant should not be in receipt of transport allowance for conveyance from the department or any other source. The applicant should be in gainful employment or be pursuing higher studies.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Persons with disabilities are provided aids and appliances such as callipers, crutches, tricycles, hearing aids, spectacles and low vision aids by the government upon the advice of the specialists concerned attached to government general hospitals at Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. Persons applying for these appliances should have an income not exceeding Rs. 24,000 per annum, should have resided in Puducherry for not less than five years and the extent of their disability should be 40 per cent or more.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government provides free bus passes to persons with disabilities for travelling within the union territory. Persons with at least 40 per cent disabilities, who are residents of Puducherry for not less than five years and whose annual income does not exceed Rs. 35,000 are eligible to apply for the free bus passes.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Persons with disabilities are eligible to receive Rs. 100 per month through Anganwadi centres towards transport allowance. Persons applying for the allowance should fulfil the following eligibility criteria:</p>
<ul>
<li>Total income should not exceed Rs. 35,000 per annum</li>
<li>Should be above five years of age</li>
<li>Extent of disability should be 40 per cent or more</li>
<li>Should not have any formal educational qualification</li>
<li>Should have resided in Puducherry for not less than five years</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">If the applicant is in possession of free bus pass, he or she should surrender the same to the Directorate of Social Welfare. Applicant should also declare in the application form whether he or she would prefer to avail the transport allowance or the free bus pass.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Organisations working for the welfare of persons with disabilities are eligible to received musical and sports equipment from the government. Organisations must be registered to be eligible for this scheme.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Persons with visual impairment are eligible to receive a radio from the government. Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:</p>
<ul>
<li>Income should not exceed Rs. 35,000 per annum</li>
<li>Extent of disability should be 40 per cent or more</li>
<li>Should have been a resident of Puducherry for not less than five years</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Persons with disabilities are provided sarees and dhotis during Deepavali and other regional festivals. Persons wishing to benefit from the scheme should have at least 40 per cent disability, should have resided in Puducherry for not less than five years and should have registered themselves with the local Anganwadi centres.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government of Puducherry conducts a free annual tour for persons with disabilities to places of interest. Participants are selected for the tour conditionally upon meeting the following eligibility criteria:</p>
<ul>
<li>Should be in the age group of 18 to 50 years</li>
<li>Extent of disability should be 40 per cent or more</li>
<li>Should not be a government employee or child of a government employee</li>
<li>Income should not exceed Rs. 35,000 per annum</li>
<li>Should not have attended the tour in the past ten years</li>
<li>Should not suffer from any contagious diseases</li>
<li>Should have registered their names in the local Anganwadi centres</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government of Puducherry celebrates the International Day for Persons with Disabilities on the 3rd of December every year with activities and games.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Puducherry implements the Perunthalaivar Karmaveerar Kamaraj scheme towards funeral expenses of persons with disabilities. A grant of Rs. 2000 is given for the funeral expenses of persons with at least 40 per cent disability who have resided in Puducherry for not less than five years and whose income was less than Rs. 35,000 per annum. The grant is paid to the family member under whose care the deceased person was living at the time of his or her death.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Miscellaneous</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Puducherry offers cash incentive to eye donors to encourage eye donation. An incentive of Rs. 10,000 is awarded to a close relative of the donor. Donors should be 18 years of age or older to be eligible. Donors should have resided in Puducherry for not less than five years. The incentive can be claimed by a close relative only after the transplantation is completed. The incentive can be claimed only upto 90 days after the transplantation.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "> </p>
<hr />
<p>[<a href="#fr1" name="fn1">1</a>]. <a class="external-link" href="http://www.census2011.co.in/census/state/puducherry.html">http://www.census2011.co.in/census/state/puducherry.html</a></p>
<p>[<a href="#fr2" name="fn2">2</a>].<a class="external-link" href="http://indiatext.net/states-of-india/">http://indiatext.net/states-of-india/</a></p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/ational-resource-kit-puducherry-chapter-call-for-comments'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/ational-resource-kit-puducherry-chapter-call-for-comments</a>
</p>
No publisheranandiAccessibility2013-11-07T06:12:33ZBlog EntryNational Resource Kit: The Odisha Chapter (Call for Comments)
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-odisha-call-for-comments
<b>The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Odisha.</b>
<h2>Executive Summary</h2>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Odisha has the highest percentage (2.78%) of persons with disabilities in the country. The state has framed the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Amended Odisha Rules 2012 to implement the provisions under the central Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995. The state has issued two notifications in education, one notification in employment and one notification for health and rehabilitation.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">State Profile</h3>
<ul>
<li>Capital: Bhubaneswar</li>
<li>Population: 41,947,358<a href="#fn1" name="fr1">[1]</a> </li>
<li>Population of Persons with disabilities: 10, 50,000 (2.78%)[<a href="#fr2" name="fn2">2</a>]. (Census 2001)</li>
<li>HDI: 0.452 Rank: 27th</li>
<li>Literacy: 73.45%</li>
<li>Department: Women and Child Development Department</li>
<li>Directorate: Directorate for Welfare of Persons with Disabilities</li>
</ul>
<h3>Legal Provisions</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The state of Odisha has framed the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Amended Odisha Rules 2012 to implement the provisions under the central Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995 (Persons with Disabilities Act).<a href="#fn3" name="fr3">[3]</a> These rules have been issued as an amendment to the previous Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Odisha Rules 2003.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government of Odisha has formed the Directorate for Welfare of Persons with Disabilities under the Women and Child Development Department to cater to the requirements of persons with disabilities in the state.<a href="#fn4" name="fr4">[4]</a> The government has appointed the Collectors of each district as Deputy Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities for their respective district to assist the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities in discharging their functions.<a href="#fn5" name="fr5">[5]</a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The state in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) (i) and (2) (h) of Section 13 of the persons with Disabilities Act, appointed the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD) and Chairperson, Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights as members of the State Co-ordination Committee as constituted in the Department Notification No. 708-WCD, dated the 8th January 2003.<a href="#fn6" name="fr6">[6]</a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The various provisions by the state of Odisha for the persons with disabilities are listed categorically as under:</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Education<br /></b>The government of Odisha has framed the guidelines for establishment, recognition and grant-in-aid to institutions imparting education to children with disabilities to fulfil the mandates under the Persons with Disabilities Act, National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act 1998 and the Right of Education Act, 2009. <a href="#fn7" name="fr7">[7]</a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Odisha offers an integrated scholarship scheme for students with disabilities titled ‘Banishree – A Scholarship for Students with Special Needs’.<a href="#fn8" name="fr8">[8] </a>The scheme is open to students to continue their education from Class I to university education. Students from middle school and upwards (Class V and upwards) are eligible to apply under this scheme only if they do not receive any scholarship from the Government of India. Students from special schools registered under the Persons with Disabilities Act are eligible to apply provided that they are not in receipt of any grant-in-aid from the central or state government. Students with disabilities pursuing distance education through recognised universities and government organisation, or those pursuing professional, technical or professional courses in any of the recognised institutes are eligible to apply.</p>
<ul>
<li>Applicants must fulfill the following eligibility criteria: </li>
<li>Should be bonafide resident of Odisha </li>
<li>Should be a regular student of the educational institution </li>
<li>Total income of the applicant’s family should not be more than Rs. 60,000 per annum. </li>
<li>Should not be in receipt of any assistance, stipend or scholarship from the central or state governments under any other scheme. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Should enrol and regularly attend any institution irrespective of whether the applicant has passed the examination or not in a particular year. </li>
</ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">The rates of the scholarship offered under the scheme are given as below: </li>
<p>Within the state:</p>
<ul>
<li>Class I – Class V: Rs. 100 per month </li>
<li>Class VI – Class XI: Rs. 140 per month </li>
<li>Class +2 and Class +3: Rs. 160 per month </li>
<li>University – Post Graduation: Rs. 190 per month </li>
<li>Technical and Vocational: Rs. 190 per month </li>
</ul>
<p>Outside the state:</p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Students prosecuting normal course of study or technical/ vocational / professional education/training not available in the State and not covered by Govt. of India Scholarship are given a scholarship of Rs. 250 per month. </li>
</ul>
<li>Reader allowance for students with visual impairment:
<ul>
<li>Primary school: Rs. 100 per month </li>
<li>Middle and High School: Rs. 150 per month </li>
<li>Other studies: Rs. 200 per month </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Students with orthopaedic disabilities who have 75 per cent or more disability are eligible for a special transport allowance of Rs. 100 per month. </li>
<h3>Employment</h3>
<p>The government has made provisions to extend the benefits of the Odisha Revised Pay Rule 2008 to the teaching staff of the special schools for persons with disabilities.<a href="#fn9" name="fr9">[9]</a></p>
<h3>Health & Rehabilitation</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The District Rehabilitation Centre (DRC) Bhubaneswar has been renamed as the State Institute of Disability Rehabilitation Bhubaneswar and will function as the nodal centre for disability rehabilitation in the state and will be under the control of the Directorate for Welfare of Persons with Disabilities.<a href="#fn10" name="fr10">[10]</a></p>
<hr />
<p>[<a href="#fr1" name="fn1">1</a>]. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odisha</p>
<p>[<a href="#fr2" name="fn2">2</a>]. http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=39515</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr3" name="fn3">3</a>]. Women & Child Development Department, No. 1814 Cuttack Saturday September 22 2012/ Bhadra 31 1934, S.R.O No. 518/2012 Dated: 22 June 2012</p>
<p>[<a href="#fr4" name="fn4">4</a>]. Women & Child Development Department, No. 1881 Cuttack Friday, September 28th 2012/ Aswina 6 1934, No. 16140-DW-II-68/2012-WCD Dated: 15th September 2012</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr5" name="fn5">5</a>]. Women & Child Development Department, No. 1588 Cuttack Wednesday July 13 2011/ Asadha 22 1933, S.R.O. No. 537/ 2011 Dated: 30th June 2011</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr6" name="fn6">6</a>]. Women & Child Development Department, No. 982 Cuttack Thursday May17th 2012/ Baisakha 27 1934, No. 7871-DW-II-E-90/2010-WCD Dated: 4th May 2012</p>
<p>[<a href="#fr7" name="fn7">7</a>]. Women & Child Development Department, No. 112 Cuttack Monday, January 14th 20 13/ Pausa 24D 1934, No. 532/2013-WCD</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr8" name="fn8">8</a>]. Women & Child Development Department, No. 1426 Cuttack Friday July 25 2008/ Sravana 3 1930, No. 15776-HW-2-23/2008-WCD</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr9" name="fn9">9</a>]. Women & Child Development Department, No. 2189 Cuttack, Friday September 23 2011/ Aswina 1 1933 No. 15084-DW-I-(A)-40/2011-WCD</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr10" name="fn10">10</a>]. Women & Child Development Department, No. 1290 Cuttack Thursday June 2 2011/ Jaistha 12 1933, No. 10080-DW-H-E-412011-WCD</p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-odisha-call-for-comments'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-odisha-call-for-comments</a>
</p>
No publisheranandiAccessibility2013-11-07T06:14:29ZBlog EntryNational Resource Kit: The Maharashtra Chapter (Call for Comments)
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-maharashtra-chapter-call-for-comments
<b>The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Maharashtra. </b>
<h2>Executive Summary</h2>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The state of Maharashtra is in the process of finalising the Maharashtra State Policy for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. The draft is currently under discussion by the government and civil society organisations. The government of Maharashtra has issued notifications on providing assistive technologies to disabled employees in government and semi-government services.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>State Profile</b></p>
<ul>
<li>Capital: Mumbai</li>
<li>Population: 112,372,972</li>
<li>Population of Persons with Disabilities: 15,69,582 (2001 Census)</li>
<li>Literacy: 82.9%</li>
<li>HDI: 0.689 Rank: 12th (2005)<a href="#fn1" name="fr1">[1]</a> </li>
<li>Department: Department of Social Justice and Empowerment</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Legal Provisions</b><br />The state of Maharashtra is in the process of putting together a state policy for persons with disabilities to implement the provisions in the three central laws. The draft of this document is presently being deliberated by the government and civil bodies for persons with disabilities.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government has passed a few notifications for persons with disabilities. These are listed below:</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Accessibility<br /></b>The government of Maharashtra has published a list of supportive devices and assistive technologies that are required by blind and visually impaired employees in government and semi-government services to fulfil their duties. The order provides that the existing disabled employees as well as those who are to be appointed will have to be provided with these devices according to their needs.<a href="#fn2" name="fr2">[2]</a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government of Maharashtra has issued a notification to the effect that all employees with disabilities who are appointed to government and semi-government services will be provided with devices with assistive technology that enable them to carry out their designated tasks. The order provides that each disabled employee is eligible to purchase two devices worth a maximum of Rs. 50,000 per head and the charges borne by the employee for the purchase of the devices are to be reimbursed by the government within 15 days of the claim. The order further states that for devices worth more than Rs. 50,000 the department is responsible for purchasing the devices for the use of the employees.<a href="#fn3" name="fr3">[3]</a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Education<br /></b>The University of Mumbai has issued a circular approving the use of scribe and providing extra time to students with disabilities such as blindness, low vision and physical disability, and those suffering from conditions like dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia or equivalent conditions. The circular further provides that the principals of colleges and heads of institutes will be responsible for assisting the students in locating scribes and providing permission letters.<a href="#fn4" name="fr4">[4]</a></p>
