The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, marked International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024 with launch of 16 groundbreaking initiatives to empower Divyangjan across India. Through these initiatives, the Department aim to ensure equal opportunities, accessibility and empowerment for every Divyangjan. Widespread awareness has been done through print, electronic, digital and social media platforms to ensure that Divyangjan across India including those in remote or underserved areas are informed about these initiatives.

 

List of Initiatives:

1. Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan: An online platform for empanelment of accessibility auditors for built environments was introduced, reflecting the government's commitment to creating inclusive infrastructure
2. Sugamya Bharat Yatra: A unique initiative in partnership with the Association for Persons with Disabilities, where Divyangjan will assess the accessibility of public spaces using the AI-enabled ‘Yes to Access’ app.
3. Pathways to Access – Part 3 Compendium: The third installment of the series highlights key government documents on employment, financial services and healthcare for persons with disabilities, empowering them with knowledge and access to resources.
4. High-Power Spectacles: Developed by CSIR-CSIO, these glasses cater to individuals with low vision, offering superior optical clarity and improving quality of life.
5. Divyasha E-Coffee Table Book: ALIMCO’s e-book, launched to commemorate its 50- year journey, showcases inspiring stories and achievements in providing assistive devices to Divyangjan.
6. Kadam Knee Joint: An indigenous innovation developed by IIT Madras and SBMT, offering enhanced mobility and durability, launched as a major leap in assistive technology.
7. Awareness Generation and Publicity Portal: A digital platform for seamless application under the Awareness Generation and Publicity Scheme was inaugurated to enhance transparency and efficiency.
8. Accessible Storybooks: In collaboration with NIEPVD and NBT, 21 accessible books in Braille, audio and large print formats were launched to promote inclusive education.
9. Standard Bharti Braille Code: A draft for standardized Braille scripts in 13 Indian languages was introduced for public consultation, ensuring consistency and compatibility with Unicode standards.
10. Braille Books Portal: An online submission portal for creating Braille books was unveiled, fostering inclusive education.
11. MoU with Infosys BPM: A significant partnership to enhance employment opportunities for Divyangjan through the PM DAKSH portal’s Divyangjan Rozgar Setu initiative.
12. Employability Skills Book: Released in 11 Indian languages, this book bridges the gap between education and employment for Divyangjan, promoting economic independence.
13. Infosys Springboard Skill Programme: Infosys Springboard in collaboration with Yunikee offered courses to help deaf learners across India to develop skills across various fields and acquire marketable abilities.
14. Google Extension for Persons with Hearing Impairment: SignUp Media and Yunikee partnered to provide robust, reliable, accessible source of sign language communication in entertainment, information and educational media for the Deaf community in India in accessing entertainment and other video content.
15. E-Sanidhya Portal: Tata Power Community Development Trust and NIEPID, Secunderabad developed Tata E-Sanidhya Neuro-Diversity Platform as a specialized online and offline (digital) service designed to assist individuals with neuro-diversity conditions, particularly those affected by autism.
16. Computer-Based Indian Intelligence Test by NIEPID, Secunderabad: NIEPID has developed an indigenous Indian Test of Intelligence, with the key strengths in its cultural relevance and sensitivity. The data from 4,070 children across different parts of India ensures that the test represents the Indian population accurately.

 

The chapter IX of the RPwD Act 2016 provides for registration of institutes like NGOs, etc. that are working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities. It further states that the appropriate Government may within the limits of their economic capacity and development, grant financial assistance to registered institutions to provide services and to implement the schemes and programmes across the country including rural & semi-urban areas, in pursuance of the provisions of the said Act. Most of the initiatives launched are in collaboration with private sector and Non-Governmental Organizations to create an inclusive environment for Persons with Disabilities in the country. Such initiatives include launch of better aids and appliances for use of Divyangjan, MoUs with private companies to enhance employment opportunities for divyangjan, sharing codes for enhancing accessibility and Accessible Learning Materials etc.

These 16 initiatives have been launched to ensure equal opportunities, accessibility and empowerment for every Divyangjan and to create an inclusive environment for Persons with Disabilities in the country. Periodic review and regular follow-ups with the stakeholders are done by the Department for holistic improvement towards the empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. To address identified gaps, Department is focused on strict policy implementation and enforcement, alongside strengthening monitoring mechanisms.

The Department launched National Disability Information Helpline Service (NDIHS) on Short Code-14456 in January 2024. The helpline provides round-the-clock telephonic assistance in English and Hindi through an Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) and call attendant support during working hours. NDIHS provides information about aids and assistive devices, Unique Disability ID (UDID) services, educational and economic empowerment programmes for persons with disabilities (PwDs), benefits, and concessions under Government schemes etc. Around 65,000 persons have been assisted through the helpline so far.

This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT, SHRI B.L. VERMA, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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VM

(Lok Sabha US Q426)

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