Analysis Of Yojana Magazine (May 2022): ”Empowering Diwyangjan”

Analysis Of Yojana Magazine
(May 2022)
”Empowering Diwyangjan”

Introduction

• As per Census 2011 in India, there are 2.68 crore Persons with Disabilities who constitute 2.21 percent of the total population of the country.
• Although “Disability” comes in the State List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, the Government of India has always played an active role in the field of disability.
• Disability at the Central level is one of the many important responsibilities of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

About DEPWD

• Keeping in view the seriousness and specific nature of the subject, a separate “Department of Disability Affairs” was set up within the Ministry on 12th May, 2012.
• Now, the department is renamed as “Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPWD)”.
• The Department envisions building an inclusive society in which equal opportunities are provided for the growth and development of divyangs so that they can lead productive, safe and dignified lives.

What has changed in recent years?

• In the last few years, the issues related to persons with Disabilities have been put at the forefront of government initiatives.
• Prime Minister Modi, with a view to changing social attitudes and recognizing the potential within them, addressed them as “Divyangjan”.
• Accordingly, the department was also renamed as “Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPWD)”.

Key features of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016

• The Act came into force on 19.04.2017.
• This is rights-based legislation unlike the PwD Act, 1995, which was welfare-based.
• Categories of Disabilities increased from 7 to 21.
• Reservation in Government jobs for Persons with Disabilities increased from 3% to 4%.
• Reservation in seats for students with disabilities in Govt./Govt. aided higher educational institutions increased from 3% to 5%.
• Chief Commissioner for PwDs and State Commissioners strengthened under the Act to ensure effective monitoring of the implementation of the Act.
• With a view to protecting the rights of PwDs punishment for various offences and violations of the provisions of the Act was introduced.
• There is a provision for a special Court in every district for faster adjudication of cases under the Act.

Key Schemes For Disabled In India?

Divyanjan Swavalamban Yojana
The purpose of Divyangjan Swavalamban Yojana is to make the concessional benefit available for the people who are specially abled as per the rules of the PwD Act, 2016.

Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS)
The government introduced the DDRS as one of the schemes for the disabled in India to help the specially-abled people perform the tasks which help in creating a better environment for them and also ensures that PwD gets similar opportunities to empower themselves like all the other people thus provide social justice and equity. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment funds DDRS which is available for all the listed institutions and organizations. This scheme has been established under The Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995.

Assistance for Disabled Persons (ADIP)
ADIP scheme was made to help disabled people to purchase various accessories to help them in their daily life. This scheme was formulated with the main objective to assist the PwD to get the latest and enhanced products that help them to have a more fruitful life, it improves their physical abilities, increases their social acceptance thus improves their overall mental health. The National Institutes under this ministry, ALIMCO, and NGOs help in implementing this scheme.

Accessible India Campaign
Accessible India Campaign which is also known as Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan was launched by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) across the entire nation to provide the PwDs with universal accessibility. Following are its important parts-

• Build Environment Accessibility
• Transportation System Accessibility
• Information and Communication Eco-System Accessibility

Some new Initiatives 

• For awareness generation, an initiative, ‘छु लेआसमान’ is being pursued in association with Doordarshan,
• Formation of CPMU/DSU for monitoring purposes.
• Organization of Divya Kala Shakti event at regional level.
• Holding of exhibitions on innovative and research-based Aids and Assistive Devices, besides holding general exhibitions on Aids and Assistive Devices.
• To organize National Awards for PwDs for the year 2021 and 2022 as per the revised guidelines approved by the MHA.
• Centre for Disability Sports at Shillong under consideration.
• National University for Divyangjans to be set up at Kamrup in Assam.
• 6 more Cross-Disability Early Identification and Intervention Centres (CDEICs) at 6 Composite Regional Centres for Persons with Disabilities(CRCs) will be set up during 2022-23.

Conclusion

There is a constant need for creating an environment for Divyangjans to thrive and excel. They do not need our sympathy, they rightfully deserve every opportunity to develop to their full potential.

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