<hr />
<p>[<a href="#fr1" name="fn1">1</a>]. <a class="external-link" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maharashtra">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maharashtra</a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr2" name="fn2">2</a>]. Social Justice and Special Support Department Government Decision Date: Court Order- 2011/C.No-4/Amendment – 3 Dated: 3rd June 2011</p>
<p>[<a href="#fr3" name="fn3">3</a>]. Social Justice and Special Services Department Government Circular No. Court Order – 2011/C No – 4/Amend Dated: 20th August 2011</p>
<p>[<a href="#fr4" name="fn4">4</a>]. No. Exam/COE/Benefit/102 of 2012 31st March, 2012</p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-maharashtra-chapter-call-for-comments'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-maharashtra-chapter-call-for-comments</a>
</p>
No publisheranandiCall for CommentsAccessibility2013-11-07T06:14:58ZBlog EntryNational Resource Kit: The Madhya Pradesh Chapter (Call for Comments)
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/the-madhya-pradesh-chapter
<b>The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Madhya Pradesh.</b>
<hr />
<p>Note: The chapter is an early draft and will undergo subsequent modifications. We welcome comments and feedback from our readers.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Executive Summary</h2>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The Department of Social Justice is responsible for the welfare of persons with disabilities in Madhya Pradesh. The state has an estimated population of 14,08,528<a href="#fn1" name="fr1">[1] </a>persons with disabilities of the total population of 72,597,565 people.<a href="#fn2" name="fr2">[2]</a> Madhya Pradesh has issued five notifications for Education, one notification for Skill Training and Employment, six notifications for Social Security, Health, Rehabilitation and Recreation and one notification for Accessibility.</p>
<h2 style="text-align: justify; ">Legal Provisions</h2>
<p>The notifications issued by the state for persons with disabilities are listed categorically as below:</p>
<h3>Education</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">1.1 The government implements a scheme that provides scholarships for eligible students with disabilities to pursue higher education abroad. <a href="#fn3" name="fr3">[3]</a> Students applying for scholarship under this scheme should fulfil the prescribed educational requirements, not be more than 35 years of age on the 1st January of the year of application and the total family income should not be more than Rs. 96,000 per annum. This scholarship is available to only one child per family. Application should be made on the prescribed format with all required attachments including witness form, income certificate, caste certificate, disability certificate and domicile proof.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">1.2 Madhya Pradesh implements a scheme that enables students with disabilities to pursue higher education in the fields of medicine, engineering, computer science and management studies through provision of maintenance and transport allowances and scholarships.<a href="#fn4" name="fr4">[4]</a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Fees of the disabled students of government universities and colleges would be directly paid by the Department. For students studying in private universities and colleges, fees equal to the government fees would be paid by the department and the balance is to be borne by the student. The students are eligible for a maintenance allowance of Rs. 1500 for a period of ten months which will be directly paid to the college. Students with disabilities are eligible to receive an amount of Rs. 500 from the Nagar Nigram Kshetra and an amount of Rs. 300 from the Nagar Palik Kshetra towards transport allowance for a period of 10 months. This amount would be directly paid to the college authorities. Applications under this scheme are to be made in the prescribed format. Applicants should fulfil the following conditions:</p>
<ul>
<li>Should have a minimum disability of 40 per cent.</li>
<li>Should be natives of Madhya Pradesh and should apply to study in universities and colleges within Madhya Pradesh.</li>
<li>Annual income of the family should not exceed Rs. 96,000.</li>
<li>Should not be in receipt of tuition fees and transport allowance from any other plan.</li>
<li>Students belonging to SC / ST or backward categories will have to choose to receive assistance for either SC/ST and backward classes, or for disabled students.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">1.3 Scholarships are awarded to eligible students with disabilities at the following rates.<a href="#fn5" name="fr5">[5]</a></p>
<table class="plain">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Category</td>
<td>Boys</td>
<td>Girls</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Primary School</td>
<td>Rs. 25 per month</td>
<td>Rs. 35 per month</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Higher Primary</td>
<td>Rs. 30 per month</td>
<td>Rs. 40 per month</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Middle School</td>
<td>Rs. 110 per year (SC / ST) (rural)</td>
<td>Rs. 120 per month (regular)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Middle School (Scholarships)</td>
<td>Rs. 500 per month</td>
<td>Rs. 500 per month</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Higher Middle School (SC / ST)</td>
<td>(Daily) Rs. 60 per month</td>
<td>(regular) Rs. 60 per month</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Higher Middle School (SC / ST)</td>
<td>Rs. 50 per month</td>
<td>(scholarship) Rs.60 per month <br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pre University level (General / Other Backward Classes)</td>
<td>(Regular) Rs. 250 per month</td>
<td>(Regular) Rs. 250 per month</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pre University level (General / Other Backward Classes)</td>
<td>(scholarship) Rs. 500 per month</td>
<td>(scholarship) Rs. 500 per month</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pre University level (SC/ST)</td>
<td>(regular) Rs. 65 per month</td>
<td>(regular) Rs. 65 per month</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pre University level (SC/ST)</td>
<td>(scholarship) Rs. 60 per month</td>
<td>(scholarship) Rs. 60 per month</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>After Graduation (General / Other Backward Classes)</td>
<td>(regular) Rs. 300 per month</td>
<td>(regular) Rs. 300 per month</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>After Graduation (General / Other Backward Classes)</td>
<td>(scholarship) Rs.525 per month <br /></td>
<td>(scholarship) Rs.525 per month</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>After Graduation (SC / ST)<br /></td>
<td>Rs. 60 per month</td>
<td>Rs. 60 per month</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Students with disabilities belonging to SC / ST category studying in technical colleges are also eligible to apply for scholarships. In addition to the scholarship given by the SC / ST boards, the Department of Social Justice also provides scholarship to weak SC / ST students. The annual income of parents whose children apply for scholarship should not exceed Rs. 96,000.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Students with disabilities belonging to SC / ST category who score 80 per cent in Class VIII are eligible to receive grant of Rs. 2500 as encouragement to continue higher studies. Similarly, disabled students of SC / ST category who score 60 percent in Class XII are eligible to receive Rs. 3000 as encouragement to continue higher studies in local colleges. Students with visual impairment belonging to SC / ST category and pursuing higher studies will be given reader allowance as listed below.</p>
<table class="plain">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Course</td>
<td>Reader Allowance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Graduation</td>
