Block

Blo
ock IV
IV
Professional Ethics, Policies and Acts
UNIT 13 PROFESSIONAL ETHICS* Professional Ethics

Structure
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Public Health Policy and Practice
13.2.1 Public Health Policy and Practice and Persons with Disability
13.2.2 India’s initiatives in Public Health Policy Creation

13.3 Status of Health of Persons with Disabilities in India

13.4 Barriers to Accessing Healthcare
13.5 Disability, Ethics and Public Health Policies
13.5.1 Immunization
13.5.2 Interventions for Rehabilitation
13.5.3 Education, Vocational Training for Emp
Employment
ployment as a Rehabilitation Initiative
13.5.4 Government Initiatives Towards Rehabilitation
Rehab
bilitattion

13.6 Awareness
Awa
are
r nesss and
nd T
Training
r in
raining
13.7 Summ
m ar
mm aryy
Summary
13.8
.8 Keyw
worrds
Keywords
13
3.9
13.9 Revi
viiew
e Q
Review uesttio
ons
Questions
13
3.100 Refe
13.10 ere
r nc
n es and Fu
References urther
er Re
Further eading
ng
Reading

13.1
13.1 INTRODUCTION
INTRO
ODUCTION
In UUnit
nitt 2,
ni 2, def
definitions
efin
fin
init
itio
ions
ns ooff Pers
Persons
rson
sons wi
withth Disab
Disabilities
abilities hhave
ab ave
ve bbeen
eenn ddiscussed
ee isc
sccusse
usse
sedd in
great
gr detail.
reaat deta
tail
ail
il.. Th most
Thee mo
m st ppopular
opul
op definitions
ulaar def
ul fin Persons
iniitions of Pe
P rsonss wi
with Disabilities
th D issab
abillities
it s us
usedd iin
n
India co
come
ome
m from the h U UNCRPD
NCRPD PDD 22007
007 and the RPR
RPDA
DA 2016. A ARTICLE
RTIC CLE 1 of thee
CRPD states:: ““Persons
Pers
Pe rson
onss wi
with disabilities include those who have long-term
physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which when interacting
with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in
society on an equal basis with others” (United Nations, 2016). Thus, there is
stress on the environmental barriers that render a person disabled by
preventing (or limiting) those with impairments from exercising their rights
to participate fully in society. Inaccessible buildings, roads and transport
systems, and the lack of assistive devices, can pose as barriers to participating
in education and training, employment, and family and community life, as
can negative attitudes, low expectations, and laws and institutions that do not
support inclusion. The CRPD approach broadens the role of policy to create
inclusive environments where people, regardless of their impairments, can
fully participate in society, which is a basic human right (United Nations,
2016).

_____________________
*Nandini Ghosh, Assistant Professor, Institute of Development Studies, Kolkata 273
Professional Ethics, The CRPD approach to disability is similar to that of the International
Policies and Acts
Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), the WHO
framework for measuring health and disability at both individual and
population levels. The ICF defines disability as “…an umbrella term for
impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions. It denotes the
negative aspects of the interaction between an individual (with a health
condition) and that individual’s contextual factors (environmental and
personal factors).” The ICF is not a measurement tool, but rather a guide to
develop statistics and indicators in a way consistent with the CRPD approach.
On the basis of the current theoretical and legislative models of disability,
there is general agreement that given the person's level of physical, mental, or
emotional functioning, the disablement process is associated with the nature
of the interaction a person has with all aspects of his or her environment. That
in turn can affect the level of social participation the person experiences
(Altman, 2014). Although disability can be attributed to the impairment or
physical/mental
p y outcome caused by y a medical condition, it is also a social
results
construct that resul u ts ffrom
ul rom
ro m the social and physical environment in which a
person lives their life. T Therefore,
herefore, it is necessary to examine the complete
process
p
pr associated
ocess assoociat
iatted wwith development
ithh thee deevelopm disability.
mentt off disissabilitty.
y Thehee ddisability
i abil
is i it
ili y pprocess,
roccess,
which
wh
whic
hic
ich may start
y star with
rt wi
w th a ddisease, birth
iseeasee, bir h ddefect,
irt accident
effect,, or acc cideent aalso includes
lsoo incclul des the
personal
peersonnal
a and environmental
nd env o meentaal ccharacteristics
viron hara
racter associated
erristiics asso ociatted wi t tthe
with individual.
h ind
he divid iduual.

13.22 PUBLIC
PUBL
LIC
C HEALTH
HEALTH POLICY
POLIICY AND
AND PRACTICE
PRACTIC
CE
Puubl
Public
b ic hea
heath
ath cann bbee define
defined
nedd as thehe sscience
cien
ciencee aand
nd tthe
hee aart
rtt ooff pr
ppreventing
even
ev enti
t ngg ddisease,
issea
easee,
proolonnging
prolonging ng lifee anaand
d prom mottin
promotingingg phphys
ysicall hhealth
ys
physical ealt
ea lthh an
lt and ef effi
fici
cien
ci ency tthrough
en
efficiency hrou
hr ough
ou gh
organized
or
rga
gani community
n zeed comm
ni mmun efforts
nity effo
ort h ssanitation
rts in the
he anit
an ion off tthe
i attio
it he eenvironment,
nvir
nv iron
ir onnment nt,, th
nt control
thee co
contn ro
roll
of community
com
mmum nity infections,
ty inf fections, the education of the individual in principles of
personal
persononaal hyg
on hygiene,
y iene, the orga
yg organization
ganiizat
ga on ooff me
zation medical
medi d ca
di cal an
andd nunursing
nurs rsin
rs services
ingg se
in rviccess ffor
serv
rv or tthe
he
early
earl
ea rly
rl diagnosis
y diag preventive
agnosis andd preven
ag entive
en ve ttreatment
reat
re atme
atmennt ooff ddisease,
me ise asee, aand
seas
se nd tthehee ddevelopment
evel
ev ellopmement ooff
me
the mamachinery
m which
chinery wh hich will ll eensure
ure to eevery
nsur
ur very indindividual
nddiv
ividid
duaal in n thehe ccommunity
ommmu unity a
standard
stan
st a dard of living adequate for the maintenance of health (Winslow, 1920,
quoted Lewis & MacPherson, 2008). With the internationalization of public
health policies, the founding of the World Health Organization in 1948 and
the creation of a ‘new public health’ strategy from the 1980s, the
governments can now be held accountable for the health of their population
and not just the health services they have provided (Kickbusch, 2003 quoted
in Lewis & MacPherson, 2008). Public Health and Public Policy are
conjoined, not just at the local level, the regional or national levels but also
internationally, through various global initiatives, international donors and
aid agencies as well as various non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

13.2.1 Public Health Policy and Practice and Persons with

Disability
The United Nations has estimated that an estimated 70 million or more
persons with disabilities in India face problems in accessing basic and
specialized health care services. Poverty and disability often form a vicious
274
circle, especially in India where about 53% of people with disabilities cannot Professional Ethics
afford healthcare (James, et al., 2019). In addition to the financial barriers for
persons with disabilities, there is a general problem of qualitatively poor
healthcare services across the country. While the Central Government and
State Governments in India have introduced several heath schemes for the
needs and assistance of the disabled, these do not ensure that their rights to
appropriate and adequate healthcare is met.

Human rights theorists have consistently held the view that right to health is
closely related to other socio-economic rights as well which would lead to the
realization of an adequate standard of living (Karna, 1999). The right to
education and employment also become meaningless if health care systems
are not adequate for persons with disabilities. Health thus, is not only linked
to well-being but also as freedom or absence from illness giving a person the
ability to realise their full potential. A renewed importance given to right to
life and health pushed the development of human rights in modern
democratic or mature societies. The health off the ppopulation
opulation is an important
issue in public policy discourse which deter determined
rmineed tthe
he development of the
eentire
entire society.

13.2.2
13.2.
.2 Ind
India’s
dia’s Ini
Initiatives
itiatives iin
n Pub
Public
blic He
Health
ealth
hPPolicy
ollicyy Cre
Creation
eattion
n
The im
The importance
mport rttance
c of ensuring ppublic
ce ubbli
l c heal
health
alth as a bbasicasi
sicc prer
prerequisite
req
e uisitte ooff a
functioning
fun
fu nctiooningg de democracy
emo
mocraccy wa wass acce
w accepted
ceptede by Jawa
ed Jawaharlal
w harlal N Nehru
ehru
eh r aand
ru nd tthe
he Indian
National
Natio
Na Congress
onal Con g ess in tthe
ngr 1920s.
he 192920s. T
92 The
he NeNehru
N hru
u Re
Report in 19 1929,
9292 , had di discussed the
importance
import
im r ance ooff he health
alth
lth of alaalll ccitizens
itizeens ooff a ccountry-protection
oun
u try-pr
prot
pr otec
ot ecti
ec t onn ooff mo
ti motherhood,
m th
hererho
hood
ho od,,
od
welfare
welfar
we children
re off child dren and econ economic
onom mic cconsequence
onseequene ce of oold ldd ag e, iinfirmity
age, nfirmi
nf mity
mi ty aand
nd
unemployment’
unnem
emplplloyment’ as a ffundamental
undaament ntal rright
ight oon
ig which
n wh
w Indian
ich Inndianan state
n sta
tate
ta tee sshould
h ulld enac
ho enact
actt
ac
1
laws.
laws
w . It wa
ws w
wass this rep report
por
ortt th
tha
thatat w
at was
as con
considered
nsidereed the fi firs
first
st drdraf
draft
a t of tthe he IIndian
ndia
nd iann
ia
Constitution,
C
Co nsti
titu
ti tuti
tut on, fr
ti framing
fram
a in
am ing
g idideas
dea
e s th that were
hat wer cconcretized
re later co ncretiizedd in oour ur C Constitution.
onnsttittut
utio
on.
n
The
Th blueprint
he bluepr prin
pr intt of tthe
he HHealth
ealt
ea lth Ca ssystem
th Care y tem of ind
ys independent
n epende
dent
de nt IIndia
ndia
nd iaa wwas laid
aidd ddown
as lai
ai own
wn
1946
in 19446 by Sir Joseph h Bhore, e,, tthe
h chairman to
he o a constitutional sub-committee.
vision
With the visio ionn of bbeing
ein
ei ng a welfare state, independent India aimed at creating
a universally accessible healthcare system with special focus on expanding
outreach focussed on the rural population while also running programmes of
immunization, disease prevention and general awareness.2

Global initiatives from the 1980s have addressed the gross inequalities that
persons with disabilities face as rightful citizens of their respective countries.
Since the international decade of disabled persons from 1983 to 1993, the
World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons (United Nations,
1982) stressed upon three things that are necessary for the state to perform
with regarding to disabilities, in order to safeguard the rights of disabled
persons and ensure their wellbeing. The safeguards can be put under the

1
Nehru Committee Report 1929, Available at: https://www.constitutionofindia.net/
historical_constitutions/nehru_report__motilal_nehru_1928__1st%20January%201928
Accessed on. 08/02/2024
2
Bhore Committee Report 1946, Vol 2, Available Online at: https://www.nhp.gov.in/sites/
default/files/pdf/Bhore_Comittee_Report_Vol2.pdfAccessed on 08/02/2024 275
Professional Ethics, broad headings of prevention, rehabilitation and equalization of
Policies and Acts
opportunities. The Principles for the Protection of Persons with Mental
Illness and the Improvement of Mental Health Care (United Nations, 1991)
stressed on the right of persons with mental disorders to avail the best
available healthcare and social care and rehabilitation services, to be
protected against discrimination/physical/ sexual abuse and also ensured of
social, economic, political, cultural and legal rights like any other citizen of
the state. The Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for
Persons with Disabilities (United Nations, 1993) which pledged to create
universal standardized rules for equalization of opportunities for persons with
disability. The resolution stressed on the persons with disabilities’ access to
quality medical services, rehabilitation measures and support services as the
basic prerequisites that the state must ensure in achieve the equalization of
opportunities for the differentially abled.

The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights

Participation)
and Full Participa p tion)) Act, 1995 commonly referred to as the PwD Act
pa
1995, was the firstt sign significant
gnificcant legislation in India aimed at safeguarding the
rights and iinterests
nter
nt erres persons
e tss of pe
pers
r onss wiwiththh ddisabilities.
isabil
is ilit iess. IIts
itie tss kkey
eyy oobjectives
b ecti
bj tiive
v s inincluded
ncl
clud
u ed
thee right forr equ
th equal
ual oopportunities
ppo
ortuunitties fofforr Pw
PwDs
P Ds iin vvarious
n va rioous
ri ou aaspects
p ctss off llife
spe
pe including
ife inc cludding
education,
educat
ed ation, eemployment
at mplloym and
mentt an access
nd acc cess too pu public
ubllic ffacilities.
aciliitiess. IItt al
also
lso hahas
as pprovisions
rovvisiions
to pprotect
rote ec the rrights
tect h s ooff P
ight PwDs
wDs ag
wD against
agaainstt di discrimination
iscrriminnatioon and d eexploitation
xplooitattionn to
ensure full
re ful participation
ull parti icippatio
on of PwDPwDs
wD Ds in all asp aspects
pecectts off li life.
life This
fe. Th
fe his aact
ct w
ct was hee ffirst
as the irrst
irst
off its kkind
o indd tto
o mamandate
anda
d te the proprovision
ovi
v siionn of spsspecial
ecial facilities and amenities to cater
to the uni unique
ique nneeds
eed
e s of PwD PwDs, s ssuch
Ds, uchh as
uc a aaccessible
ccces
essis blee in infrastructure,
infrfrasstr
t uc
uctu assistive
ure, assist tiv
ivee
devices
dev vicees anand barrier-free
nd bar rrier- environments.
r free envnvviron
onme
on ment
me nts.
nt s. RRehabilitation,
eh
habil ilit
ilitat
it atio
at ion,
io vocational
n, voc cat
atiiona training
nall trainining
ni ng aandnd
support
su
uppo ort sesservices
rvicees w would also
ould als b ppromoted
lsso be roomo
mote t d tto ensure
o ens nsur
ns uree th
ur thee wewelfare
w lfarre of ppersons
erso
er s ns
with
wi i abilitties. 3 This legislation marked the beginning of creating an
th ddisabilities.
is
inclusive
inclus
usiv
us ive an
iv and barrier
nd barrie ier free so
ie society
ocie
iety
iety
yw where
heree ppersons
he ersoons
er ns w withithh di
it disabilities
disa
sabi
sa biliiti
bi es ccan
ties an llive
an ivee wi
iv with th
dignity,
diign
dign i y, pparticipate
gnit actively,
articipatee active elyy, aassert
sser
sser their
ertt th
thei
eir ri
ei rights
igh
ghtsts aand
nd ccontribute
onntr
trib meaningfully
ibuutee me
ib mean anin
an ngffully tto o
the nanation’s
natition’s progrprogress.
grress. HHowever,
oweever
ow everr, ththere
theere re
ere remained
ema
m in ned sseveral
eveeral
ev al cchallenges
hall
ha llen
ll en
nges to to thee
effective
efffective implementation and enforcement of the provisions of the act. The
eff
subsequent
b llegislations
il i then
h came iinto place l to re-assert the h iimportance off
this Act and add upon it.

