(a) whether the Government has taken or proposes to take steps to include persons suffering from serious diseases like cancer, heart diseases, diabetes and renal diseases (dialysis) in the list of disabilities;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI KRISHANPAL GURJAR)
(a) to (c) The Schedule of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act, 2016) recognizes the following as specified disabilities:
1. Locomotor disability including leprosy cured, cerebral palsy, dwarfism, muscular dystrophy and acid attack victims.
2. Visual impairment ( blindness and low vision)
3. Hearing impairment (deaf and hard of hearing)
4. Speech and language disability
5. Intellectual disability including specific learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder.
6. Mental Illness
7. Disability caused due to –
(i) Chronic neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, parkinson’s disease
(ii) Blood disorder (haemophilia, thalassemia and sickle cell disease)
8. Multiple disabilities including deaf-blindness.
Standing High Powered Inter-Department Committee constituted by the Ministry for the purpose of processing representations for inclusion of new disabilities considered representations regarding inclusion of cancer, type I diabetes, polycystic kidney diseases etc. as specified disabilities in its meeting held on 10.01.2018 and opined that there is a clear distinction between disability and medical condition. The RPwD Act, 2016 mainly focuses on disability. Any person suffering from such disease conditions, if in the long term, develops any of the above specified disabilities is already covered within the ambit of the said Act. The High Powered Committee recommended not to include any of these medical conditions as specified disability.
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