<td>Rs. 100</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Post Graduation</td>
<td>Rs. 125</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Technical</td>
<td>Rs. 150</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">1.4 Madhya Pradesh implements a scheme to aid opening of hostels for students with disabilities.<a href="#fn6" name="fr6">[6]</a> The responsibility of opening and maintaining the hostel rests with the educational institution. Hostels may be opened with a minimum of five students. Separate hostels should be established for boys and girls. In case of rented buildings, the educational institution is eligible to receive a maximum of Rs. 1500 towards rent.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Boarding facilities are available only to students of government and non government educational institutions who are in Class XI or above and have applied for scholarship post matriculation. Students applying for hostels should be domiciled in Madhya Pradesh and their total family income should not exceed Rs. 96,000 per annum.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">1.5 The Higher Primary Education Board has issued an order<a href="#fn7" name="fr7">[7] </a>stating that extra time of 20 minutes for every hour will be provided to students with disabilities in the upper limbs and students with cerebral palsy if attempting the exam without aid of a scribe. Extra time would not be granted to the students of the above category if using the services of a scribe. Extra time of 20 minutes per hour would be granted to students with visual impairment even if services of a scribe are used.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Skill Training and Employment</h3>
<p>2.1 The government provides financial assistance to persons with disabilities as encouragement for succeeding in the civil services examination of Madhya Pradesh.<a href="#fn8" name="fr8">[8]</a> Assistance will be provided in the following scale</p>
<table class="plain">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Level</td>
<td>Assistance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Passing preliminary examination</td>
<td>Rs. 20,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Passing main examination</td>
<td>Rs. 30,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Passing final selection</td>
<td>Rs. 20,000</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Applications have to be made to the Composite Coordinators of Social Justice of the respective districts within 30 days of declaration of results.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Social Security, Health, Rehabilitation & Recreation</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">3.1 The Department of Social Justice implements a scheme called Persons with Multiple Disabilities and Mental Retardation Grant 2009.<a href="#fn9" name="fr9">[9]</a> Persons with multiple disabilities and mental retardation who are above six years of age and receive a grant of Rs. 500 under this scheme are eligible to be covered by the Niramaya health insurance scheme being implemented by the National Trust. All beneficiaries will be insured by the district administration.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">3.2 Persons with disabilities in the age range of six to 18 years with disability of not less than 40 percent and belonging to BPL families are eligible for pension of Rs. 150 per month under the Overall Social Safety Pension Scheme.<a href="#fn10" name="fr10">[10]</a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">3.3 The government implements a scheme to encourage marriages for persons with disabilities by providing a grant of Rs. 25,000 for marriages where either the groom or the bride is disabled. For marriages where both the bride and groom are disabled, a grant of Rs. 50,000 is provided.<a href="#fn11" name="fr11">[11]</a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Individuals who are natives of Madhya Pradesh and who are non income tax payers are eligible to apply. The grant is available only for the first marriage of the disabled person. Applicants should be above 18 years of age in case of women and 21 years of age in case of men and should have a minimum disability of at least 40 per cent to be eligible.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">3.4 Persons with multiple disabilities or mental retardation who are above the age of six years and whose parents / guardians are below poverty line are eligible to apply for aid from the Department of Social Justice.<a href="#fn12" name="fr12">[12]</a> The grant-in-aid will be directly deposited in the bank account of the applicant. Applicants should fulfil the following eligibility criteria:</p>
<ul>
<li>Should be natives of Madhya Pradesh.</li>
<li>Should produce age proof stating that they are above six years of age that is issued by the town municipality, city corporations, town Panchayat or the grama Panchayat.</li>
<li>Should produce a disability certificate stating a minimum of 40 per cent disability</li>
<li>The bank account of the beneficiary should be a joint account with either parents or guardians and should be held in a nationalised bank, a co-operative bank or a regional rural bank.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">3.5 The government has enhanced The aid to beneficiaries from the aided voluntary organisations to Rs. 1000 per month.<a href="#fn13" name="fr13">[13]</a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">3.6 The government has issued an order providing disabled employees of the state government with travel allowance of Rs. 500 per month.<a href="#fn14" name="fr14">[14]</a></p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Accessibility</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">4.1 The Department of Information Technology has issued an order notifying all government departments to make their websites WCAG 2.0 compliant and use Unicode font in order to make all information accessible for persons with disabilities.<a href="#fn15" name="fr15">[15]</a></p>
<hr />
<p>[<a href="#fr1" name="fn1">1</a>]. http://www.pacsindia.org/hi/node/325.</p>
<p>[<a href="#fr2" name="fn2">2</a>]. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhya_Pradesh.</p>
<p>[<a href="#fr3" name="fn3">3</a>]. Department of Social Justice No. 1-3-36/2008/26-2 Dated: Bhopal, 24.11.2008.</p>
<p>[<a href="#fr4" name="fn4">4</a>]. Department of Social Justice Sl. F. 3-35-2008-20-2 Dated: Bhopal, 30.12.2009.</p>
<p>[<a href="#fr5" name="fn5">5</a>]. Department of Social Justice, Sr. No. 1-3-120/2007/26-2 Dated: Bhopal, 8.02.2008.</p>
<p>[<a href="#fr6" name="fn6">6</a>]. Department of Social Justice, No. 1-3-44/2008/26-2 Dated: Bhopal, 8.09.2008.</p>
<p>[<a href="#fr7" name="fn7">7</a>]. Higher Primary Education Board, Sl. No. 7 Vidyochith/2007 Dated: Bhopal, 8.01.2007.</p>
<p>[<a href="#fr8" name="fn8">8</a>]. Department of Social Justice No. 1-3-59/2008/26-2 Dated: Bhopal, 8.08.2006.</p>
<p>[<a href="#fr9" name="fn9">9</a>]. Department of Social Justice Sr. F 1897/2012/26-2 Dated: Bhopal, 10.09.2012.</p>
<p>[<a href="#fr10" name="fn10">10</a>]. Department of Social Justice No. F 2-87/2010/26-2 Dated: Bhopal, 25.06.2013.</p>
<p>[<a href="#fr11" name="fn11">11</a>]. Department of Social Justice No. 1-3-42/2008/26-2 Dated: Bhopal, 12.06.2008.</p>
<p>[<a href="#fr12" name="fn12">12</a>]. Department of Social Justice Sr. No. 1-3-40/2008 Dated: Bhopal, 18.06.2009.</p>
<p>[<a href="#fr13" name="fn13">13</a>]. Department of Social Justice No. 3-12/2013/126-2, Sr. No. 906/2013/26-2 Dated: Bhopal, 30.04.2013.<br /><br /></p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/the-madhya-pradesh-chapter'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/the-madhya-pradesh-chapter</a>
</p>
No publisheranandiAccessibility2013-11-07T08:51:38ZBlog EntryNational Resource Kit: The Lakshadweep Chapter (Call for Comments)
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-lakshadweep-chapter-call-for-comments
<b>The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Lakshadweep. </b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Culture is responsible for welfare of persons with disabilities in Lakshadweep. The union territory has an estimated population of <a class="external-link" href="http://www.socialjustice.nic.in/statewisedisabled.php">1678</a> persons with disabilities in a total population of <a class="external-link" href="http://www.census2011.co.in/census/state/lakshadweep.html">64,429</a> people. Lakshadweep implements two schemes under Skill Development & Employment, three schemes under Social Security, Health, Rehabilitation & Recreation and has notified authorities for disability Certification and certifying Organisations & Individuals for Persons with Disabilities.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/lakshadweep-chapter.pdf" class="internal-link">Click to download the full chapter</a> (PDF, 187 Kb)</p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-lakshadweep-chapter-call-for-comments'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-lakshadweep-chapter-call-for-comments</a>
