Top 10 Government Schemes For Disabled Persons In India

For Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in India, opportunities to obtain education, healthcare, means of mobility and employment can be quite difficult. To deal with these concerns, the government has rolled out numerous schemes that seek to assist and empower PwDs. These efforts seek to promote the paradigm of inclusion, provision of monetary support, vocational advancement, and rehabilitation for self-dependence and equal status of PwDs in society.

This guide aims to highlight 10 key welfare schemes that have been framed for persons with disabilities (PwDs), their coverage, eligibility criteria and procedures to apply.

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What Is PwD?

Individuals with Disabilities are referred to as PwDs or Persons with Disabilities. PwDs is one of the classifications which is used for Individuals who encounter issues in day-to-day activities due to physical, girdle, sensory, or cognitive mental issues. The term disability is defined under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 as comprising 21 different types including autism, blindness, cerebral palsy, hearing disorder, and mental disabilities.

Government Intervention To Improve The Lives Of PwDs

As a part of its welfare measures the Government of India has launched several schemes which seek to aid Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). These government schemes provide for measures such as financial assistance, skill enhancement, education as well as health care to empower and integrate the disabled into society. Some of the government programmes aimed at enhancing the living conditions of disabled people include but are not confined to the following:

• Financial Assistance: Old age pensions, grants, and other allowances.

• Healthcare Facility: Free Treatment, insurance protection, and DME.

• Training: Skills and trades which could lead to gainful employment.

• Availability: Better public facilities and modes of transport.

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10 Welfare Schemes for PwDs

The Indian government provides a range of central government schemes for Persons With Disability (PwDs). These schemes cover housing, healthcare, financial assistance, vocational training, and daycare services. Below are 10 important schemes aimed at empowering PwDs:

1. GHARAUNDA

Objective:

GHARAUNDA seeks to create a direct and caring environment for persons with disabilities. The programme’s focus is to provide a provision of shelter whereby the residents are offered medical care, treated and vocationally rehabilitated to enhance independent functioning and self-reliance. The effort is to create an environment which encourages the growth of disabled individuals in a secure and positive setting, thus allowing them to increase self-development and expand their social inclusion.

Eligibility:

• Persons with Disabilities who are 18 years and above.

• Disabilities include Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral palsy or Intellectual Disabilities sometimes referred to as Mental Retardation.

Application Process:

The applicants can choose between the following methods to submit their applications:

• Visit the nearest GHARAUNDA centres and submit application forms directly.

• Use the Official National Trust website to apply online.

2. NIRAMAYA (Health Insurance Scheme)

Objective:

The NIRAMAYA scheme caters to health insurance worth one lakh rupees to disabled individuals. This is an all-purpose insurance cover which includes routine medical, hospitalisation, therapeutic and surgical procedures ensuring that the PwDs and their families can afford and receive health care service of a reasonable quality while being financially safeguarded. The govt scheme affords scope for beneficiaries with prevalent conditions as well.

Eligibility:

• Persons qualified with a certified disability.

• A disability certificate issued by the competent authority is necessary.

Application Process:

• The beneficiaries need to submit their disability certificate and other relevant documents to the specified centres.

• Make an insurance payment ranging from 250 to 500 Rupees according to their classification(BPL or non-BPL).

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3. Vikaas (Day Care Scheme)

Objective:

The primary aim of the Vikaas scheme is to meet the personal care and diversion needs of persons with disabilities (PwDs) who are 10 years and older. This is accomplished with the provision of therapy, basic education and training in practical day-to-day life skills. The goal is to improve their functional ability, social skills and overall growth. In addition, the project aims to assist the caregivers by ensuring that the PwDs are busy with meaningful work throughout the day.

Eligibility:

• PwDs above 10 years of age.

• Applicable to individuals diagnosed with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, or Multiple Disabilities.

Application Process:

• The interested families should approach the designated Vikaas centres to enrol their wards and will be further directed concerning the procedures.

4. Samarth (Respite Care Scheme)

Objective:

Samarth aims to supply respite care services in group homes to People who have Disabilities (PwDs) falling below the poverty line or Low-Income Groups, in particular single-parent families. The government programme in concept does allow the provision of quality care, ushers housing, nutrition, health and a decent active life. It perceived the primary aim of promoting the well-being of both people with disabilities and their infrequent caregivers by safeguarding the physical well-being of the disabled in a friendly environment.