The National Policy for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities 2006,

recognises that persons with disabilities are valuable human resource for the
country and promises to create an environment that provides them equal
opportunities, protection of their rights and full participation in society. The
major focus of the policy includes prevention of disabilities and rehabilitation
of persons with disabilities.4 The policy lists programmes to be taken up and

3
The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full
Participation) Act, 1995, Available online at: https://thenationaltrust.gov.in/upload/
uploadfiles/files/Persons%20with%20Disability%20Act%201995.pdf Accessed on:
09/02/2024
4
Government Initiatives for Redressal of Disability in India. Ministry of Statistics and
Programme Implementation, Government of India. Available Online at:
https://www.mospi.gov.in/sites/default/files/reports_and_publication/statistical_publication/s
276 ocial_statistics/Chapter%208%20-National%20redressal.pdf Accessed on 09/02/2024
intensified for prevention of diseases, which result in disability and creation Professional Ethics
of awareness regarding measures to be taken for prevention of disabilities
during the period of pregnancy. The programmes for physical rehabilitation
included early detection and intervention, counselling and medical
interventions and provisions of aids and appliances. Facilities were to be
created for early detection and early intervention by the appropriate
Governments, who will also take measures to disseminate information
regarding availability of such facilities to the people especially in rural areas
(Senjam & Singh, 2020). The policy promised that physical rehabilitation for
persons with locomotor and hearing disabilities through different kinds of
therapies including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychotherapy,
surgical correction and intervention, vision assessment, vision stimulation,
speech therapy and audiological rehabilitation and special education will be
available in all the districts of every state in the country. The state
government, local level institutions and NGOs including associations of
parents and ppersons with disabilities were to be involved to ensure their
p
active involvement.

Thee National Rural

Th
T Rur
uralal Health
Health Mission n (NRHM)
(N
NRH HM) w wasa launched
as lau
au
unche hedd in 22005
he 0055 to
00 t
aaddress
ddress in infirmities
nfi
f rmitiees an and problems
nd prob obble
lems across
m acros primary
ss pr mary hhealth
rim care
eallth car and
re an nd brbring
ringg ab about
bou
outt
iimprovement
mprov ovvemen e t in tthe
en he hhealth
ealtth sysystem
em andd the hea health status
e lth stat tuss off those w whohoo livlive
ve in
tthe
he rrural areas.
urall are eas. T The
h ggoals
he oals of NRHMNRHM aare mainly
re m ainl
n y to
o prprovide
rovvide U Universal
niverrsal He Health
ealth
Care
Ca are w which
hich h is acaccessible
cce
cess
sssibble and aaffordable
f orda
ff d ble kkeeping
eep
e ingg in mind
n min indd bo
both th qquality
uali lity
lity and
equity
eq y of ca care.
are. ThThis
T is mmeant
eantnt that N NRHM H aaimed
RHM im
med at imprimproving
rov
o ing avai availability
a lability of
ai
quality
qualit
qu ty health h ccare
aree in rur
ar rural
ral aareas
reas bby also eensuring
y al nsur aarchitectural
u ing ar chititec
e tuura
rall cocorrection
orrec
ection on in
hhealth
he althh caree ddelivery,
eliive synergy
very, syne ergy bbetween
etw
ween health
n heallth aand determinants
nd deter
errmiina nt of ggood
nannts oodd he health
eal
alth
th
andd inv
an involving
volvvin the
i g th community
he comm munity n thee pplanning
y in lannning process.. Yet et the
he N National
atio
at Rural
i naal Rura
io rall
ra
Health
He eallth
t M Mission,
issi
is sion, whwhich
hich ha has
as bebeen
een rrevamped
evvamp ped anaandd modified several times over
tthee la
th last
st few w yyears,
e rs
ea rs, has
haas lilittle
itt
ttle offer
le to of
off persons
fer to perso with
ons wit disabilities
th di isabi
bili
liti
li tterms
tiies inn termerm ms of
access
ac c ss tto
cce o hehhealth
a th facilities.. T
al The primary
he prim healthcare
mary healt lthcare sy
lt system
ysttem iin n IndIIndia
ndia re remains
remamain
ma in
ns
unresponsive
unre esp
spono sive tto o th rrequirements
thee re quiremen nts of disabled ed people,
d peopl le, wwhether
ther iitt is ggeneral
heether ener
eral
al
health needs
neeeds oorr impa
impairment
p irmement n sspecific
ent p cific issues.
pe

There have been health schemes such as Ayushman Bharat Yojana, ADIP
and Nirmaya Health Insurance, but more often than not there remains gaps
in the healthcare system.

The Ayushman Bharat Yojana was launched in September 2018 is one of

India’s most ambitious healthcare initiatives aimed at providing financial
protection to citizens against catastrophic health expenses. There are
provisions, within this scheme, to specifically cater to the needs of persons
with disabilities. Under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana there is health
insurance Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) coverage for
treatment costs of various medical conditions, even the ones related to
disabilities. Hospitalization, surgeries, therapies and other necessary
treatments would also be covered under this scheme, without any financial

277
Professional Ethics, strain. 5 Thus, not only does this scheme offer financial benefits and
Policies and Acts
protection to PwDs and their families against high-cost medical care, it aims
to empower persons with disabilities by providing them quality healthcare
services aimed at a better quality of life. Another scheme is Assistance to
Disabled Persons for Purchase/ Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) by
the Government of India. The scheme provides financial assistance for the
purchase or fitting of various aids and appliances such as wheelchairs,
hearing aids, walking sticks, artificial limbs, braille kits and other assistive
devices. ADIP thus covers a wide range of disabilities, including orthopaedic,
visual, hearing and speech impairments. 6 It is aimed to enhance the
accessibility of PwDs to education, employment and social participation,
thereby promoting inclusion in society. It also provides for subsidized rates
for the assistive technology or free of cost, depending on the economic status
of the beneficiary. This scheme is often implemented with the help of several
NGOs, government hospitals, specialised institutions for the disabled. Like
Ayushman
y Bharat Yojana,
j Nirmaya y Health Insurance Scheme is also a
comprehensive he health
a th iinsurance
eal nsurance scheme designed specifically for persons
ns
with disabilities iin n IIndia.
ndiia. Health insurance benefits are provided for
nd
ddisabilities
di sabilities ffromm birthh oorr aacquired
rom cquireed llaterateer in lif life.
fe.
e T This scheme
his sche
hi heme
m cov covers
vers
hospitalization,
hoosp surgeries,
spitalizattion, sur therapies
rgeries, thherap pies anaand consultations
d co onsuultati related
tiionss reelate
ted to disabilities.
o dis
i ab
is bilitties.
The sc
Th scheme
h mee is vvery
che ery much
y muuch afaffordable
fford dablee to ensensure that
suree tha PwDs
at Pw wDs aacross
crosss thee ccountry
ounntryy
7
from economic
m alll ecconom backgrounds
micc bac ckgrrouund
n s ca ccan avail
n av vaill it. ThThe
he eenrolment
nrrolmeentt proprocess
r ceess als
ro also
lsoo
ls
requires
requir res
e mminimal
innimaal ddocumentation
ocumentati t on and
ti nd is ppretty straightforward
rettty strai ight
htforward d making it eeven ven
mmore
mo re aaccessible.
cces
essiblee. A All
ll these sschemes
c emess play a vital role in improving the
ch
healthcare
he a thccare ooutcomes
eal utco
omees and qu quality
qual
alit
al ityy of llife
it ifee fo
if fforr pe
persons
pers
rson
rsonss wi
on with
w th ddisabilities
i ab
is abil
ilit
ili ie
it n IIndia.
ies in ndia
nd ia.
ia

India
In signatory
ndiaa is a sign nato the
ory to thhe UNUNCRPD
U CRPD
CR PD (Un(United
United N
Un Nations
atio
ations
io ns CConvention
onveent
ntio
ionn on the
io he
Rights
g ts ooff Pe
Righ
Ri gh Persons
ersonss with Disabilities) 2008 but declined from signing the
optional
option
onal
on protocol
a pro
al rotocol of thee con
ro convention,
onvvenntio
on on, oonly
ntio ratifying
nly ra
nly ratiify
fyin
ingg th
in convention.
thee co
conv
nven
nv nti
tion
on. Th
on Thee
convention
conv
co nvention
nv laid
o has lai
on hee uuniversal
id downn the nive
niverrsal
ve al gguidelines
uide
uideliine
de ness whwhich
whic are
re to bbee foll
ichh ar
ic followed
llowed
ll ed
order
in ord
rder
rd promote
e to promot barrier
otte a barr
rrie
rr free
ierr fr
ie ree eenvironment
nvir
nv ironnment
ir ntt ffor
or ppersons
er ons
erso ns wwith
ithh disa
it ddisabilities
i abi
bilitiess
and
an d promote their participation in socio-economic life, while also preventing
different fforms off abuse
diff b andd exploitation.
l i i It also
l llays guidelines
id li to give
i
persons with disabilities adequate opportunities to nourish and enhance their
capabilities for an independent and dignified life. The Article 25 of the
UNCRPD recognises that PwDs have the right to the enjoyment of the
highest attainable standard of health without discrimination. It emphasizes
the importance of ensuring access to healthcare services, including
preventive, curative and rehabilitative services, on an equal basis with others.
Article 26 asserts for the rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities.
It highlights the importance of providing comprehensive support and services

5
Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, National Health Authority.
Available at: https://nha.gov.in/PM-JAYAccessed on 10/02/2024
6
ADIP. Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. Available At:
https://depwd.gov.in/adip/#:~:text=The%20ADIP%20Scheme%20is%20in,by%20reducing%
20the%20effects%20of Accessed on 10/02/2024
7
Nirmaya Health Insurance. The National Trust. Available online at:
https://www.thenationaltrust.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/niramaya_eng.pdf Accessed on
278 10/02/2024
to enable PwDs to attain and maintain maximum independence, full physical, Professional Ethics
mental, social and vocational ability and participation in all aspects of life.
Article 32 highlights international cooperation that is underscored in
improving access to healthcare services for PwDs. UNCRPD also promotes
research and the sharing of knowledge and expertise to improve healthcare
outcomes for the PwDs globally. 8 The UNCRPD stresses on the role and
responsibility of the state to monitor the implementation of the convention to
ensure accessibility of medical facilities, removing barriers which persons
with disabilities might face, ensuring quality healthcare facilities even in rural
areas, and creating affordable mobility and access to technological assistance
and specialised staff if and when required.

Check Your Progress 1

1) Define public health.

…………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………
………………………………

2) Highlight
Hi
igh
ghllight In
India’s
ndia’
a’s key in
init
initiatives
i iatives iin
it n pu
public
ubliic hea
health
alth
h po
policy
oliccy cr
creation.
rea
e tioon.
…………………………………………………………………………
……
……………
… …………
………
…………
…………
……………
…………
………
…………
…………………………………………………………………………
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………
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… ………
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… …………
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………
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……………

13.3
13.3 STATUS
ST
TATUUS OF
OF HEALTH
HEAL LTH H OF
OF PERSONS
PE
ERSONS WITH
WITH
DISABILITIES
D IS
SAB
BILITIE
ES IN
IN INDIA
I N DI A
The he
Th heal
health
a th of peop
al people
ople
le w
with
ith disa
it disabilities
s bi
sa billitiess iiss largel
largelyly neglec
neglected
ectedd in
ec n oour
ur co
country.
ount
ount
ntry
ry. Th
ry This
his
is ddue
u to va
ue various
vari
riou factors
ouss fa
fact
ctor ssuch
torss su uch aass lack of ac aaccessibility
cessib
bil
ilit
ityy fe
it features
eatu
atureses – pphysical
hysiicaal
hy
rs ssuch
barriers uch as a lack of wid
uc wideidee ddoors,
id accessible
oors, accessi ible toilets or examination tables
or even ramps to t eenter
nter
t the healthcare institution institution, can limit access of persons
with disabilities. Coupled with this is also the lack of awareness about the
specific needs of PwDs- leading to inadequate treatment, misdiagnosis and
neglect of health issues. There is also a stigma associated with disability
which results in a reluctance to seek medical help. Financial constraints often
hinder access to healthcare as many medical consultations and diagnostic
tests, assistive technology require large sums of money. A lack of policy
implementation, enforcement and accountability of people also lead to the
haps in service and neglect of PwDs’ healthcare needs. Geographical barriers
too, contribute to the neglect as rural and remote regions often lack healthcare
infrastructure. Many disabilities require ongoing management and treatment
to maintain health and functioning. For example, individuals with cerebral

8
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities- Articles. United Nations.
Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Disability. Available At: https://www.un.org/
development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/
convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-2.html Accessed on 10/02/2024 279
Professional Ethics, palsy, multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries may need regular medical
Policies and Acts
checkups, medication management and therapies to manage symptoms and
prevent complications. Regular medical assistance can also help in early
detection of health issues and prevent it from worsening. Regular screening
or checkups can also prevent health complications due to their existing
disability. Assistive devices may also require adjustments and replacements
which require regular monitoring. Many persons with disabilities require
physical therapy, post-operative therapy, occupational therapy, speech
therapy or other specialised interventions, which also require regular
monitoring and adjustments based on their changing needs. Along with
physical medical assistance, assistance for mental health issues such as
depression, anxiety or adjustment disorders related to disability. There may
be need for counselling and psychiatric care for overall wellbeing of some
persons of disabilities. Along with the neglect of facilities, these facilities are
also very expensive, making its availability also rare. As gross inequalities
exist between access to healthcare between the rich-poor, p rural-urban in
India, people with ddisabilities
isab
bil
ilit
ities become more vulnerable than any other section
of the population in India.
n Ind
dia
ia.

