(a) the total number of differently abled people and children in the country, State-wise;
(b) the total number of differently abled people engaged in gainful employment;
(c) the total number of differently abled graduates in the country;
(d) whether the Government is taking steps for the welfare of differently abled citizens including generation of employment opportunities for them; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI KRISHANPAL GURJAR)
(a) As per Census 2011, the number of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and Children with Disabilities (age group of 0-19 years), State-wise is at Annexure.
(b) As per Census 2011, there are 98 lakh workers with disabilities.
(c) As per Census 2011, about 5% of the total population of person with disabilities are graduates and above.
(d) and (e) The Government enacted Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 which provides various rights and entitlements for PwDs. It also provides for not less than 4% reservation in Govt. vacancies for persons with benchmark disabilities (i.e. disability of 40% or more). The Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Govt. through various schemes & programmes for empowerment of PwDs such as:
Deen Dayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) under which grant-in-aid is provided to NGOs/voluntary organisations for projects relating to rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, aimed at enabling persons with disabilities to reach their optimal, physical, sensory, intellectual, psychiatric or social functional level.
Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) under which assistance is provided to poor persons with disabilities in procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances that can promote their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation by reducing the effects of disabilities and enhancing their economic potential. The scheme also has a provision to provide cochlear implant to eligible children upto 5 years of age at a cost of up to Rs.6.00 lakh per child.
Scholarship schemes under which the Government provides scholarships for students with disabilities (under 18) such as Pre-matric (for classes IX & X), Post-matric (from class XI up to Post Graduate degree/diploma level), Top Class Education (Post graduate degree/diploma in notified Institutes), National Fellowship (M.Phil and Ph.D courses), National Overseas Scholarship (for Overseas education at P.G./Doctorate level).
Skill Development: In March, 2015, Government launched the National Action Plan for Skill Training of persons with disabilities to enhance their scope of employment.
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