Eligibility:

• People with Disabilities with a diagnosis of Autism or Cerebral Palsy.

• The families need to belong to the BPL or LIG category.

Application Process:

• The families are required to go to the nearest Samarth centres along with requisite documents, which include proof of disability and income.

5. Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme

Objective:

The Supported Living Fund enables NGOs rehabilitation work for persons with disabilities. Such support enables NGOs to set up and operate special schools, vocational training centres, therapy units and similar facilities. The objective is to enable PwDs through education, skill development and health care services to live proudly as they deserve to live.

Eligibility:

• Non-profit organisations (NGOs) registered under the Societies Registration Act for a minimum of 2 years.

• The organisation must be active in the field of rehabilitation services for PwDs.

Application Process:

• All NGOs interested in this programme have to register on the NGO Darpan portal.

• The application along with supporting documents has to be filled out and submitted online for evaluation.

6. Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme

Objective:

This particular government yojana aims at providing a restricted amount which ranges from ₹300-to ₹500 paid every month to persons who have extreme disabilities. This type of scheme becomes particularly useful for such persons as it provides them with at least some basic standard of living.

Eligibility:

• People with Disabilities in the age range of 18-79 years.

• People have an overall disability of 80% or more.

• The applicant must belong to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family.

Application Process:

• The application can be made through the NSAP portal or UMANG application.

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7. ADIP Scheme

Objective:

The Scheme of Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids /Appliances (ADIP Scheme) has been introduced to help Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) through the provision of modern aids and appliances like prostheses, wheelchairs, hearing aids etc. These aids help the individual to overcome physical barriers and provide them with better mobility and significant improvement in their standard of living.

Eligibility:

• Persons with disabilities who are Indian Citizens and have at least 40% disability.

• The monthly family income of the applicant should be less than ₹30,000.

Application Process:

• The applications can be filed online through the ADIP portal along with relevant documents like income certificates and disability certificates.

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8. BADHTE KADAM

Objective:

BADHTE KADAM works to create a positive attitude towards people with disabilities (PwDs) in society. It leads new campaigns, organises outreach programmes, and hosts events to raise awareness about disabilities. The aim is to clear misconceptions, highlight the abilities of PwDs, and celebrate their achievements.

Eligibility:

• Under this scheme, registered Organisations (ROs) under the National Trust Act can join and organise events.

Application Process:

• Eligible organisations can apply for this scheme through the National Trust website.

9. Welfare Schemes for Persons with Disabilities

Objective:

This scheme ranges from the following perks which include:

• Nondiscrimination policies for PwDs.

• Concessional travel passes in travel.

• Disability scholarships for needy students.

• Marriage funds for disabled married couples.

• The goal of the program is to enhance the living standards of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in more than one dimension of their social and economic welfare.

Eligibility:

• Individuals should possess a current and valid disability certificate.

• Additional criteria such as BPL status or income limits may apply depending on the specific benefit.

Application Process:

• Such applications should be forwarded to the district-level welfare offices responsible for such welfare schemes.

10. SAHYOGI (Care Associate Training Scheme)

Objective:

SAHYOGI’s target is to convey education to Care Associates who are going to be helping persons with disabilities. It trains persons with the relevant knowledge and skills which enable them to deliver proper care and support to persons with disabilities. This not only helps in generating employment for the caregivers but also ensures that the caregivers provide professional care to persons with disabilities to uplift their standard of living.

Eligibility:

• At least 8th-grade educated.

• Young adults, between 18 to 35 years of age.

Application Process:

• Applicants can apply at specific centres providing SAHYOGI training by producing the required educational and identity proof.

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What More Can Be Done?

Even though these schemes are helpful, additional efforts are required to support Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). Raising awareness and enhancing the availability of services can substantially change the situation. Here are some suggestions for further improvement:

• Campaigns to raise awareness about programs and modules.

• Enhance the level of accessibility of public facilities trade services, and transport.

• Make regular monitoring of the programs about their sufficiency, transparency and effectiveness.

• Develop further skill-oriented training programs.

Government Sources

National Trust

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment