Question : Welfare and Rehabilitation of PwDs

(a) the present status of the Schemes/ projects being implemented for the welfare and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities/physically and mentally challenged persons in the country, State/ UT-wise;

(b) whether the Government has successfully implemented these schemes for the welfare of persons with disabilities/ physically and mentally challenged persons;

(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d) whether the Government has made any assessment of these schemes, if so, the details and the outcome thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI KRISHANPAL GURJAR)

(a) to (c) Relief to the persons with disabilities is a State subject by virtue of entry ‘9’ of the State List of the Constitution of India. However, the Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments for empowerment of persons with disabilities.

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) implements the following major schemes for the welfare and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities/physically and mentally challenged persons in the country:

(i) Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS),
(ii) Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/Appliances Scheme (ADIP),
(iii) National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs),
(iv) Scholarships for Students with Disabilities,

Details of these schemes and State/UT-wise status are at Annexure.

In addition, National Trust, a statutory body set up in 2000 under the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999 runs various schemes and programmes ranging from early intervention for children upto 10 years to residential centres for adults with severe disabilities.

The National Trust has set up 30 Disha (Early Intervention and School Readiness schemes) centres, 33 Vikaas (Day Care scheme) centres, 41 Disha-Cum-Vikaas (Day Care centres), 10 Samarth (Respite Care scheme) centres, 20 Gharaunda (Group Home for Adults scheme) centres, 12 Samarth-Cum-Gharaunda (Residential Care Scheme) Centres in which 3198 persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities are being benefitted. In addition, 174853 persons with these disabilities are covered through Niramaya–Health Insurance schemes being run by the Trust.

(d) The National Trust has made assessment of its schemes through National Productivity Council and Quality Council of India. Both the agencies have praised the schemes and mentioned that these schemes are beneficial for persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities.
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