</p>
No publisheranandiFeaturedAccessibility2014-02-20T10:00:32ZBlog EntryNational Resource Kit: The Jammu & Kashmir Chapter (Revised)
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-jammu-kashmir-call-for-comments
<b>The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Jammu and Kashmir</b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The Department of Social Welfare is responsible for the welfare of persons with disabilities in Jammu & Kashmir. The state has an estimated population of <a class="external-link" href="http://www.socialjustice.nic.in/statewisedisabled.php">3,02,670</a> persons with disabilities in a total population of <a class="external-link" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jammu_and_Kashmir">12,548,926</a> people.</p>
<hr />
<p>Click to <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/jammu-kashmir-chapter.pdf" class="external-link">download the full chapter</a> (PDF, 179 Kb)</p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-jammu-kashmir-call-for-comments'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-jammu-kashmir-call-for-comments</a>
</p>
No publisheranandiAccessibility2014-02-20T09:46:00ZBlog EntryNational Resource Kit: The Himachal Pradesh Chapter
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-himachal-pradesh-chapter
<b>The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Himachal Pradesh. </b>
<h3>Introduction</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment is responsible for the welfare of persons with disabilities in Himachal Pradesh. The state has an estimated population of <a class="external-link" href="http://www.socialjustice.nic.in/statewisedisabled.php">1,55,950</a> persons with disabilities in a total population of <a class="external-link" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himachal_Pradesh">6,856,509</a> people. The state has brought out a state policy for persons with disabilities and has issued three schemes under Education, four schemes under Skill Development & Employment, two schemes under Social Security, Health, Rehabilitation & Recreation and one scheme under Accessibility.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Click to <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/himachal-pradesh-chapter.pdf" class="internal-link">download the full chapter</a> (PDF, 198 Kb)</p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-himachal-pradesh-chapter'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-himachal-pradesh-chapter</a>
</p>
No publisheranandiAccessibility2014-02-20T09:24:02ZBlog EntryNational Resource Kit: The Himachal Chapter (Call for Comments)
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-himachal-pradesh-call-for-comments
<b>The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Himachal Pradesh. </b>
<h2>Executive Summary</h2>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Himachal Pradesh has issued a state policy for persons with disabilities to implement the provisions in the central laws. The government has brought out an integrated scheme for persons with disabilities in 2008 to implement certain sections of the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995. Through this scheme the government has made provisions for education, employment, training, health, rehabilitation and social protection for persons with disabilities.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">State Profile</h3>
<ul>
<li>Capital: Shimla</li>
<li>Population: 6,856,509<a href="#fn1" name="fr1">[1]</a></li>
<li>Population of Persons with Disabilities: 1,55,950</li>
<li>Literacy: 83.78%</li>
<li>HDI: 0.652 Ranked 3rd</li>
<li>Department: Department of Social Justice and Empowerment</li>
<li>Directorate: Directorate of SC, ST and Minority Affairs</li>
</ul>
<h3>Legal Provisions</h3>
<p>Himachal Pradesh has brought out a state policy for persons with disabilities to implement the provisions under the two central laws, namely:</p>
<ul>
<li>Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995 (Persons with Disabilities Act)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple disabilities Act 1998 (National Trust Act)</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government of Himachal Pradesh has passed an integrated scheme for persons with disabilities in 2008 to implement Section 25 (A), Section 25 (E), Section 26, Section 30 (D), Section 39, Section 38 (I) (a), Section 41 and Section 66 of the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995.<a href="#fn2" name="fr2">[2]</a> Through this scheme the government has created provisions for education, employment, training, health, rehabilitation and social protection for persons with disabilities.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">In order to elicit all relevant information related to persons with disabilities, the government has modified the Families Survey Register of ICDS to give an updated survey year on year. This is intended to help in understanding the nature and type of disabilities, educational and social status of families of persons with disabilities, employment status of disabled family members and the status of benefits availed under various scheme by persons with disabilities.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Accessibility</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The integrated scheme for persons with disabilities provides for awareness generation and orientation through awareness camps, seminars and workshops with an idea of creating sensitivity among policy makers and social workers regarding the requirements of persons with disabilities. It also aims to educate the masses regarding barrier free environment and create a pool of access auditors for creating free access to persons with disabilities in public places and buildings. The scheme provides funds for the workshops, seminars and awareness camps to be held at various state, district and block levels.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Education</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government provides scholarships to students with disabilities from Class I to post graduate level and for diploma / vocational / technical / professional education. Students with disabilities whose annual family income from all sources does not exceed Rs. 60,000 are eligible to apply in the prescribed format with copies of bonafide Himachal Pradesh domicile certificate, disability certificate issued by competent authority, annual progress report of the student for the last year from the educational institution and the income certificate of the family. Rates for the scholarships:</p>
<table class="plain">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Class</th> <th>Rate for day scholars (per month)</th> <th>Rate for hostellers (per month)</th>
</tr>
<tr style="text-align: right; ">
<td style="text-align: left; ">Class I to Class V</td>
<td>Rs. 150</td>
<td>Rs.300</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Class VI to Class VIII</td>
<td style="text-align: right; ">Rs. 200</td>
<td style="text-align: right; ">Rs.400</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Class IX – Class X</td>
<td style="text-align: right; ">Rs. 250</td>
<td style="text-align: right; ">Rs.500</td>
</tr>
<tr style="text-align: right; ">
<td>Senior Secondary</td>
<td style="text-align: right; ">Rs. 300</td>
<td>Rs.600</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BA / B Com / B Sc</td>
<td style="text-align: right; ">Rs. 350</td>
<td style="text-align: right; ">Rs.700</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BE / B Tech / MBBS / LLB</td>
<td style="text-align: right; ">Rs. 400</td>
<td style="text-align: right; ">Rs.800</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MA / M Com / M Sc / LL M</td>
<td style="text-align: right; ">Rs. 450</td>
