The Government of India is implementing various schemes/programmes for the empowerment of persons with disabilities. The State-wise details of funds released during the year 2011-12 under the Scheme of Implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 (SIPDA) to make public buildings accessible to persons with disabilities is enclosed at Annexure.

          Grants-in-aid is released to State Governments/UTs, Universities, Non-Government Organizations etc. for creation of barrier free environment, providing assistive devices, special education, vocational training, pre-school programme, vocational rehabilitation centre and early intervention, through its various schemes/programmes. Special Employment Exchanges and Special Cells have also been set up for providing placement services. National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC) provides concessional credit for setting up income generating activities for self-employment. A scheme of Incentives to Employers in the Private Sector for providing Employment to the Persons with Disabilities has also been launched to provide the employer’s contribution for Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees State Insurance (ESI) for 3 years. A scheme of Inclusive Education for Disabled at Secondary State (IEDSS) is also implemented to cover disabled children in Class IX-XII with the aim to enable all students with disabilities including girls with disabilities to pursue secondary schooling in an inclusive environment. The Government is implementing Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) as main programme for universalizing elementary education for all children from 6-14 years of age. Its overall goals include universal access and retention, bridging of gender and social category gaps in education and enhancement of learning levels of children. Under this programme, Children with Special Needs (CWSN) are also covered. SSA provides Rs.3,000/- per child per annum as a budgetary norm. Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) which is one of the schemes of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) provides pension to BPL persons with severe or multiple disabilities between the age group of 18 to 59 years @ Rs.200 p.m. per beneficiary. 

          This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri D. Napoleon in a written reply to a question in  Lok Sabha today.

SKS

Annexure

Statement indicating amount of Grant-in-aid released to States under the Scheme of Implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 (SIPDA) during 2011-12