Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, would host the prestigious National Awards for Empowering Persons with Disabilities, in New Delhi tomorrow, to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024. President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest and present the National Awards to 33 exemplary individuals, institutions, and organizations for their outstanding contributions to empowering persons with disabilities.

The event will also witness the gracious presence of Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, along with Ministers of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale and Shri B.L. Verma. Every year on 3^rd December, the DEPwD recognizes confers the National Awards to honour individuals, organizations, NGOs, and State/ District/ UT administrations that have displayed exceptional commitment and achievements in the disability sector. The event not only celebrates the stories of struggle and success of persons with disabilities but also underscores the message of empowerment, inclusion, and equality as the pillars of true progress.

The National Awards 2024 will be presented in two major categories with multiple subcategories:

1. National Awards for Individual Excellence

• Best Person with Disabilities
• Outstanding Persons with Disabilities
• Best Child with Disabilities (Male/Female)
• Best Individual Working for Disability Empowerment
• Best Rehabilitation Professional or Worker in the Disability Sector
• Best Research/Innovation/Product Development in Disability Empowerment

2. National Awards for Institutional Excellence

• Best Institution Working for Disability Empowerment (Private Organizations, NGOs)
• Best Employer for Persons with Disabilities (Government/PSUs/Private)
• Best Placement Agency for Persons with Disabilities
• Best State/UT/District for Implementation of Accessible India Campaign
• Best Accessible Transport/ICT Solutions (Private/Government)
• Best State/UT/District in Implementing RPWD Act and Schemes for Persons with Disabilities
• Best State Disability Commissioner under the RPWD Act, 2016
• Best Organization for Rehabilitation Professionals Development

Applications for the National Awards 2024 were invited via the National Awards Portal (www.awards.gov.in) from June 15 to August 15, 2024. The department received a remarkable 1,886 applications, comprising 1,704 in individual categories and 182 in institutional categories.

On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar would also unveil 16 transformative initiatives aimed at enriching the lives of persons with disabilities. These initiatives span inclusivity, innovation, and technology, reinforcing the department’s commitment to empowerment.

Key Initiatives:

1. Launch of ‘Kadam Knee Joint’ in collaboration with IIT Madras and SBMT Bengaluru.
2. Introduction of high-power spectacles developed by CSIO-CSIR, Chandigarh.
3. Release of ‘Divyasha’ e-Coffee Table Book by ALIMCO, Kanpur.
4. Opening applications for the Accessible Built Environment Auditors Panel.
5. MoU between Association for Persons with Disabilities (APD) and PwDs for ‘Sugamya Bharat Yatra.’
6. Launch of ‘Pathways to Access: Part 3.’
7. Introduction of an Awareness Creation and Promotion Portal.
8. Release of 21 accessible storybooks for visually impaired children in collaboration with NBT and NIEPVD, Dehradun.
9. Finalization of the Standard Indian Braille Code.
10. Launch of the ‘Braille Book Portal.’
11. Employment MoU with Infosys BPM Ltd.
12. Employability Skills book for PwDs in 11 Indian languages
13. Infosys Springboard Skill Programme
14. Sign-up Google Extension for Persons with Hearing Impairment
15. E-Sanidhya Portal by Tata Power Community Development Trust & NIEPID
16. Computer-Based Test on Indian Intelligence Test by NIEPID

These initiatives are poised to transform the landscape of inclusive education, technology, and employment, paving the way for a more empowered and self-reliant future for persons with disabilities. The celebration will bring together representatives from government and non-governmental organizations, experts, and diverse stakeholders. It aims to inspire societal change and reaffirm the vision of an inclusive society.

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VM