<td style="text-align: right; ">Rs.900</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government provides three per cent reservations for students with disabilities in all the educational institutions under the regular budget and programmes of any of the government departments.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The state has set up special schools for children with visual impairment and hearing impairment at Sunder Nagar for girls and at Dali for boys under the DSJE and SPCCD respectively.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Employment & Training</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The state policy provides three per cent reservation in all state government posts from Class I to Class IV for persons with disabilities divided into one per cent each for persons with visual impairment, hearing impairment and orthopaedic disability. The policy further provides that employees with severe disability – 60 per cent or more – will be posted to stations of their choice as far as possible.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government of Himachal Pradesh offers vocational / technical / livelihood training to persons with disabilities in collaboration with nongovernmental organisations and industrial bodies to promote self employment among persons with disabilities. The ventures will be financed by government finance development corporations.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Persons with disabilities who fulfil the following criteria should respond to the government’s call for training programmes in the prescribed format: the applicant Should be a bonafide resident of HP, should be between the age of 18 to 45 years on the date of application, should have passed the minimum educational qualification as required for the particular training programme and the annual income of the family should not be more than Rs. 1,00,000.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">During the training, candidates will be provided a maximum assistance of rs. 1000 per month by the Department of SJE.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government has also made provisions to provide financial assistance in form of subsidy in addition to the loans being provided by the HP Minority Financial Development Corporation to persons with disabilities for encouraging self employment. Candidates should apply to the HP Minority Finance and Development Corporation. Subsidy payable will be 20 per cent of the project cost or Rs. 10,000 whichever is less.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Himachal Pradesh recognises and awards best employers of persons with disabilities and best employees with disabilities. One award of Rs. 25,000 with citation is given to an employer who fulfils the following conditions: employs maximum number of persons with disabilities within the organisation, provides barrier free access within the premises, offers equitable working conditions for persons with disabilities on par with the other employees and provides additional facilities like travel and housing for employees with disabilities. Three awards of Rs. 10,000 each are given along with citations to one employee with disability each in the categories of visual impairment, hearing impairment and orthopaedic disability. Candidates for the awards will be either nominated by their employers or by the Deputy Commissioner (Disabilities) or recommended by the DWO of their respective districts.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Health and Rehabilitation</h3>
<p>The integrated scheme for persons with disabilities creates provisions for early detection and prevention of disabilities through screening of children at regular intervals. The examination of children upto the age of six years will be carried out by Anganwadi workers while the examination of children upto 12 years will be undertaken by the Health and Family Department.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The scheme further provides for medical camps to be conducted to carry out regular checkups for persons with disabilities and certify their disabilities, recommend suitable aids and appliances for them and for the distribution of disability identity cards.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Social Protection</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The state policy for persons with disabilities provides three per cent reservation in all poverty alleviation schemes for persons with disabilities.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government provides marriage grants for persons with disabilities through its integrated scheme for marriages where either one or both parties are with disabilities. The scheme provides for a grant of Rs. 8000 for the marriage of a person who has a disability between 40 per cent and 74 per cent. It provides a grant of Rs. 15,000 for the marriage of a person with more than 75 per cent disability. Application for the grant is to be submitted in the prescribed format with copies of the birth certificate, bonafide domicile certificate for Himachal Pradesh, disability certificate issued by the district medical board and marriage registration certificate of the applicant along with an undertaking from the applicant that such a grant has not been received before.</p>
<table class="plain">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Category</th> <th>Notification No.</th> <th>Details</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>All</td>
<td>
<p>Department of Social Justice and Empowerment NO.SJF-C(10)-31/2006,<br />Dated Shimla-2</p>
</td>
<td>Integrated Scheme for Persons with Disabilities</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<ul>
</ul>
<hr />
<p>[<a href="#fr1" name="fn1">1</a>]. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himachal_Pradesh</p>
<p>[<a href="#fr2" name="fn2">2</a>]. Department of Social Justice and Empowerment No. SJF-C(10)-31/2006, Shimla - 2.</p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-himachal-pradesh-call-for-comments'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-himachal-pradesh-call-for-comments</a>
</p>
No publisheranandiAccessibility2013-11-07T06:15:57ZBlog EntryNational Resource Kit: The Gujarat Chapter (Call for Comments)
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/the-gujarat-chapter
<b>The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Gujarat.</b>
<h2>Executive Summary</h2>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment is responsible for the welfare of persons with disabilities in Gujarat. The state has an estimated population of 1,045,465<a href="#fn1" name="fr1">[1] </a>persons with disabilities in a total population of 60,439,692<a href="#fn2" name="fr2">[2]</a>people. Gujarat has issued two resolutions under General Entitlements, four schemes under Women & Children with Disabilities, three schemes under Education, one resolution under Skill Development & Employment and seven schemes under Social Security, Health, and Rehabilitation & Recreation.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">General Entitlements</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The office of the police commissioner of Surat has circulated guidelines within the department for handling persons with mental illness moving unescorted in public places.<a href="#fn3" name="fr3">[3] </a>The guidelines require that:</p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">The Police Inspector or senior Police Sub-inspector should directly deal with the person with mental illness.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">The details of the person should be entered in the records of the police station and a report made.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">The person with mental illness should be produced in the court of respective judicial magistrate with the report on the same day.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">If the person is ordered to be admitted in a mental hospital by the judicial magistrate, the person should be admitted to the facility immediately.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">In case of persons with mental illness who show excited or violent behaviour, the above process should be pursued with the help of the Forensic Science Department.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Women police officers should be present mandatorily in cases where women with mental illness are involved.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government has passed a resolution mandating the use of terms like disability and disabled while referring to persons with disabilities instead of terms like handicapped, physical handicap in all its official communication.<a href="#fn4" name="fr4">[4]</a></p>
<table class="plain">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Sr. No.</th><th>Notification No.</th><th>Details</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>The Office of the Police Commissioner, Surat<br />No. RB/Mentally Ill/4343/2010 Dated: 15.03.2010<br /></td>