Table
T
Ta ble 13.1
13.1:
1: To
Total
ota
al Ina
Inactive
activve H
Health
ea
alt
lth
h Fac
Facilities
cilitties iin
n th
tthee La
Las
Last
st 5 Y
Years
ea
ars
20199-
2019-
State/UT 2015-16
20
015
5-1
- 6 22016-17
20 16-1
17 201
2017-18
17-1
18 200188-199 20
2018-19 0
Andhra
An
ndhra P
Pradesh
r deshh (ol
ra (old)
ld) 11 29 29 40 41
Arunachal
Arun
Ar u acchal Pr
P
Pradesh
ad
des
eh 1855
18 2855
28 2855
28 2877
28 3255
32
Assam
m 35
359
59 107
10
1075
75 11075
075
075 1131
1131 11141
141
14
Bihar 300 380 380 361 361
Chhattisgarh
Chha
Ch haatt
t isgaarh 2003
20 3 22006
0066
00 2006
20 06 22033
0333
03 20
2073
073
Goaa
Go 9 10 110
0 14 155
Gujarat
Guja
Gu jara
r t 714 1582 1580 1814 1816
Haryana 75 171 171 429 430
Himachal Pradesh 43 43 43 116 115
Jammu & Kashmir 131 161 161 161 161
Jharkhand 246 306 306 318 326
Karnataka 410 530 530 540 545
Kerela 25 76 76 78 78
Madhya Pradesh 248 311 311 475 475
Maharashtra 204 302 302 352 358
Manipur 46 128 128 129 129
Meghalaya 208 348 348 354 354
280
 Mizoram 164 168 168 172 172 Professional Ethics

Nagaland 10 146 146 148 150

Odisha 11 37 37 37 37
Punjab 342 1017 1017 1038 1041
Rajasthan 1307 1426 1426 1534 1534
Sikkim 17 41 41 41 41
Tamil Nadu 103 118 118 122 120
Telengana 0 119 119 135 139
Tripura 34 65 65 81 81
Uttar Pradesh 1080 1700 1700 1912 2074
Uttarakhand 54 80 80 86 85
West Bengal 106 142 143 147 148
Delhi 231 40
402
02 402 424 424
Chandigarh
Chandiga
garh
garh 6 52 522 566 566
Puducherry
Pudu
duucherrry
r 2 2 2 2 2
Daman
Dama
Da an an
and
nd Di
D
Diu
u 1 1 1 1 1
Dara
Dara
r &N
Nagar
a ar H
ag Haveli
avel
elii 9 9 9 9 9
A&N
A& N island
islands
ndss 0 0 0 0 0
Lakshadweep
L akssha
h dw
weep 2 2 2 2 2

Sour
Source:
u cee: Inc
ur Inclusion
clu
lusi
sion of Personss wi
w
with
th D
Disabilities
isab
bil
ilit
ities in
it n the Pri
Primary
r mary H
Health
e lthh Ca
ea Care
re S
System
ysteem in Ind
ys India.
nd
dia
ia..
sh & Banerjee,
(Ghosh
(G e 22021)
Banerrjeee, 021)
02 1)

Tabl
Table
blle 13.1 sshows
h ws tthe
ho hee nnumber
umber of o Inactive He
H
Health
alth FFacilities
acil
ac iliitiees ov
il over
er the
hee llast
asst 5
across
years acro s IIndia.
oss ndia. The dadata
ata shows that there has been a significant increase
iin the
th numberb off iinactive
ti ffacilities
iliti across almost
l t all
ll states.
t t

Table 13.2: State-wise Shortfall in Health Infrastructure (SCs, PHCs, CHCs and HWC) as Per
Estimation of Mid-Year Population in India 2019
Sub Centres Primary Health Centres (PHCs) Community Health Centres (CHCs)
In Req In
Requ Positi Shortf uire Positi Short Requi In Short
ired on all %age d on fall %age red Position fall %age
States/ Short Shortf
UTs (R) (P) (S) fall (R) (P) (S) Shortfall (R) (P) (S) all
Andhra 118
Pradesh 7178 7437 * * 3 1145 38 3 295 140 155 53
104
Assam 6374 4643 1731 27 0 946 94 9 260 177 83 32
281
Professional Ethics, 354
Policies
Bihar and Acts
21337 9949 11388 53 8 1899 1649 46 887 150 737 83
Chhattis
garh 5323 5205 118 2 843 792 51 6 210 170 40 19
Delhi 34 12 22 65 5 5 0 0 1 0 1 100
Haryana 3460 2604 856 25 576 379 197 34 144 115 29 20
Jammu
and
Kashmir 2102 3025 * * 342 622 * * 85 84 1 1
Jharkhan 107
d 6768 3848 2920 43 9 298 781 72 269 171 98 36
Karnata 131
ka 8028 9758 * * 8 2127 * * 329 198 131 40
Lakshad
weep 1 14 * * 0 4 * * 0 3 * *
Madhya 1022 223
Pradesh 13935 6 3709 27 3 1199 1034 46 558 309 249 45
Maharas 1066 229
htra 14112 8 3444 24 9 1828
8 471 20 574 364 210 37
Manipur
M
Ma nipur 537 4900 47 9 84
4 90 * * 21
1 23 * *
Meghala
ya 822
82
22 4477
77 3455
34 42 124
12
24 118 6 5 31
1 2288 3 10
13
134
34
Odisha
Odis
isha 8382
83
382 6688
8 1694 20 5 1288
8 57 4 336
33
36 377 * *
Pu he
Puduche
Puduch
rry
y 91 54 37 4411 15
5 24 * * 3 2 1 33
Punjab
Pu
unjab
b 3562
35
562
6 2950 6612
612 1177 593
59
93 416 1777
17 30
0 1488
14 89 59 40
Sikkim
Sikkim
m 96
9 6 176 * * 15
5 29 * * 3 2 1 33
Tamil
Tam
Ta mi
mil 1122
22
Nadu
Nadu
d
du 7355
7
73 55 8713 * * 2 1422 * * 3055
30 33855
38 * *
Telang
Telanga
T ga
naa 4479
44
479 4744 * * 731 636 95
5 13 1182
822 85
85 97 5533
Tripuraa 661 9722
97 * * 104 108 * * 26 18 8 31
Uttar 2078
2078 578
Pradesh 34726 2 13944 40 1 2936 2845 49 1445 679 766 53
West 1035 217
Bengal 13226 7 2869 22 7 908 1269 58 544 348 196 36
18976 1574 310 2485
India 5 11 43736 23 74 5 8764 28 7756 5335 2865 37

*Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India.

Table 13.2 depicts the shortfall in health infrastructure in India. Data shows
that around 13-14 states in India have a shortfall in either of the three levels
of rural health infrastructure and may have a shortfall in more than one type
health infrastructure. For subcenters, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have the
highest shortfall of SCs at 11,388 and 13,944 number of SCs respectively.
For Primary Health Centers, again Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have the with
short fall of PHCs at 1649 and 2845 number of PHCs respectively. As for
Community Health Centers, Delhi has the highest shortfall of CHCs at 100
282 numbers.
Since independence there have been a dozen committees which have Professional Ethics
continuously advocated a reform in the structure and functioning of the rural
health care system in India. Yet the continuing lack of trained personnel,
shortage of staff and doctors, corruption and negligence has compelled much
of the rural population to access private health facilities (Bajpai & Goyal,
2004). The National Rural Health mission launched in 2005 had the objective
of modernizing and upgrading the Rural Healthcare system and providing
equitable, affordable, and quality health care to the rural population.
However, the status of the rural health care system is far from being a
satisfactory system looks after the health care requirements of the majority of
the rural people especially the poor and marginalized who often cannot afford
private healthcare. Although, right from the formative years of India’s Health
Policy in independent India till recently, the case of establishing a system
which could effectively implement the rights of people with disabilities and
safeguard their overall wellbeing was somewhat neglected. The state in India
has focused on preventing the incidence of disability and providing
rehabilitation services for certain types of dis
disabilities
sab
a ilit
itiiess like blindness, leprosy
and intellectual disability.

13.4 BARRIERS
BAR
RRIER
RS TO
TO ACCESSING
ACCE
ESS
SIN
NG HEALTHCARE
HEAL
LTH
HCARE
E
The hu
The huge
uge ddisparities
ispa
p rities
pa i in healthh acces
access
e s betw
between
weeen peop
people
ple w with
ithh di
disabilities
isabbilitties and
people
peop
pe o lee who o do no face
not fa ace tthe difficulties
h samee diff
he fficcultiees llie
ff ie not onlyy in ttheh ssheer
he heeer expense
of m medical treatment
edicall treatme ent forr thee dis disabled
isableed but also iinaccessible
n ccesssi
na sibble health
infrastructure,
infras
in structure inadequate
re, in adequate
d diagnostic
tee dia
agnos equipment,
osticc equi ipmment, nnegative
egat
eg ativ
ativee an
iv andd ststereotypical
ster
e eooty
typi
pica
pi call
ca
medical
medica
me staff,
c l st
ca and
taff, an nd lack ooff tratrained
raineed pprofessionals
rofess
ssiona which
n ls whi c aaltogether
ich ltog
ltoget
og ethe
et herr ma
he make
ake tthe
he
persons
erssonss with
pe disabilities
wiith dis sab
abil
i it
itie worst
iees thee wo rrecipients
orstt re cipiientss of the co ccountry’s
unntr
t y’ already
y’ss al
alre
read
re ailing
dy aili ing
public
publ
blic health
icc hea l h system ((NCPEDP,
alt NCPE
NC PED
PE 2009).
DP, 20
20009).

Inaccessible
In
nac
a cesssib
ible
l H
le Health Infrastructure:
ealth Infr fras
ras
a tr
tructu r : Many healthcare
ure h althca
he carre ffacilities
ca acillit
ac itie lack
ies la
ie k rramps,
ack amps
am pss,
elevators,
elevattor accessible
ors, acces sibl
si eexamination
blee ex aminatatio and
nd other iinfrastructure
ion tables, an nffrasttructure necessary
disabled
for disabl d iindividuals
led ndiv
ndivid
idua ls tto
uals o access them easily. This makes it difficult for
patients with mobility impairments very difficult to visit hospitals or clinics.
The health care system presumes certain abilities which many patients are not
able to fulfil and for disabled patients, the lack of access often becomes a
barrier to seeking appropriate health care or even rehabilitation services.
Rehabilitation services form the core of services accessed by persons with
disabilities and these are mostly available in urban areas. As transport is also
inaccessible and information about rehabilitation services not readily
available, such services are scantly used by persons with disabilities.
Moreover such rehabilitation services are mostly dominated by male
professionals and become a hindrance for disabled women in accessing such
services. As men are in charge of taking measurements for assistive devices,
which means coming in close contact with the female body, there is always a
risk of sexual misconduct and inappropriate sexual touching of women with
disabilities which deters women from accessing such services.
283
Professional Ethics, Inadequate diagnostic equipment: Adjustable medical equipment and
Policies and Acts
assistive devices are often not present in hospitals and clinics, thereby unable
to cater to the needs of people with disabilities. For people with locomotor
disabilities to climb onto high tables for different diagnostic tests is near
impossible. There are no sensory improvisations for people with blindness
and deafness to understand the processes of diagnostic testing. For people
with intellectual and developmental disabilities the entire responsibility for
preparing the person for diagnostic tests often falls on the family.

Lack of trained professionals: Hospital and clinic staff may not have sign
language interpreters or staff without any knowledge about basic sign
language or other communication aids for deaf or hearing- impaired patients.
Communication about important treatment techniques, medicines may not be
conveyed effectively to patients. Disabled people also may find it challenging
to communicate with healthcare providers. Even handlers of wheelchairs are
sometimes inadequately trained about the appropriate way to provide
mobility to locomo
oto
t r disabled people.
locomotor

Negative and ste t reot otyp

ypical m
stereotypical edic
ed ical
medical a sstaff:
taff
ta ff:: Discriminatory
Discrimin in
natator
oryy atti titu
tuded s,
attitudes,
prej
pr e udices amo
prejudices ong hea
among althccarre staf
healthcare sttafff cann aalso
staff lso ccreate
r atee ba
re barrie ers forr di
barriers isab bled
disabled
indiivi
v dud als seek
individuals kin
ng m
seeking edica
medicalcall caare. H
care. eaalthhcaree pr
Healthcare rofessiionaals ar
professionals re tr
are raiined
trained d to
wo ork
workr with
wit
i h ppersons
erso
onss with h diisab
abilittie
i s, whi
disabilities, which ich
h all low ttheir
allow heiir m isco
c ncceptioonss ab
co
misconceptions boutt
about
peop ple
people l w i h dis
it
with sabiilitiees too cl
disabilities lou
oud th
cloud thei
e r atti
their ituddes. D
attitudes. issable
Disabledleed pe
ppeople
opple aree often n
m
ma rked
marked ed by y theirr di
disability ca ateg
goro ie
ies. M
categories. Manyany deaf people have reported that
w
wh
whenen tthey
heyy go to hospital forr sspecific peci
pe cifi
f c illnesses, there are no interpreters
fi
avaailab
availableble an
and th hey
theyy are usu sual
su ally
al
usuallyly ask ked tto
asked o goo ttoo ththee EN
ENT T de
depapart
pa rtme
rtment, wi
me
department, with
th tthe
he
as
ssum mption
assumption on tha at th
that hey havee noo oth
they ther
th
other er aililmeent
il
ailment. nt. Ot
Oth
Otherhe ddisabled
her isaabl
b ed peo eoplee recoun
eo
people recountuntt
un
thatt ffamily
th am
milly be ecomees the main med
becomes diu
mediumi m of commu nica
communication i tiion as healhealthlth
h care staf ff
staff
do not ot communicate
comm municaate withh th hem ddirectly.
them irrec
e tl
tly.
y. S im
mililar
arly
ar
Similarly, ly,, wo
ly womemenn wi
me
women withth ddisabilities
issab
abililit
ilitie
ities
ie
re
epo
port
reportrt tha at negative
that v attitud udess ooff th
ud
attitudes thee hhealth
eal
allth ccare
are staf
ar sttaf
a f im
staff imp pact ttheir
pact
impact heirr acc
he cess to
access
their se
th sexxual and rep
sexual e roduct ctiv
ct
reproductive ivee he
iv ealth
alth nneeds
health eeedss aand
nd pprenatal,
rena
re n taal, nnatal
na atal
at al aand
nd ppost-natal
osst--nataal
caare needs. Murthy
care h , John and Sagar (2014) have investigated the case of
Murthy,
southern India and have found a significantly lower proportion of women
with disability experiencing pregnancy (36.8%) compared to women without
a disability. Hospital and clinic staffs often ignore the needs of women with
disabilities.

13.5 DISABILITY ETHICS AND PUBLIC HEALTH

POLICIES
Within larger public health policies, disability and its prevention features as a
major initiative of the state, wherein nationwide campaigns to eradicate
several forms of disabling conditions are undertaken. In addition, the state in
India has initiated many rehabilitation programmes for persons with
disabilities in India that aim to mitigate impairment related barriers, help
disabled people to participate in everyday life and build inclusive
communities. Together these two approaches contribute towards ensuring
284 that every person has the chance to live a life in which there is less likelihood
of having a disabling condition and ensure that persons with disability enjoy Professional Ethics
equal opportunity in society and are able to participate on an equal basis with
others in all social and economic activities.

13.5.1 Immunization
Immunization is one of the most successful public health initiatives of all
time, through prevention of death and reduction in disease severity,
complications and disability (O'Neill, et al., 2020). A child born with a
disability can be a matter of chance depending on many factors which are
both internal and external to the pregnant woman. Complications may be the
result of several reasons starting from genetics to drug abuse to nutrition and
emotional and mental status of the pregnant woman. The central and state
government in India have begun several schemes to provide basic ante-natal
care to pregnant women, conducting immunization drives for children and
spreading awareness amongst the rural population to reduce the risk to both
pregnant women and children, with or without disability (Ghosh & Banerjee,
2021). Hence one of the key objectives of the nnational atioonaal health mission is to try
and ensure a healthy population of citizens wh who,
w o, bby availing
y availi ng tthe
ling he bbenefits
en
nef
efit
itss ofo
tthe affordable
he afford dab
ablle health
le hea h caree ssystem,
e lth y tem, ca
ys can
an livlive
ve a he healthy
ealtthyy andd pr productive
roduuctivve llife.
iffe.
ife.
Proper
P roperr iimmunization
mmun uniz
un izat schemes
ation sc
scheheeme
m s re require
requ tailored
q ire tailo ored vaccination
d vac ccinnatition plan or sch schedules,
heduules,
aalternative
lternrnativ
rn ve m methods
ethodo s ooff admin
od administration
in
nis
i trat
a ion
at n of vvaccines
acccinees mu must
mus st aalso
l o bbee ddevised
ls ev
vised to
ccater
ateter to thehe nneeds ds ooff pe
eeds ppeople
ople w with
ithh ddisabilities.
isabiilitiies. AwAwareness,
Awaren ess,, eeducation
enes duccatiion and
ttraining campaigns
raaininng cam mpaig targeted
ignns tar
ig a geteteed at pe persons with
ersoons wit ith ddisabilities
isabilitiess and nd ttheir
heir caregivers
he
are th
ar the
he need d ooff the ho
hour. Collaboration
ourr. Coll l aborratio
ll with
on wit th ddisability organizations
isability orga gaani
nizazatition
o s can help
ensure
en immunization
re thatt im
immum nization
mu programmes
n progr g am mmees aree inclinclusive
c usivee an andd aaddress
ddrdres
dr esss th needs
the ne
neededss of
ed
ddisabled
isablled
e inindividuals.
ndivid duals. ThThese
hese oorganizations provide
rgaanizaationss cann provid de va valuable
val
luabable
ab le iinsights
nsig
ght and
htss an nd
support
su i rreaching
uppportt in eachining
in g an
and serving
d serv rv
ving people
g peop ople w
op with
ith di
disabilities. It is also important to
monitor
moni n to
ni immunization
or im
mmum niza zation
onn pprocess
roce
ro ceess aandnd ratese and eevaluate
es valuatte th the effectiveness
he ef
effefect
fe ctiv
ct i en
iv ess of tthe
enes
es he
drive, w
dr when
henn requi
he required
ired strategies
d strateg gie may
iess ma
m y nneed
eed to be remodelled
b remod odellleed an
od andd im implemented
mpllem
emeente tedd
to aaddress
ddress vvarious
dd ario
ar us iimmunization
ious mmun
mm un niz
ization n nneeds.
eeds. Thiss wouldd be tto ensure
o en
ensusurre th
su that
hat nno
hat o oone ne
behind
is left be
behi
hind
hi vaccination
n in the vaccinat atioion
io n efforts.

Along with the inadequate supply of vaccines, lack of vaccination registration

cards or schedules, there are several barriers to the access of immunization
such as the physical distance from the healthcare facility, lack of cheap and
direct transportation poses to be a major barrier for individuals seeking
healthcare in all of south Asia (Barman & Dutta, 2013). Especially in rural
areas, the access to healthcare centres for vaccination, immunization becomes
difficult. Often there are physical barriers that hinder healthcare, due to the
building structure or built environment. Outdoor and indoor environments in
health-care centres – including the waiting area, washrooms, examination
rooms, beds, etc. are often not disability-friendly. Not being able to access
different departments on different floors or buildings, or not being able to use
the washroom when visiting clinics often deters the will to visit it in the first
place are some systemic barriers that need to be overcome to make
immunization accessible to all. Rushed consultations, a lack of knowledge or
understanding about the implications of the vaccine, a prejudice that
285
Professional Ethics, healthcare professional hold often disrupts the process of dispensing vaccines
Policies and Acts
and other healthcare benefits, that also need to be overcome. While making
healthcare centres, clinics, and hospitals available is important, and the first
step towards dispensing healthcare benefits, ethical considerations while
providing healthcare also becomes important.

Ethics can be defined as a ‘set of moral principles, especially ones relating to

or affirming a specified group, field or form of conduct.’ Technically, ethics
refer to aspects of morality and a desirable manner of behaving that may not
have any legal binding on an individual. In the case of medical ethics
however, these behaviours are not just desirable but also mandated. The legal
ethics of patient care are determined by rules and regulations abided by the
country.

Medical – The ethical aspect of medical care within immunization, is the

moral duty of healthcare workers. This may include ensuring safer birth
practices, early identification and intervention and referral to disability
services. Also, pa patients
atien
nts with disabilities have the right to know the
implications of thee trea treatment
tment or vvaccination,
eatm acci
ac cina
n tiion the
on,, th ccourse
he co urse oorr ti timeline
m line ooff the
time
vaccination
v
va ccination procedure
n pro oced dure an and
nd th the re related
rela risks
latedd ri
la isks an and bbenefits
neffitss aattached
ene t ache
tt h d to o it.
Traditional
Trad dit adult-child
itional adul lt-ch
child rela
ch relationships
ships in ssocieties
atiionsh e ddictate
occietiies that
ictaatee tha adults
at adu ults aree m more
ore
powerful.
po u . IIn
owerfful n thee m medical centre,
ediccal cenentre,
e, m medical
ediccal proprofessionals
ofessionaalss alwalways
way command
ayss comm mman nd a
power
powe and
er annd aauthority.
utho However,
oritty. H oweeverr, in tthis
his et
hi ethical
thiccal fframework,
rammewoork, iitt is impimperative
mpeerativ
mp iv
ve that
att
medical
m
me professionals
dicaal pr
proofessisionnals share aaccurate
ccuura
rate information
te inf
nformation about the disability and its
additional
ad ddi
d tio
onal requrequirements
uireements andd li llimitations
imi
mitatati
t ons to patients and their primary
ti
caregivers
carregiv in a circumspect
verss in circcumspec manner.
ectt ma
ec mannner This
er. Th m means
eans
eans tthe
he iinformation
he nfor
nf orma
ormati
ma tion
ti shared
on share must
redd mu
re st
bee aadequate,
dequ relevant
quaate, relev
qu e ant an communicated
and comm mmunicatted iin
mm n a ma manner
ann
nnerer tthat
hat can be
ccomprehended
co mprehe
mp hen
he nded d by the person withh di disability
disabili ity andd ththeir
heir
i family. C Consent
onsent andd
aassent
ntt aare
ssent re ooff vitall import
importance
rtan
rta ce w
an when
heen coconducting
cond
nduccti
nd ting
ng mmedical
ed
dic al eexaminations
ical xami
xa m na
mi nati
tiion
onss an
andd
gathering
ga
gath
ath
hering iinformation.
g in formattion.

Social
Soci
cia
cial – within the medical
hee social aspect off immunization and med
dic inferring
i all care, inf
ferring
that all people with disabilities are automatically vulnerable can be
problematic. Not all children or people with disabilities consider themselves
as vulnerable and may interpret situations and advocate for themselves as
their peers without disabilities. Often people with disabilities, especially
children have a greater insight into dealing with difficult situations, informed
by their own life experiences. What is then needed is proper counselling of
parents to understand the child’s impairment and developmental journey.
Mass awareness about disabilities specified in the RPWDA 2016 across
levels of health workers so that they can provide proper support to families is
also necessary for both children and their families to be aware of their rights
and facilities that the government has provisions for.

Legal – The ethical dimension in the legal aspect involve access to proper
disability certificates and ID cards. These cards would ensure that persons
with disabilities would get the opportunities for subsidized rates in several
diagnostic tests and get an opportunity to apply for the insurance schemes.
286 The disability certificates and identity card receiving process can be more
user friendly with multiple regional language options for it to be easy. Along Professional Ethics
with this, it is the ethical responsibility of all individuals to not exploit or
misuse the schemes available for other illegal purposes. This would ensure
that the benefit would reach the person it was intended for.

13.5.2 Interventions for Rehabilitation

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines rehabilitation as a ‘set of
interventions designed to optimise functioning and reduce disability in
individuals with health conditions in interaction with their environment’
(WHO, 2023). Rehabilitation thus, helps a person to be as independent as
possible in everyday activities, enabling the person to participate in
education, work, recreation and other meaningful roles (WHO, 2023). The
different aspects of rehabilitation can vary depending on the specific needs of
the persons and the nature of their condition.

Physicaly therapy py focuses on improving p g mobility, y, strength,

g , flexibility, y, overall
physical function through exercises, stret stretches
e ches
et es aandnd other techniques.
Occupational therapy helps the individual develop deve
v lopp or regain the skills needed
ffor or everyday y aactivities
ay ctiv
ctivit
itie o sself-care,
iess of elf-care, w work
ork and leisure.
nd lei isurre. ThThere is i al also speech
lso spee e ch
ttherapy
herapyy whichh is i aalsolso
ls known
o know wn as spee speech-language
ech--la
l ngguagge pat pathology
atholo ogy too as assist
ssistt
iindividuals
ndiviviiduals
alls withwi h ccommunication
ommuni nicati
ni tion
io disorders,
disor
ordeers, speespeech
eecch imp impairments
mppairm men nts or
swallowing
swal
sw allowiw ngg dif
wi difficulties
ffi (University
f culties (Unive ers y ooff St
r ity St.
t. AAugustine
uguustinne ffor
o H
or Health
eaalth Sc Sciences,
ciennces,
2023).
20 023
2 ). An Another
nothher
e asp aspect
specct of rrehabilitation
ehaba ilitattionn and in
ab intervention
nte
terv
rvventitiion incluincludes
l des
psychological
psych
ps hologicaal and em emotional
motio n l ssupport
ona uppport wh which provides
hich provid id
des cou counselling
oun
unselling to
individuals
indivi
in iduals to ccope o e with cchallenges
op halllengees as associated
asssociaatedd with ththeir
thei
eirr co
ei ccondition.
ndit
nd itio
it ion.
io n T This
hiss ma
hi mayy
iinclude
in c udde an
cl anxiety, y, stress, dep depression,
pressssion, grief
n, grie ef m management
anagem men nt te techniques.
tech
chhni
niqquess. Wi Withth
psychological
pssyc
ycholo l giical su
lo support
upp
p orortt aalso
lso ccomes
ommes ssocial support
ociall suppp ort to rre-integrate
e-in
integr
in grat
gr iindividuals
atee in
at diividu ual
alss
intoo ssocial
to o iaal ac
oc activities andd m maintaining
ain
aintaininin
ni relationships.
ng rel lationsships. SoSocial
Soci ial sskills,
k llls, ppeer
ki eerr su
ee support
upp
ppor
ortt
or
groups
gr ps may
may bbee us useded tto aassist
o as sistt hhere.
ere. P Pain management
ain mana n gemeent ddue ue tto injury
o innju
jury y oorr th
ry their
thei
eirr
ei
condition
coondditionn th tthrough
ro
oug
ughh memedication,
edi
d ca
c ti
t on physical
on, phys ysic
ys ical therapy p and rrelaxation
elax
elaxat
ax attio
on tetechniques
ech
chniiququees aare
re
part
also par artt of rehab
ar rehabilitation.
bil
iliitation. T There
here is nutritiona
he nutritional
n l support that is provided for
recovery off ov overall
over
eral health
alll he alth
lth of individuals (University of St. Augustine for
Health Sciences, 2023). Provision of assistive aids and appliances –
rehabilitation does not only include physical therapy or rehabilitation aimed
at improving mobility, function or independence for individuals with
disabilities. It involves other exercises and assistive devices like hearing aids,
wheelchairs, crutches, etc. Some of these devices may need trained personnel
for their primary installation, but also may need regular maintenance.
Community-based rehabilitation programmes to promote inclusion and
participation of people with disabilities within their communities (Kumar, et
al., 2012). These are often in collaboration between government agencies,
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local community members
aimed to provide rehabilitation services that are culturally appropriate,
accessible to many people and sustainable (Kumar, et al., 2012). All these
rehabilitative measures emphasize on the right of individuals with disabilities
to live a life directed by their own choices— where they can choose how they
live, where they work and how they participate in society. rehabilitation
287
Professional Ethics, programmes support the individuals with disabilities to achieve and maintain
Policies and Acts
independent living.

13.5.3 Education, Vocational Training for Employment as a

Rehabilitation Initiative
Education – rehabilitation and intervention include educational support
tailored to the needs of persons with disabilities. Special education
programmes, accessible classrooms with digital technology supporting both
audio and visual assistance, accessible reading materials can be some ways in
which inclusive education can be fostered. Education helps an individual
under the nature of their condition, its causes, symptoms and potential impact
on their daily lives. The knowledge empowers them to make informed
decisions about treatment and self-care. Medical interventions, therapies,
lifestyles change mechanisms necessary for rehabilitation are better
understood with education. Thus, education forms the crux of rehabilitation.
Education also emp empowers
powers individuals to advocate for themselves in the case
of negligence or bbreach reachh of ethics in healthcare. Rehabilitation programmes,
assistance,
financial assistance e, susupport
upp
p or groups
o t gr o pss ccan
rou built
an bee bu uil
iltt byy persons with
nss w disabilities
ithh disa
it abi
b liities
themselves
them
th e selves wh when
hen the they have
ey hav av
ve ededucation.
educu attionn. IIncorporating
ncco poora
ncor r tiing eeducation
d caati
du t onn iinto
nto
rrehabilitation
rehaabi
b litatio programmes,
on prrogrramm mes, ththus enables
hus enab healthcare
bles hea alth personnels
hcaree per promote
rsoonnnels to pro omote the
overall
ov
ver well-being
e alll we
w lll-beinng ooff in
individuals
ndivviduualss wi
with
th disabilities.
h disabbilitiies.

Vocational
Vo
V cati
tional training
a train
al skill
ningg or ski ill ddevelopment
evel
ev e op
el pment programmes help iindividuals ndidividuals wi with
ithh
disabilities
disa
dis bili acquire
litiess acqu uiree skills andd knknowledge
knowle edg
dge necessary for a specific occupation
or industry.
indu ustry. This
y. Thi may
is ma
m include
y incl
clud
cludee te
ud ttechnical
chhni
nica skills
lls ssuch
call skil
ca uchh as ccomputer
uc ompu
om pute
pu terr pr
te programming,
progra raamm
mmin ing,
in g,
carpentry,
ca
arpen ntry,y or so
y, soft-skills such
oft-sskills suuch aass cocommunication,
comm
mmuuniccat
mm atio
ion,
io n, pproblem
robblem
ro m ssolving
olvi
olving
n ski skills
kill
ki that
llss th
ll hat
would
w oulld en enhance
enhhancce th the chances
he chance ces ooff eemployment
ce mplo
mp loyymen
lo ymene t an and eeconomic
nd econcon
onom
omiic emp
om empowerment.
mpow
mp ower
ow erm
er mentnt.
nt
Vocational
Vocati
Vo tion
ti onal tra
on training
r iningg can he
ra l iindividuals
help ndiv
nd ivid
iv u ls iidentify
dua d nt
de ntif their
ifyy th
if thei interests,
e r in
inte
tere
te stss, sstrengths
r st trren
engt hs aand
gths
gt n
nd
goals
goala s giving
al n them an ave
ng avenue
enuee toto mmake
ake in
ak informed
nfo
form
rmed
rm ed ddecisions
ecissio
ec ons aabout
bout
bo their
ut the career.
heir ca areeer.
These sk
Th skills
skil
i ls makee them w workplace
orkp
or kplaace rea
kp ready
eaddy bby
ea y tteaching
eac
achi
ac hing
hi ng sskills
kill
killss th
ll at aare
that essential
re es
re sseentiaal
forr securing
securing emp employment
plo
l yment and getting success. Vocational training may
include the use of adaptive technology to overcome barriers while seeking
employment. Entrepreneurship training programmes, clubs of vocational
training give support to individuals with disabilities to venture towards self-
employment or start their own business for economic self-sufficiency. Such
workshops, training sessions are also a great way to interact with people,
develop meaningful social connections, build confidence and regain a
purpose in the pursuit of life.

Employment is one of the most fundamental aspects of rehabilitation that

aims to empower individuals to achieve economic independence, self-
sufficiency and personal fulfilment. With education, vocation training, skill
advancement, job placements, workplace accommodation and advocacy
services, social support to navigate dynamic workplace relationships and
networks, individuals can move towards a successful work life. Employment
often has a positive impact on individuals’ physical and mental health.
Rehabilitation programmes also offer support in managing work stress,
288
healthcare service or even overcoming bad experiences in the work-life. Professional Ethics
Counselling, peer support, advocacy to address these challenges are also
helpful to many.

13.5.4 Government Initiatives Towards Rehabilitation

The central government has been providing grant-in-aid to non-governmental
organizations over successive five-year plans through various schemes for
projects relating to rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, including the
Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme that covers components of
education, vocational training, employment assistance and assistance for
independent living.9 There are also Scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons
for Purchase/ Fitting of Aids/ Appliances (ADIP). Community-based
rehabilitation can be more accessible and culturally sensitive for persons with
disabilities, especially if they are in rural areas. Here volunteers, community-
based organizations can play a vital role. The health-care system should
become more person-centric where the rights of the citizen is always kept in
mind.

There
There is als also
lsoo ththee RaRashtriya
Rashshtr
triy
triya Bal Swa Swasthya
asthy ya K Karyakram
aryyakrramm ((RBSK),
RBSK SKK), underr the
National
National Health
al Hea alt
lthh MiMission,
iss
ssio
ion, T
io Theh Min
he Ministry
nistryy of Health
of Healt th & Fam Family
mily W Welfare,
elffare,
Government
Goveverrnmeent ooff In India,
ndiaa, which ch
h was launched
as laun ncheed in i 202013
013 fofor eaearlyy ide identification
entifficaation
and
andd in intervention
nte
t rvventiion for children n wiwith
w th health
h heaealthh co conditions
ondiitioons and nd ddisabilities,
isaabiliities,
particularly
parrticuularly
pa those
y tho ose frofrom
om bi birth
rth to 118
birt 8 yeyyears
ars ooff aage
ge ((Kumar,
K maar,
Ku r eett al.
al., 2021).
l., 20 021)). HeHere
H re
screening
screen
sc ning fofor
or birth de defects,
efe c s, nnutritional
fect utriti
tional deficiencies,
al def diseases,
ficieencies, disea disabilities
asees,, disisab
sab
a ilities and
developmental
develo
de lopmen nta
tall deddelays
lays are done.
ree do This
one. Thi process
is pro ocesss of eearly ly ddetection
arly
ar ettec
ecti
tion
ti on off he health
healalth
al th
conditions
cond
co i nss and ddisabilities
n ittio allows
isabilitiees allo timely
lowss tim mely in iintervention
tervr ention aand ndd ttreatment
reat
re atme
at mennt too be
me begin,
begigin,
gi n,
whether
w et
wh e herr ththey
hey
ey bee medi medical,
diccal, ssurgical
urgi
giical or rehabilitative.
o reh habillitative. T The goal
hee goaoall is tto
oa promote
o pr
promot otee
ot
healthcare
heal
a th
al c ree aass well as im
hca impart
mpapart knowledge
rt kno owl
w edge g abo
ge about immunization,
out imm munu izizat
attio n,, nnutrition
ion, utri
ut t onn aand
riti
ri nd
hygiene
hygien
hy ppractises.
enee pr
en acti
tiise
s s. R RBSK
BSK
BS works
K work
wo orkss in iintegration
ntegraation w with
itth ththe
he Na National
N tion
onaal H Health
ealtth
ea
Mission
Miss
Mi sssion ususing
usiningg th existing
the exis
exxisti ng hhealthcare
sting ealthc
hcare infras
hc infrastructure re aand
asstructure nd rresources.
essouurcrces. It aalsolsso
brings iin n various stakeholders rs tto
o join their m mission,
ission, including governmental
agencies, nnon-governmental
no n go
n- gove
vern
rnmental organizations, academic institutions,
community-based organizations for reaching out and bringing in the change
needed in child healthcare services.

A proposed idea could be to use mobile medical units (MMU) for the
population residing in rural or remote areas. The facilities that these medical
units have, are– free medicines, diagnostic tests, counselling and preventive
services like periodic testing of drinking water, etc. working closely with
medical officers in the block or panchayat level ensure that the van and its
services reaches to the truly remote and vulnerable areas of the country. The
method is not only accessible but also efficient and cost-effective as a
healthcare scheme. Along with government schemes and efforts,
philanthropic efforts, public-private partnerships, media awareness raising
campaigns also play a vital role in addressing the healthcare disparities that

9
Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme. Dept. of Empowerment of Persons with
Disabilities. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. New Delhi.
Accessed online at: https://grants-msje.gov.in/ddrsguidelines Accessed on: 10/02/2024 289
Professional Ethics, affect people with disabilities. They can not only devise healthcare policies
Policies and Acts
and influence change, assist healthcare providers to improve services, but
also pool resources through Public-Private partnerships to enhance
affordability and accessibility of healthcare services. Non-government
organizations (NGOs) or government departments can come together to build
newer community-based organizations for people with disabilities. The role
of the media also becomes very important as they would raise awareness and
push for inclusive healthcare facilities. Better healthcare facilities would in
turn enable people with disabilities to actively participate in the socio-
economic sphere (TOI, 2023).

While rehabilitation programmes have been introduced and implemented, it

is not without barriers. Often financial constraints prevent people from
accessing rehabilitation. Rural or remote areas in India have few active
healthcare centres or hospitals which have rehabilitative facilities or
equipment. Transportation to hospitals become stressful, the infrastructure of
the clinic is also not accessible for persons with disabilities, making
rehabilitation quite t ddifficult.
te iffi
ifficcult. Even educational institutions, workplaces
seldom have an aaccessible
ccesssi
sibble infrfras
astruc
uctu
t re oorr in
infrastructure incl
clusive atti
inclusive itu
tude
d . Teac
attitude. ache
h rs,
Teachers,
h
healthcare pprofessionals
healthcare rofeessio
i nalls ooften
io ftenn hav
avee ddeep
have eeep sseated
eate
tedd pr
te pprejudices
ejjud
u icces tha at hi
that hind
n er ssuch
hinder uch
meas
asur
asu es ((Kumar,
measures Kummar,r ett aal.,l.,, 20 012)). A
2012). lonng with
Along th
h suc ucch ba
such bbarriers,
rrie
i rs,, eth hical
ethical
co
ons
n idder
e atio
ons hav
considerations ve to
have o bbee ke ept inn m
kept innd w
mind hilee pproviding
while ro
ovi
v diing rrehabilitative
ehaabiilitattivee
servic
ices.
ic
services.

M edica
Medical cal – Thee as aassistive
sistive te ech
c nollogiies
technologies e must develop in the way that it
baala
l ncees the
balances he positiv ives and
iv
positives nd nnegative
egat
eg a iv
ve imimpap ctts to tthe
impacts he iindividual
n iv
nd ivid
i ua
id uall us
uusing
ing it aass we
in w
well ll
as avo oids th
avoids the ri isk ooff harmin
risk harminging ot
in othehers
he
others.rs. Al
rs All he eal
alth
thca
th care
ca
healthcare re w o ke
or
workerskers
rss m
mustustt en
us nsu
sure
ensure re tthat
hatt
ha
in
ndivi
viidual
individuals alss wit th ddisabilities
with i abilitiees ar
is are ininfo
form
fo rmed
rm
informed e aabout
boututt ttheir
heir
he irr ccondition
ondi
on ditionn aand
di nd cconsent
onseent
on
only
on ly aftfter
fte it, cconsent
er
after onseent is primary in all medical treatment and procedures that
come
mee w ith re
with rrehabilitation
habiliitation iinitiatives.
nitiiattiv
ves
es. Cu
Cult tur
ural
Cultural a ssensitivity
ensi
en siti
si tivvity w
ti henn in
he
when inteteraacttin
te
interacting ingg wi
withth
indi
in div
dividual
individuals als from a div
al iv
verse
diversese bbackground
ackkgrroun
ac rounnd iss eethically
thiical
th ally
ally nnecessary.
eceessa
ec sary.. Pain in
mana age
gement, phys
management, ysiotherap
ys
physiotherapy apyy ar
ap arere of
oftten do
ten
often one
donene bby y memenn in n ppublic
ubli
ub lic hhealthcare
li eallthcare
th e
cen
ce ntres, rules and regulations must be in place to prevent sexual harassment
centres,
off girls
i l and d women with ith di biliti
disabilities. P
Promotion ti off di
dignityit and d respect, t
avoiding stigmatising language and behaviour is primary to providing
healthcare. Doctors and healthcare professionals must not discriminate
among their patients when caring for them.

Social – Consent, again, is an important aspect which needs to be looked into

from the ethical perspective. People using assistive technologies,
rehabilitation services must be aware of the implications of it, the
surveillance (especially digitally connected devises) have on lives. Often
technology institutions collect personal data and have a surveillance
mechanism in place. It becomes an ethical consideration where privacy may
be infringed. Rehabilitation also requires that healthcare workers are ethically
required to be trained about services at the local level and become disability
sensitive staff. The programmes should also be inclusive to people from all
socio-economic status or types of disability. Along with this, rehabilitation
centres should be culturally sensitive recognizing and respecting different
290
cultural beliefs and practices and preferences of people with disabilities. Professional Ethics
Autonomy of patients should be respected by healthcare workers, where
persons with disabilities would get ample support for exercising their right of
self-determination.

Legal – Professionals must adhere to ethical standards while providing care

and support to individuals with disabilities. Legally, they must maintain
confidentiality of information and issue sensitive guidelines to all medical
and professional staff to keep away from unauthorised disclosure of
information. Any treatment must be initiated within the rehabilitation centre
and persons with disabilities should be informed of the nature, risks, benefits
and alternatives of proposed intervention to facilitate an informed decision
about their care. Rehabilitation professionals must avoid conflicts of interests
that could compromise their ability to provide unbiased care. Professionals
must also establish and maintain an appropriate boundary, maintain integrity
and dignity of the person in care. There should be a restraint on
unprofessional behaviour and regulations to pr pprevent
event sexual abuse of women
with disabilities. Healthcare professionals ar aaree alsoo legally and ethically
oobligated
ob ligated to report
rep
port ab
abuse, neglect or ha harm
rm vulnerable
m too vuln nera le cclients/
erab lien
liennts ppatients.
t / pa tien
ents
ts.. In
I
ccase
ase of an external
any exte ernal factor
al facto ppreventing
torr pr eventiing ccare,
are,
e pr professionals
rofeessio l sshould
ionaals ensure
houuld ensu s ree
su
ccontinuity
ontin uity ooff ca
nui care
r by
re coordinating
y coororrdi
d natiting
ti with
n wit other
th ot healthcare
therr hea carre pproviders,
althca rovidderss, aagencies
genncies
aand
nd ssupport
uppport sservices
erv
vic es ffor
ices or their cclient’s
l en
li nt’ rehabilitation
t s re
rehabbilita
t tion journey.
n jouurn
ney.

13.6
13.66 AWARENESS
AW
WAREN
NES
SS AND
AN
ND TRAINING
TRA
AINING
Aw ren
Awareness
Awar e ess an andd training g init
initiatives
tiativ
ves aare
re tto
o fosterr a bbetter
e terr un
et unde
understanding,
dersta
de tand
ta ndin
nd ing,
in g,
ppromote
pr omoto e ininclusivity
inclusiv vity and empower
d emmpop wer in individuals
indivi
v dual
vi a s with disabilities
h dis isab
abil
bil
ilittie (DEPWD,
ies (DEP EPWD
EP WD,
WD
2024).
200244). Government
Gov vernm e t aagencies,
men genci
c es
cies, NGNGOs, disability
GOs, disa advocacy
ability addvocacy groups often
organize
orga
gani
ani z ccampaigns
nize ampaig
am igns to
ig educate
o edduccate th general
thee gene public
n ral pu
ne about
ublic abo
bout
bo utt tthe various
he var ario
ar ous kkinds
io nds ooff
in
disabilities,
disabi
di ili
liti
ties their
ess, thei causes
ir ca uses and cchallenges
caus halllenge
ha individuals
ges facedd by ind
ge div
vid
duals
uals w with
ithh ddisabilities.
it isa
sabi
sa bili
biliti
litiiess.
These
Th campaigns
hesse camp mpai
mp aign
gnss are aimed
arre ai
aime
m d to removee stigma stigma,
ma,, prej
ma pprejudices,
rej
ejud
uddicces,, pr promote
proomotte
omot
acceptance
acceptan ance
ce and understanding ng iin
n society. Educational institutions also play a
vital role in raising
rais
i ing awareness within their curriculum or training their
teachers and students on inclusive practices. Workshops, seminars aimed at
sensitizing community members are very important. Healthcare professionals
also need refresher trainings, opportunities of professional development to
hone their skills and learn more on disability etiquette, accessible
communication techniques and ways in which they could respect different
cultures and individuals with disabilities hailing from them. Accessible
training materials for training and awareness campaigns. This includes
materials in braille, large fonts, audio and sign language. Websites and
educational materials too must be designed with accessibility features.
Training programmes should also be on assistive technology and devices that
help persons with disabilities to maximize their independence and
participation within various aspects of life. The Government of India has the
National Action Plan for Skill Development in Disability, Accessible India
Campaign and various schemes under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Act, 2016 that promote awareness and training on disability issues. 291
Professional Ethics, Medical – All awareness programmes must stress the ethical standards must
Policies and Acts
be adhered to when providing medical care for persons with disabilities. The
awareness and training camps must ensure that it respects cultural diversity of
people with disabilities. The awareness about rights must also include
healthcare professionals knowing that individuals with disabilities have the
right to make decisions about their own healthcare and one must involve
them in the decision-making process.

Social – Public awareness is about educating people about the challenges and
experiences of people with disabilities which will foster a more inclusive and
compassionate society. Thus, the goal is to not know exceptional stories, but
know how society has also created disabling environments. Ethically, one
must be trained to challenge stereotypes and stigma associated with
disability. Misconceptions must be addressed to promote positive portrayals
of individuals with disabilities. Teachers should raise disability awareness in
school curricula and extracurricular activities to foster a more inclusive
generation. Awareness should also include intersecting forms of
discrimination on gend nderr, caste, and socio-economic status to promote
gender,
inclusivity. Leaders rs eme
merg
rging from
emerging om ind ndiv
i idua
individualsuals w ith disabiliti
it
with ties
es must al
disabilities also
s be
aware of fo
aw osteriingg an all-
fostering -disa
saabiliity iinclusive
all-disability ncllusiive env
nvironnmeent andd not
nv
environment o pr
ot rommote
promote
prej
ejud
eju ices w
ud
prejudices ithiin or
within oorganizations.
rgannizatioons.

Legaga
Legalal – CoConsen
Consent nt iss again aann im
impo ort
importantrtaant aspe ect w
aspect henn ge
when enerrating
ra ng
generating n aawareness
waare
r neess aand
nd
traini
ing. Pe
training. Person
Personsns wi
w
withth ddisabilities
isaabillit
is i ie
iess mu
must nnot ot bbee forceded iinto
nto or
orga
g ni
ga n zation. Le
organization. Lega
gaal
Legal
p
pr oteccti
t on aagainst
protection gain nst exploitativ
exploitative ve te nddennci
tendenciesc es must be in place for people and
in
ndivid dualss who
individuals o us
uusee sucuchh tr
uc
such traia ni
ning
training ng ccampaigns
ampa
am paig
pa igns
ignss aass smmokokes
escr
es c eeens ffor
cr
smokescreens or ttheir
h irr
he
ille
egall ac
illegal cti
tivitiees. NGOs aand
activities. ndd ootherther
ther oorganizations
r an
rg niz
izat
atio
at ions
io ns aare
re eethically
thic
thical
ic ally
y bbound
ound
ound tto o
prreven
e t vi
en
prevent vviolence
io
olencce orr discrimi minaation
mi
discrimination ti n w ithi
ithinn th
hi
within hei
e r or
their rga
gani
niza
nizati
za tion
tionss.
on
organizations.

Check
Ch
hec
eck
k Your
Yoour Progress
Pro
ogr
g ess 2
11)) Ex
Explain
Exp immunization
plain the im
mmuniiza
zation pprogrammes
tion
ti ro
ogr
grammmees ffrom
am om a ddisability
rom isab
isab
bil
ilit
ityy pe
it perspective.
per
rspe
pectiv
pe ive.
iv
…………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………

2) Elucidate disability ethics.

…………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………

3) Delineate the goal of Occupational Therapy.

…………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………

4) Define rehabilitation.
…………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………

292
13.7 SUMMARY Professional Ethics

To sum up, let us take a quick recap. This Unit gives a snapshot of the public
healthcare system in India and its services related to persons with disabilities.
It discusses the status of healthcare in India, discussing the various healthcare
and insurance schemes that Government of India has introduced. While these
schemes, programmes and initiatives have been implemented, there still
remain several barriers that individuals with disabilities encounter to access
healthcare facilities, which have been discussed in detail. Focussing on three
key ways of healthcare programmes for people with disabilities –
immunization, rehabilitation and intervention, awareness and training, this
module discussed the ways in which provisions are made for its
dissemination as well as the ethical considerations in the medical, social and
legal aspects that have to be kept in mind while planning, and executing any
healthcare benefit.

13.8 KEYWORDS
Ethics
E thics : A sete ooff moral pr
et principles,
rincippless, esp
especially
peciallyly
y one
ones
ness re
rrelating
laatinng tto
o or
or
affirming
affi
affirm
rm specified
ming a speciffied ggroup,
rou field
up, fiield form
d orr for conduct.
rm off condu uct.

IImmunization
mm
muni
niza
ni z ti
tion : P rocess by
Process y whi h ch
which h ressista
t ncee to
resistance o dis
isseasee iiss ac
disease cquuired
acquiredd or
induced
indu
in duce
duced in pplants,
l ntts, anim
la animals, humans.
malss, hu
uma
manns..

Publiic Health
Pu
Public h : Is
Is the
th
he sccie
i ncee off pprotecting
science roteectin
i g and impr
in p oviingg the health of
improving
people
peopple and
l an their
heir ccommunities.
nd th ommmunin ties.

Rehabilitation
Reh
Re habiili tion : Set
l tati
ti iinterventions
Set of in terrven
rv nti ons ddesigned
tio g ed to optimise ffunctioning
esign unctitioniing andd
reduce
re
edu
ducece ddisability
i ab
is bil
ilit
ity in
it individuals
n indiv with
viduals w health
ithh he
eal h cconditions
a th ondi
on d tion
di onss in
on
interaction
int
in te
teractioon wwith
ith ttheir environment.
heir envvironmeent.

13.9 REVIEW
REVIEW QUESTIONS
QUE
ESTIONS
1) How does public health policy impact lives of persons with disabilities?

2) Discuss in detail, the initiatives of the states in India to address public

health concerns around disability.

3) How does disability affect access to public health services? Discuss in

detail.

4) What measures need to be put in place to ensure that ethical practices

guide access to public health services for persons with disabilities?

5) Discuss the importance of rehabilitation in lives of persons with

disabilities.

6) How can training ensure that ethical guidelines for treatment and
rehabilitation of persons with disabilities are followed?
293
Professional Ethics,
Policies and Acts
13.10 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING
Altman, B., 2014. Definitions, concepts, and measures of disability. Annals of
epidemiology, 24(1), pp. 2-7.

Bajpai, N. & Goyal, S., 2004. Primary Health Care in India: Coverage and
Quality Issues, s.l.: Working Paper 15, Center on Globalization and
Sustainable Development.

Barbara M. Altman, Definitions, concepts, and measures of disability, Annals

of Epidemiology, Volume 24, Issue 1, 2014, Pages 2-7,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2013.05.018.

Barman, D. & Dutta, A., 2013. Access and barriers to immunization in West
Bengal, India: quality matters.. Journal of health, population, and nutrition,
31(4), p. 510.

DEPWD, 2024. Aw Awareness

waren
enes
ess Generation and Publicity (AGP) & In Service
Training. [Online] Ava Available
vaail
ilab
able at: https://depwd.gov.in/awareness-generation-
in-service-training/[Accessed
in-service-t
traiinin
i g//[Acccesssed 02 Mar
in March
arrch 22024].
0224]..

Disabi
Disability
D bility D
bi Division,
ivission,
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Ministry
inistryy off Soci
Socialial JJustices
ussticees an
and
nd E Empowerment.
mpowwermeent. N National
atioonal
Policy
Poli
liicy
c ffor
or Persons
Perssonss with
w itth Disabilities.
Diisabbilitiees. Available
Av vai
a la
labble from:
from
o :
om
https://www.india.gov.in/disability-division-ministry-social-justice-and-
https: ://
/ ww
ww.ind dia.go
g v.in
in/d
/d
disab
abil
ilit
ity-
y-did vissionn-m
di -miinistrry-
y social
all-j
-jus
usti
tice
ce-and
d-
eempowerment.
em pow wermment. [[Last
Laast accessedd on 22018 018 N
01 Novov 24]

Ghosh,
Gh hosh,, N. & Ba Banerjee,
anerj R.,, 20
r ee, R.
R 2021.
2 . Inclusion
2021
21 Incl
In Persons
clusiion of P
cl erso
ersons with
ns w Disabilities
ithh Di
it Disa
sabi
sa es iin
bilities
bi n Th
Thee
Primary
Pr rim
i ary He Health
H alth
hCCare System
are Syst tem iin India,
n In dia, Kolkata,
Indi
di ta, IIndia:
Koolkat
ata ndia
nd
dia Unpublished
ia: Un
Unpupubblis
pu blis Report,
ishedd R epo
port
rt,,
rt
IInstitute
In i utee ooff Dev
sttit Development
evelop
opment S
op Studies
tudi Kolkata.
dies K
di ollkata.

Gudlavalleti,
Guudl
d av
valleeti V.S.M.,
ti, V.S.M.
M , 2018. ChChallenges
Chal
alle
alleng
le es iin
n es accessing
n ac
acc
cess
ssin
ss ingg he
in health
heal th ccare
alth
al aree ffor
ar ppeople
or pe op
ple
with
wit
wi disability
th disa ility in tthe
sab South
h Sou
he Asian
uth A an ccontext:
sian review.
onntexxt:: A re ew. International
eviiew Inte
Intern
ternat
rn atio
ationa
io nall jjournal
na ourrnal of
environmental
envi
v ronmental rese
vi research
seearch and public
d pub hhealth,
blic he allth, 15(11), p.2366.
p.23
2366
6 .

Health for Persons with Disabilities in India Prepared for NationalCentre for
Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP)Health for Persons
with Disabilities in India; 2009. Available from:www.ncpedp.org.

James, J. et al., 2019. Swavlamban Health Insurance scheme for persons with
disabilities: An experiential account. Indian journal of Psychiatry, 61(4), pp.
369-375.

Karna, G., 1999. United Nations and the rights of disabled persons: a study
in Indian perspectives. New Delhi: APH Publishing.

Kickbusch, I., 2003. The Contribution of the World Health Organization to a

New Public Health and Health Promotion. American Journal of Public
Health, 93(3), pp. 383-388.

Kumar, N. et al., 2021. Challenges, barriers, and good practices in the

294 implementation of Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram in Jodhpur, India..
Annals of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India), 57(4), pp. 237- Professional Ethics
243.

Kumar, S., Roy, G. & Kar, S., 2012. Disability and rehabilitation services in
India: Issues and challenges. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care,
1(1), pp. 69-73.

Lewis, M. & MacPherson, K., 2008. Public Health in Asia and the Pacific: an
Introduction. In: M. J. Lewis & K. MacPherson, eds. Public Health in Asia
and the Pacific: Historical and comparative perspectives. New York, USA:
Routledge, pp. 1-10.

NCPEDP, 2009. National Committe on the Rights of Persons with

Disabilities, s.l.: NCPEDP.

O'Neill, J. et al., 2020. Vaccination in people with disability: a review.

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 16(1), pp. 7-15.

Ramachandra SS, et al. Access to health ca ccare

re andd employment status of
ppeople
people with disabilities in South India India,
a, tthe SIDE
he SID DE (S(South
outh IIndia
(Sou nd
dia
Disability
yEv
Evid
idence
id c ) st
DisabilityEvidence) study. BM Publi
MC
BMC ic He
Public ealth
th
Healthh 2014;14:1:1
11225
2014;14:1125

Senj jam
am, S.
Senjam, S &S in
ngh, A., 20
Singh, 020
2 . Ad
2020. A dreessing
Addressing ng ttheh hhealth
he ealtth need
eds off pe
needs eopple w
people ith
with
ddisabilities
isa
sabiliiti
t es iin
n In
ndi
dia. Indian journal
India. journ
rnnal ooff ppublic
ubliic hhealth,
ealthh, 64(11), pp. 779-82.
64(1), 9 822.
9-

TO 22023.
TOI, 023. A disabili ityy-i
- nclu
lusive hhealthcare
lu
disability-inclusive ealt
lth
hcarre de
ddelivery
livery syssteem is thee nneed
system eed of the
hour. [Online]] A
ho vail
vailaable at: hhttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/
Available ttps:://tim
mesoffindid a.indi
diiat
atim
imes
im e .com
es om/b
om /blo
/b logss/v
lo /voi
oice
oi cees/
aa-disability-inclusive-healthcare-delivery-system-is-the-need-of-the-hour/
a-d saabi
di b lity
ty-inclu
lusive-heaalthcaare-d delive v ry-ssyste
ve t m-is-the
te he-n
he nee
eedd-of
d-off-t
-the
the
he-houour/
ou r/
[Accessed
[A
Accessse
s d 11
1 Feb
February
ebruary y 22024].
0244].

Unit
ited
ted N
United attio
ions
n , 20
Nations, 22016.
016
16.
6 Convention
C nv
Co nvention
o on Th
on T
Thee Righ
g ts of Pe
Rights Pers sons
Personsons wi
with
th D isab
is a ililit
itie
it
Disabilities.ies.
ies.
[Online]
[O
Online] Available
e] Availab ble at: hhttps://social.desa.un.org/issues/disability/crpd/
ttps:///s
/social.deesa.un.or
org/
or g/is
issu
issuues
es/d
/diisaabil
/d abillitty/
y/ccrpd
pd//
pd
convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-crpd
convven
ention-o-o
on-
n th
the-
e-ri
righ
ghts
hts
t -o
of-person
o s-with-disab
on a ilities-
s-cr
s- crpd
crpd
[Accessedd 8 FeF
February
bruary 202
2024].
24]
4.

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, 2023. 8 Types of

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WHO, 2023. Rehabilitaion. [Online] Available at: https://www.who.int/news-

room/fact-sheets/detail/rehabilitation#:~:text=Rehabilitation%20is%20
defined%20as%20%E2%80%9Ca,in%20interaction%20with%20their%20en
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Winslow, C.-E. A., 1920. The Untilled Fields of Public Health. Science,
51(1306), pp. 22-33.

295
Professional Ethics,
Policies and Acts UNIT 14 ACTS AND POLICIES*
Structure

14.1 Introduction
14.2 Various Acts Related to Disability
14.2.1 Person with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full
Participation) Act, 1995
14.2.2 Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
14.2.3 National Trust Act 1999
14.2.4 Mental Healthcare Act, 2017
14.2.5 Rehabilitation Council of India Act

14.3 Civil Rights and Legislation

14.4 International Treaty
y in Disability-
y United Nations Convention on the
Rights of Pe
Persons
erson with
ns wi
w th Disabilities (UNCRPD), 2006
14.5 Government
Gove
vern
rnme
m nt Schemes
nt Schemes ffor
hem PwD
or P w
wD
14.5.1
14.5.
.1 Sch
Scheme
c emme off Assist
Assistance
tancee to D
Disabled
isab
bled Pers
Persons
sonss for Purchase/Fitting
Purc
rcchase
se/F
/Fit
itti
ting ooff A
ti Aids
idss and
Applliancees
Appliances
114.5.2.
4 5..2. Assistance
4. Assist
s ancee to Organizations
Orga
ganizaatiions forr thee Di
isabled
Disabled
14.
.5.
5.3
14.5.3 Schem
emes ffor
em
Schemes or E ntre
reepr
pren
e eurs
en rsship andd Sk
Entrepreneurship Skiill Devel
Skill lopment
Development
14
4.5.3
. .1 National H
14.5.3.1 a dicaapp
an ppeed Finance and Development Corporation
Handicapped
1 .5.3
14 . .2 Deendayal
14.5.3.2 Deeen
enda
daya
da yall Di
ya isa
sabl
bled
bled Reh
Disabled hab
abil
ilit
ilitat
itatio
ationn Sc
io
Rehabilitation Sche
heme
he
Schememe
14.5.3
. .3 Skill T
14.5.3.3 raiining
ni g thr
Training hrough the
through he N atio
io
onall In
National nst
s itut
utee
ut
Institute
14.5.3
. .4 National Action Plan for Skill Development
14.5.3.4
14.5.3
. .5 National
14.5.3.5 Nattioonall Skilll D
Skill ev
velop
oppmennt C
Development orrpo
pora
rati
ra tiion
Corporation
114.5.4
4.5.4
4. Schem
e e of N
Scheme attiona
nall Sc
na
National Scho
hola
ho larsshiip fo
la
Scholarship forr Persoons wi
Persons ith
hD
with isab
isab
bil
ilit
itie
iess
ie
Disabilities
14.5.5 e Schemes
er
Other

14.6
14 6 C
Concessions
i
14.7 Contemporary Challenges
14.8 Empowerment Issues
14.9 Summary
14.10 Keywords
14.11 Review Questions
14.12 References and Suggested Reading
14.13 Web Resources

_______________________
*Sandhya Limaye, Professor and Chair for Disability Studies and Action, School of Social
Work, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.

296
LEARNING OBJECTIVES Acts and Policies

After reading this Unit, you will be able to:

x Develop an understanding about the changing perspectives and

ideological approaches to the rehabilitation of persons with disability;

x Critically examine legislations, national planning efforts, and policy

formulations for recognizing the human rights of persons with disability
in India and action taken for their inclusion, development, and
rehabilitation using the rights-based perspective;

x Develop an understanding about the role of government organizations,

NGOs, and international organizations in providing services to disabled
persons; and

x Acquaint various assistance and concessions provided by the

Government for the overall rehabilitation of ppeople
p with disabilities.

14.1 INTRODUCTION
Globally,
G lobally y, ppersons
ersonss withth disab
disabilities
bil
ilit
ities hav have
ve bee
been
en rrecognized
ecoggnizzed
d ass on
oonee of tthe
he larg
largest
gestt
m inori
minorityritty ggroups
ri roup
roupss th
up hat hhave
that ave be
av bbeenen vuln neraable to
vulnerable o nneglect,
egglect, de epriivattion,
deprivation,
ssegregation,
egr
greegattio
i n,, and
ndd eexclusion.
xclusion. IIn
xc n th tthee latte alf of thee 200th cent
er hhalf
latter century,
turyy, mmost
ost
cou
co untrries as
countries ssistted
assisted dP errso
sons
Personsns with D isaabi
bilitiess (Pw
Disabilities P D)
D), ra
(PwD), rang gin
ranging ng from
frrom ccharity
hari
rity
ty and
institu
in utionall caree to tr
institutional trea
e tm men
treatmentent an nd rre
and ehabililitaation through
rehabilitation gh governm nmental and
nm
governmental
non-g
no government
non-governmental ntal
nt al eefforts.
fforts
tss. Af
A ter Ind
After diaa’s iindependence,
India’s ndeependenence,, ththee Go
Gove ernme
Government mentn of
IIndia
In d a (G
di ((GoI)
oII) acce ept
p ed its rresponsibility
accepted espoonsib bilitty to thhis sizable bu
this bbutt ma
margrgin
rg inal
in aliz
al
marginalizedi edd ggroup.
roup
roup..
up
I hhas
It as fformulated
ormmulateed variou ouus pr
various rogra raamm
programmes mes fo or the
for h welfa are
welfarer aand
nd rrehabilitation
ehab
eh abil
ab i itat
ation of
at
Pw wDs.
PwDs.

Th
T he la
The ast
s ttwo
last w decad
wo es ooff the 20th
ades
decades t
century
centuury havee been eespecially
sp iall
speci iallly mo
m
momentous
m nt
me ntou
ous fo
ou for
or
Pers
rsson
o s wi
Persons with
th D isab
isabil
ilit
itie
Disabilitiesiess wo
ie worldwid
ide.
ide This per
worldwide. e iod wi
er
period itn
tnes
esssed
es sed in
witnessed nteern
natio
onaal an
international andd
nationalal iinitiatives
nitiatives for refor orm
orms in legislatio
reforms on and policies for affirmative
legislation
action to improve
improvovee th
thee qquality
uality
l of life of Persons with Disability. These in turn
have changed paradigms from providing charity and welfare to Persons with
Disability to protect their rights and promote their empowerment.

In India too, the last two decades have seen tremendous changes in the
philosophy and provision of services for persons with disability. There has
been a definite movement away from the concepts of custody, care, and
treatment to the concepts of prevention, education, rehabilitation,
equalization of opportunities, and inclusion.

This unit looks at the changing perspectives and ideological approaches to the
rehabilitation of persons with disability internationally and within India,
reviews international initiatives and UN instruments about emphasizing the
human rights of this group, and critically examines the Indian government’s
policies and programmes for this group. It is significant to understand the
disability laws and laws in the context of disability and hence this unit will
improve the basic understanding of laws about disability.
297
Professional Ethics,
Policies and Acts
14.2 VARIOUS ACTS RELATED TO DISABILITY
14.2.1 Person with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities,
Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995
The PwD (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights, and Full Participation)
Act, 1995 was enacted to give effect to the “Proclamation on the Full
Participation and Equality of the People with Disabilities in the Asian and
Pacific Region.” The Proclamation was issued in a meeting of the Economic
and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Region in December 1992 in
Beijing, to launch the “Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons 1993–
2002.” The Act has 14 chapters and listed seven conditions of disabilities,
which were blindness, low vision, leprosy cured, hearing impairment,
locomotor disability, mental retardation, and mental illness. The Act adopted
an approach to social welfare in respect of PwDs and the main focus was on
pprevention and early y detection of disabilities,, education,, and employment
p y of
the PwDs. The Ac Act
ct also
so pprovided
rovided 3% reservation in Government jobs and
educational institut
institutions.
u ions
n . It stressed making barrier-free situations as a
ns
measure
m
me asure ooff no non-discrimination.
on-d
-discrrimiinat
atio
ion. IItt aalso
io lsoo lai
laid
aid do
ai down
own
w strategie
strategies
iess fo
for the
comprehensive
comp
mprehenssive de
mp ddevelopment
v loppmeent of pprogrammes
ve rogr
gram mmees an and
nd se
services
erviicees and
nd equ
equalization
qualiizaationn of
qu
opportunities
op
ppo
p rttun
u itiees fo
for
or Pw
PwDs
wDs as afaffirmative
ffirm
mativ
ve ac
action.
ctionn.

The C Central
enttra
rall and d St
State
tate Ad
Adv
Advisory
visoory B Boards
oard
oa r s onn ddisability
isabillit
is ityy are to bbee coconstitute
constitutedtedd to
te
perform
p
pe rform
mv va
various
ariouss fufunctions
unctions as assigned
ssi
signed d und
under
nder
nd e the Act. District level Committees
are
arre alsoo too bbee co
constituted
onsts ituted
st d bbyy th
thee St
Stat
State
atee Go
at G
Government.
veern
rnme
meent nt.. Th
The
he Ch
Chief
hie
ieff Co
Comm
Commissioner
mis
issi
sion
si oner
on err
forr PwDs
PwwDss atat th
the
he ce
ccentral
ntral le
level
evell an
andd a StState CoComm
Commissioner
mmis
mm issi
is siooner
si er aatt st
stat
state
ate le
at levels
eve
vels
ls are re
appointed
apppo
poin
i teed with
in h pow
power
wer to momoni
monitoritor
to th
thee fu
fund
funds
n s ddisbursed
isbururse
ur sedd by tthe
se he Centr
Centraltral
tr al aand
nd SState
taate
Governments,
Go overn nme
m nts, s and also to take steps to safeguard the rights of the PwDs. One
s,
of thehe m
most
ostt iimportant
mporttant secsections
ctiions
ns ooff th
thee Pw
PwD D AcActt iss aan n op
opportunity
ppo
porrtun
rtun
unitityy pr
it pprovided
rov
ovid
ov ided
id ed ttoo
PwDs
Pw wDs for or redressal a of th their
hei
eir grgrie
grievances
eva
vanc
ncess thr
nc through
hrou
hr ough
ou gh a ccomplaint
ompl
om plai
plaintt m
ai mechanism
echa
ec hanismsm thathat
at
uses ttheir
heir quasi-jud
quasi-judicial
uddicial po
powers
owewers uunder
ndder
er tthis
his ac
act. IItt ha
hass be
been nmmade
adee ap
ad applicable
ppliccab
able too
tthee whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir with effect from
th
July 1996.

14.2.2 Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016

After India signed and ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights
of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2007, the process of enacting new
legislation in place of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 (RPwD Act,
1995) began in 2010 to make it compliant with the former. After a series of
consultation meetings and a drafting process, the Rights of PwD Act, 2016
(RPwD Act, 2016) was passed by both houses of the Parliament. It was
notified on December 28, 2016, after receiving the presidential assent.
Principles stated to be implemented for empowerment of persons with
disabilities (PwD) are respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy
including the freedom to make one's own choices, and independence of
persons. The Act lays stress on non-discrimination, full and effective
participation and inclusion in society, respect for difference and acceptance
298
of disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity, equality of Acts and Policies
opportunity, accessibility, equality between men and women, respect for the
evolving capacities of children with disabilities, and respect for the right of
children with disabilities to preserve their identities. The principle reflects a
paradigm shift in thinking about disability from a social welfare concern to a
human rights issue.

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act was enacted in the year
2016 and came into force on 19th April 2017. The major changes include
improved definitions and operationalized terms, increased focus on the rights
of PwDs, measures to reduce discrimination, a movement toward an inclusive
approach in education and work, the process of appointing a limited guardian,
and the section on offenses and penalties for contravening the rules and how
the provisions need to be implemented. The Act appears to follow the initial
covenants of the World Health Organization (WHO) and focuses to a great
extent on ensuring that there is less discrimination, more barrier-free access,
and more usable rights. The moves from charity-based to rights-based laws
and from a purely medical model to a biopsbiopsychosocial
sychoosoci
c al model are certainly
y
steps in the right direction.