<td>Guidelines to police while handling persons with mental illness</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Secretariat, Gandhi Nagar<br />Resolution No. apg/102010/337/chh-1 Dated: 30. 12. 2010<br /></td>
<td>Guidelines on official references to persons with disabilities</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Women and Children with Disabilities</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government of Gujarat provides assistance of Rs. 40,000 to widowed women with disabilities towards construction of a pukka house (brick, stone and cement house with terrace).<a href="#fn5" name="fr5">[5]</a> This assistance is available once only to women in the age group of 18 to 60 years. The upper limit of the grant is Rs. 50,000 for rural areas and Rs. 70,000 for urban areas. The government also provides grants to widowed women with disabilities in the categories of scheduled caste<a href="#fn6" name="fr6">[6]</a> and scheduled tribe separately.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Widowed women with disabilities fulfilling the following conditions are eligible to apply:</p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Should have a minimum of 40 per cent disability.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Should possess a plot of land for constructing the house.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Should have resided for at least five years in the area where the house is to be constructed.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Should not be in receipt of benefit under any other housing scheme and should give a written undertaking regarding the same.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Should submit a certificate from a competent authority showing the date of death of her husband.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Should possess a disability certificate and a disability identity card.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The Department of Panchayats and Rural Housing provides assistance for construction of residential units to widowed women with disabilities in rural Gujarat.<a href="#fn8" name="fr8">[8] </a>Under this scheme, assistance of Rs. 54,500 is provided to widowed women with disabilities. The grant also covers labour charges for construction of the residential unit.</p>
<table class="plain">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Sr. No.</th><th>Notification No.</th><th>Details</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.21/Chh-1 Dated: 07. 07. 2008<br /><br /></td>
<td>Grant for disabled widows for construction of house</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.22/Chh 1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008<br /></td>
<td>Grant for disabled widows belonging to scheduled caste for construction of house</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.20/Chh 1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008<br /><br /></td>
<td>Grant for disabled widows belonging to scheduled tribe for construction of house</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>Department of Panchayats and Rural Housing, Secretariat, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. prch/102009/819/1 Dated: 30. 06. 2011<br /></td>
<td>Grant for disabled widows for construction of residential unit</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Education</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">As the allowance provided by the central Integrated Education for the Disabled in Secondary Stage (IEDSS) scheme only covers students with disabilities studying in government secondary schools, the government of Gujarat provides additional scholarship for SC students with disabilities studying in Class IX and Class X in private unaided recognised schools. Students are eligible for allowances as listed below:</p>
<table class="plain">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Category of Scholarship</th><th>Amount</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Reader allowance for visually impaired students</td>
<td>Rs. 160 per month</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Transport allowance (applicable for day scholars)</td>
<td>Rs. 160 per month</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Escort allowance for day scholars with 80 per cent or more disabilities</td>
<td>Rs. 160 per month</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Helper allowance (any employee of the hostel willing to help students with 80 per cent or more orthopaedic disabilities)</td>
<td>Rs. 160 per month</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Coaching allowance for students with mental disabilities and mental health issues</td>
<td>Rs. 240 per month</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Applicants should fulfil the following requirements:</p>
<ul>
<li>Should present the disability certificate from the competent medical authority of the state government.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The total family income of parents or guardians should not exceed Rs. 2,00,000 per annum.</li>
</ul>
<p>The scholarship will be paid for a period of 10 months in an academic year.</p>
<p>Students with disabilities belonging to scheduled caste<a href="#fn10" name="fr10">[10]</a> or schedule tribe<a href="#fn11" name="fr11">[11] </a>whose parents / guardians have a maximum annual income of Rs. 50,000 are eligible to receive scholarship from the government of Gujarat.</p>
<table class="plain">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Sr. No.</th><th>Notification No.</th><th>Details</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. PMS/13/2012/405526/G Dated: 18. 06. 2013<br /><br /></td>
<td>Scholarship for disabled students in SC category in private unaided schools</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.9/Chh 1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008.<br /></td>
<td>Scholarship to disabled students in SC category</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.10/Chh 1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008<br /></td>
<td>Scholarship to disabled students in ST category</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Skill Development & Employment</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government of Gujarat has passed a resolution that a 100 number roster will be maintained to provide three per cent reservation for persons with disabilities in direct recruitment. The vacancies of numbers 34, 68 and 100 will be reserved for persons with disabilities.</p>
<table class="plain">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Sr. No.</th><th>Notification No.</th><th>Details</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar. Circular No. PVT/102012/138/ROSTER Dated: 18. 06. 2012.<br /><br /></td>
<td>Roster point system for direct recruitment to govt employment</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Social Security, Health, Rehabilitation and Recreation</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government provides financial assistance to persons with severe disabilities (80 per cent or more disability) jointly under the Sant Surdas Scheme of the state government and the central Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme.<a href="#fn13" name="fr13">[13]</a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Under these schemes, persons with severe disabilities in the age group of zero to 17 years are eligible to receive assistance of Rs. 200 per month. Persons with severe disabilities in the age group of 18 to 64 years are eligible to receive assistance of Rs. 400 per month (Rs. 200 under the state scheme and Rs. 200 under the central scheme).</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Persons with severe disabilities who are residents of Gujarat and who are below poverty line are eligible for assistance under this scheme.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Persons with disabilities living below poverty line and who are above 64 years of age are eligible to receive old age pension under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme.<a href="#fn14" name="fr14">[14] </a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government of Gujarat provides persons with disabilities receiving pension under the Sant Surdas Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme and Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme the option of receiving their pension in their bank accounts, post office accounts or on their doorstep through money orders.<a href="#fn15" name="fr15">[15]</a> Beneficiaries are required to indicate their preferred option to the payment officer in the prescribed format.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government of Gujarat provides financial assistance of Rs. 4000 to state government employees with orthopaedic disabilities towards purchasing of foldable wheelchair.<a href="#fn16" name="fr16">[16] </a>This assistance is provided once to all employees with disabilities.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Persons with disabilities whose income is less than Rs. 25,000 per annum and who fall in the age group of five to 50 years are eligible for assistance from the government for purchase and fitting of aids and appliances for rehabilitation, and for purchase of educationally and vocationally useful equipment.<a href="#fn17" name="fr17">[17] </a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">This assistance is provided separately to persons with disabilities belonging to the scheduled caste<a href="#fn18" name="fr18">[18]</a> and scheduled tribe<a href="#fn19" name="fr19">[19] </a>categories.</p>
<table class="plain">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Sr. No.</th><th>Notification No.</th><th>Details</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution NO. APG/102009/No. 9 to 14/Chh-1 Dated: 13. 08. 2008<br /><br /></td>
<td>Financial assistance to the severely disabled</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Secretariat, Gandhi Nagar Circular No. apg/102009/216(1)/chh-1 Dated: 31. 07. 2009<br /><br /></td>
<td>Financial assistance to disabled senior citizens</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG-102008-37-Chh.1 Dated: 13. 08. 2008<br /></td>
<td>Assistance to govt employees for purchase of folding wheelchair</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102009/216/Chh.1 Dated: 03. 11. 2009<br /></td>
<td>Option of receiving pension through money order</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.6/Chh.1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008<br /></td>
<td>Assistance for purchase and fitting of aids and appliances</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.7/Chh.1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008<br /></td>
<td>Assistance for purchase and fitting of aids and appliances to persons belonging to SC category</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.8/Chh.1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008<br /></td>
<td>Assistance for purchase and fitting of aids and appliances to persons belonging to ST category</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Accessibility</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government of Gujarat is yet to implement schemes and policies towards accessibility.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Certification</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The Social Security Department under the Social Justice and Empowerment Department issues disability identity cards for persons with disabilities with an income of not more than Rs. 2,50,000 per annum. Applicants should submit proof of income issued by the Namlatdar / Taluka Development Officer and two passport size photographs along with the application.<a href="#fn20" name="fr20">[20]</a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Employees with disabilities serving with the government or with government aided organisations may submit certificate of income issued by the state / central government offices, government aided organisations and, boards and corporations functioning under the governments or panchayats as proof of income.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Documents such as ration card, true copy of electricity bill, municipal tax bill or receipt of house tax from the gram Panchayat, driving licence or voter ID card may be presented as proof of residence.</p>
<table class="plain">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Sr. No.</th><th>Notification No.</th><th>Details</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Secretariat, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. apg/102007/1077/chh-1 Dated: 12. 05. 2008<br /><br /></td>
<td>Disability identity cards</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Schemes & Grants for Organisations & Individuals for Disabilities</h3>
<p>There are no specific grants or schemes for organisations or individuals operating in the field of disabilities.</p>
<h3>Disability Authorities</h3>
<p>Gujarat has two authorities responsible for the welfare of persons with disabilities:</p>
<ul>
<li>Social Justice and Empowerment Department</li>
<li>Commissioner for Disabilities.</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr1" name="fn1">1</a>]. http://www.socialjustice.nic.in/statewisedisabled.php.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr2" name="fn2">2</a>]. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gujarat.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr3" name="fn3">3</a>]. The Office of the Police Commissioner, Surat, No. RB/Mentally Ill/4343/2010 Dated: 15. 03. 2010.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr4" name="fn4">4</a>]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Secretariat, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. apg/102010/337/chh-1 Dated: 30. 12. 2010.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr5" name="fn5">5</a>]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.21/Chh-1 Dated: 07. 07. 2008.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr6" name="fn6">6</a>]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.22/Chh 1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr7" name="fn7">7</a>]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.20/Chh 1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr8" name="fn8">8</a>]. Department of Panchayats and Rural Housing, Secretariat, Gandhi Nagar. Resolution No. prch/102009/819/1 Dated: 30. 06. 2011.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr9" name="fn9">9</a>]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar. Resolution No. PMS/13/2012/405526/G Dated: 18. 06. 2013.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr10" name="fn10">10</a>]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar. Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.9/Chh 1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr11" name="fn11">11</a>]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar. Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.10/Chh 1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr12" name="fn12">12</a>]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar. Circular No. PVT/102012/138/ROSTER Dated: 18. 06. 2012.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr13" name="fn13">13</a>]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar. Resolution NO. APG/102009/No. 9 to 14/Chh-1 Dated: 13. 08. 2008.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr14" name="fn14">14</a>]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Secretariat, Gandhi Nagar. Circular No. apg/102009/216(1)/chh-1 Dated: 31. 07. 2009.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr15" name="fn15">15</a>]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar. Resolution No. APG/102009/216/Chh.1 Dated: 03. 11. 2009.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr16" name="fn16">16</a>]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar. Resolution No. APG-102008-37-Chh.1 Dated: 13. 08. 2008.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr17" name="fn17">17</a>]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar. Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.6/Chh.1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr18" name="fn18">18</a>]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar. Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.7/Chh.1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr19" name="fn19">19</a>]. Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sachivalay, Gandhi Nagar. Resolution No. APG/102007/N.B.8/Chh.1 Dated: 31. 03. 2008.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr20" name="fn20">20</a>]. Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Secretariat, Gandhi Nagar. Resolution No. apg/102007/1077/chh-1 Dated: 12. 05. 2008.</p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/the-gujarat-chapter'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/the-gujarat-chapter</a>
</p>
No publisheranandiAccessibility2014-01-08T07:01:33ZBlog Entry