IInn the RPwD RPw

PwD Act, Acct,t of 20 2016, ththe
he li
llist
st has beenn expanded
ex
xpand ded
d from
fro
rom 7 too 21 conditions
conndittio
i nss
aand nd itt now w also
alsso includes
inclu
in udes cerebral
cer
erreb
e raal pals
palsy,
sy, dwa
dwarfism,
warf r ism
m, mmuscular
usscula
lar dystrophy,
dyystroophhy, acid
aattack
ttaack vvictims,
ictiims, ha
ic hhard
rd of hearin
hearing,
in
ng,g sspeech
peeech an and
nd la language
anguuage
ge ddisability,
isab
is abilityy, sspecific
ab peccific
llearning
eaarnin
ar ng dis disability,
sabil ilityy, aut
autism
utis
i m spectrum
is spectr trum disorder,
disordder,, chr
chronic
ron
onic
ic nneurological
euro
eu rolo
logig call di
disorders
iso
sorrders
such as mu
su multiple
ult
ltiple
l scler
sclerosis
eros
o is aandn P
nd Parkinson's
arkiins
n on'ss ddisease,
isease, blood
bloo
oood disorders
disord
di der
e s such as
haemophilia,
haem
ha mophilia, tthalassemia,
hala
ha lass
sseemiaa, anand
nd sicsickle
cklee cell an anemia,
nem
e ia, anandd mum
multiple
lttip
iple
le ddisabilities.
isab
abil
ab ilit
ili iees.
The nnomenclature
Th omeenclatu urer menta
mental al re
retardation
etard datioon is repreplaced
placed byy int intellectual
ntel
nt elllect
el ctua
uall di
ua disability
isa
sabi
biliity
bi
which
wh hic
i h is
i def
defined
e ined d as “a ccondition
onditi t on
ti n cha
characterized
ara
racteriizedd by sign
significant
nif
ifican
a t li
an limi
limitation
mita
mi tati
tationn bboth
ti oth in
intellectual
inte t ll
te l ec
e tu
ual ffunctioning
u ctio
un i niing (reasoning,
(reeason
onning,g, llearning,
earnin
i g, problem-solving)
in problem-solving) and in adaptive
bbehaviour
be haavi
viou
our wh
ou whic
which
ichh co cove
covers
vers
rss a ranrange
nge off everyd
everydayday so social
ociiall an
andd pr pra
practical
acti
tica
cal sk
ca skil
skills
ills
ls
including
inncl
c udining
ng sp
spec
specific
e ific learning g disa
di
disability
isa
sabbility
ty and autis
autismsm spe
spectrum
ecttrum
um ddisorder.”
isor
is o de
der.” ThThee AcActt
provides
prov vid
ides an el eelaborate
abbor orat
atee de
def
definition
finition n of mental illness w which
hich h is “a ssubstantial
ubbst
stannti
tial
al
disorder ooff th thinking, mo mood,
oodo , pperception,
erception, orientation, or memory that grossly
iimpairs i jjudgment,
d t bbehaviour,
h i and d capacityit tto recognize i reality lit or ability
bilit tto
meet the ordinary demands of life but does not include retardation which is a
condition of arrested or incomplete development of mind of a person,
especially characterized by sub-normality of intelligence.” Persons with
benchmark disabilities are defined as those with at least 40% of any of the
above disability. PwDs having high support needs are those who are certified
as such under section 58(2) of the Act.

The RPwD Act, 2016 provides that “the appropriate Government shall ensure
that the PwD enjoy the right to equality, life with dignity, and respect for his
or her integrity equally with others.” The Government is to take steps to
utilize the capacity of the PwDs by providing an appropriate environment. It
is also stipulated in section 3 that no PwDs shall be discriminated against on
the ground of disability unless it is shown that the impugned act or omission
is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim and no person shall be
deprived of his liberty only on the ground of disability. Living in the
299
Professional Ethics, community for PwDs is to be ensured and steps are to be taken by the
Policies and Acts
Government to ensure reasonable accommodation for them. Special measures
are to be taken to ensure women and children with disabilities enjoy rights
equally with others. Measures are to be taken to protect the PwDs from being
subjected to cruelty, inhuman, and degrading treatments and from all forms
of abuse, violence, and exploitation. For conducting any research, free and
informed consent from the PwDs as well as prior permission from a
Committee for Research on Disability to be constituted in the prescribed
manner. Under section 7(2) of the Act, any person or registered organization,
who or which has reason to believe that an act of abuse, violence, or
exploitation has been, is being, or is likely to be committed against any
PwDs, may give information to the local Executive Magistrate who shall take
immediate steps to stop or prevent its occurrence and pass appropriate order
to protect the PwDs. Police officers, who receive a complaint or otherwise
come to know of violence, abuse, or exploitation, shall inform the aggrieved
PwD of his right to approach the Executive Magistrate. The police officer
shall also inform about particulars of the nearest organization working for the
rehabilitation of th the
he PwPwDs,
wDss, the right to free legal aid, and the right to file a
complaint un unde
under
derr th
the
he prov
provisions
o is
ov isionss ooff th
this
his A
Actct oorr an
anyy ot
other
the
h r laww de
ddealing
alin
alingg with
in t ssuch
th uch
offense.
offfe
f nse. CoContraventions
ontraaven ntionns ooff tthe
h rrequirements
he eq
qui
u reemeents off thee A Actct hhave
av
ve bebbeen
en
n mmade
ade
punishable
p
puuniish
s able by a fine off aan n amou
amountunt upp too te ten
en tthousand
hoousaand ffor or ththe
he ffirst
irst
contravention
co
ont
n raveventio
ve on anandnd fiftyy thou
thousand
oussandd eextendable
xttenddablle uupp too fiv
five
ve llakhs
akhs
h ffor
hs o su
or subsequent
ubsequuentt
contraventions.
contraraavent
ntioons. At A
Atrocities
trociitiess oon
n PwPwDs
wDs
D hav have
ve been n m made
adde pu ppunishable
nish
shablee withh
sh
imprisonment
impris
im son
o me
ment ooff 6 months eextendable
xten
enda
en dabble to 5 years and a fine. Fraudulently
da
availing
av
vai
a ling
ng off th
tthee bbenefits
ene
neefits meant ffor
o P
or PwDs
wD Ds has also been made punishable.

14.2.3
14
4.2..3 The
The N
National
attional T
Trust
ru
ust A
Act,
ct, 11999
9999
The
Thhe NaNational
ati
tio
onall T
Trust
rust
s is a statutory body of the Ministry of Social Justice and
st
Empowerment,
E mpopowwerm ment, Gov
Government
o ernm men nt off IIndia,
ndiaa, se
nd sset
ett up uunder
nder
nd er tthe
he “Na
“National
Nati
Na t on
tionalal T
Trust
rust
rust for
or tthe
he
Welfare
Welf
We lfare ooff Persons
lf n withh Au Autism,
utism
sm,, Ce
sm Cere
Cerebral
ebr
bral
al PPalsy,
alsy
als , Me
sy Ment
Mental
ntaal R
nt Retardation
etaard
et ardation
on and nd
Multiple
Mult tip
ple Disabilitie
Disabilities”
i s” Actctt ((Act
Act 444
Ac 4 ooff 11999).
9999). TThe
he N
he National
attiona
ionaal Tr
Trus
Trust
ustt Ac
us A
Actt (N
(NTA
(NTA) A)
caters
cate
ca t rs to persons with developmental disabilities, whose needs for
customizedi d care and d protection
i were not bbeing i ffully
ll served d iin the
h P PwD DAAct.
The 1999 Act sets up a National Trust to enable persons with disability to
live independently by (i) promoting measures for their protection in case of
the death of their parents, (ii) evolving procedures for the appointment of
their guardians and trustees, and (iii) facilitating equal opportunities in
society.
The main objectives of this act are:
1) To ensure that persons with these disabilities are enabled and empowered
to live independently within their community and to do so with dignity
2) To support and strengthen NGOs and other registered service providers
through various schemes and programmes
3) To supervise the above activity by appointing Legal Guardians to assist
those with high support needs through District Local level Committees in
each district in India.
300
The Central Government makes the initial appointment by nominating Acts and Policies
Members of the Board, including relevant ministries, and a joint secretary,
from amongst the registered organizations out of which three Members each
shall be from voluntary organizations, associations of parents of persons with
autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and multiple disabilities.

The main activities that come under NTA are awareness and training
programmes for professionals, parents, and communities, capacity-building
programmes for teachers and other mainstream governmental personnel,
provision of funding for Day Care, Respite, and Residential care including
early intervention and vocational training, making of products made by
persons with these disabilities, health insurance through Niramaya Scheme,
registration of NGOs, and formation of Local Level Committees headed by
District Collector.

The schemes under NTA are the Aspiration (Day Care Centre) scheme,
Remote area funding scheme, Sahyogi— i revamped
reeva
v mp pedd scheme for caregivers
training and deployment, Niramaya— health heala th ins
insurance
surance scheme, Gyan
Prabha
P
Pr abha (schola
(scholarship)
lars
rshi
h p)) sscheme,
hi cheme, Uddyam
ch m Prabha
Pra
r bha
bhh (in
(incentive)
i ceentiv
in ive)
e sch
e) scheme,
chem
ch me, ArArun
Arunim
unnim
im
ffor
or mark
marketing
ketting of pproducts,
rodu
ducts, Abiline
Abil
Ab ilin
i e to pprovide
roviide infor
information
rmaatioon an
aand d ccounselling
ounnselllingg on
n
vvarious
ariou
ouus issu
issues,
sues
su es,, na
nat
national
tionnal resou
resource
ource ce
ou ccentre,
ntree, inn
innovative
nova
v tivee pro
va projects,
ojeects,, etc.

The Na
The N
National
tionnal TTrust
ru
ust fforo Welfare
or ree off P
Persons
ersoonss withth AAutism,
utis
ism,
m C
m, Cerebral
e eb
er brall PaPalsy,
Mental
M
Me ntaal Ret
Retardation
ettarda
daati
tion aand nd M Multiple
ultipple D Disabilities
isab
biliti
t es (Amen
(Amendment)
enndm mennt) A Act,
ct, 2018,
amends
amen
am nds the N National
atio
ationa
nall Tru
Trust
ust fo
for
or thee We
Welfaree off Persons withh A Autism,
uti
tism, Cerebral
Palsy,
P
Pa lsy,
y, Men
Mental
ntal
ta Re
R
Retardation
tardation n and d Mu
Multiple
ultip
iple D Disabilities
isabbilities Ac
A
Act, t, 11999.
9999. T
99 Theh bil
he bill
ill fi
il fixe
fixes
xess
xe
tthee tenu
th tenure
n re ooff thee Chairp
nu Chairperson
person n an
and
nd me
m
members
mber ers off the Boa
Board
oaardd tto
o th
thre
three
reee ye
re yyears
arrs as ffor
or
the
thhe go
gove
government,
ern
r me
ment, a Ch Chairp
Chairperson
per
e soon forr th
the tr
trust
rust co
could
ould not be appointed even after
sseveral
se veera
rall at
aattempts
temp
m ts ssince
mp ince
in cee 22012.
012
01 2. It wa
was intr
introduced
troduced
tr e and ppassed
ed asse
sedd in
se nR Rajya
ajyaa S
ajya Sabha
abbha iin
n
2018
20
018
1 and nd iiss ye
yet to be introd
introduced
odduc
uced
ed in Lo
L
Lok k Sabha. a

14.2.4 Mental
Mental Healt
Healthcare
thcare Act, 2017
India has published new mental health legislation called the Mental
Healthcare Act (MHCA) 2017, which came into force on 7 July 2018 and
replaced the Mental Health Act (MHA) of 1987. The new mental health
legislation was required because the old MHA 1987 was considered
insufficient to protect the rights of persons with mental illness in light of the
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities of
2006. Compared to its predecessor the Mental Health Act of 1987, this act
was purported to be more patient-centric and rights-based. As it involves
substantial changes from the previous MHA of 1987, the MHCA 2017 is
likely to have a major influence on mental healthcare in India.

The previous legislation, the Mental Health Act, of 1987, focused on

admission and treatment of persons with severe mental illness in mental
hospitals when they are detained against their will. However, MHCA 2017
tries to regulate almost all mental health establishments (MHEs). The Mental 301
Professional Ethics, Health Acts increase the stigma associated with psychiatric illness and with
Policies and Acts
the exuberant expression of emotions. Patients who are under section or are
frightened of being placed under a section may deliberately mask their
symptoms in an attempt to have the section lifted or to avoid sectioning.
Mental Healthcare Act 2017 aims at decriminalizing the attempt to die by
suicide by seeking to ensure that the individuals who have attempted suicide
are offered opportunities for rehabilitation from the government as opposed
to being tried or punished for the attempt. Thus, it specifically aims to protect
and promote the rights of persons with mental illness during the delivery of
healthcare in institutions and the community, and to ensure mental
healthcare, treatment, and rehabilitation in the least restrictive environment
possible. The Act has provisions for involuntary (supported) admission and
treatment of persons with high support needs in mental health institutions,
with defined procedures for those needing admission for up to 30 days and
those requiring a hospital stay of more than 30 days. Similarly, there is a
procedure for the ad admission of minors. All admissions more than 30 days are
to be notified to thee des designated
sign
gnated Mental Health Review Board (MHRB). There
is also a prov
provision
ovisisio
i n ffor
io or eemergency
mer
ergenc nccy tr
treatment
rea
e tmtmentt fo
forr ppersons
ersson
o s wiwithth men
mental
ntat l illn
illness
ln
nesss in
a he
hhealth
alth es establishment
stabllishhme
m nt oorr tthe he com
community.
mmunitty. T Thehee AAct
ct has as iintroduced
nttroduduced the
concepts
concep
co ep
pts off adva
advance
ancce dir
directives
recttivees aand
nd no
nominated
omiinatted repre
representatives;
esenntaativees; it aalso
lsoo in
includes
ncluudes
extensive
exteens
n ivve ddetails
etailss ab
about
bout thee ri
rights
igh
g ts ooff pe
ppersons
rsonns wwith
ith m mental
enntall illn
illness
nes
esss anand
nd ououtlines
utlin
ines
ine
es
the du
duties
uti
t ess ooff thee ap
appropriate
pprop pri
riat
ate go
ggovernments
vern
ve nmentts in n tthis
his rega
regard.
gard
rd.

One
On ne of the he big
biggest
ggeest contributio
contributions
i ns of the MHCA 2017 is its sig significant
gnificant
emphasis
emmphaasis oon n th
the
he ri
rights
ights of peppersons
rsson
onss wi
with
th men
mental
enta
en taal il
illn
illness,
lnes
ln ess,
es s, w
with
ithh 11 ssections
it ectiononss (1
on (18–
18–
28)
288) devoted
devoote
de tedd too thiss subject
subject.
t. The
t. These
h see iinclude
he nclu
nc lude
lud rrights
i htss to aaccess
ig cces
cc esss me
es m
mental
ntal
al hhealthcare,
ealt
ea lthc
lt hcarre,
hc
community
com
co mmun u ity
it liliving,
iving,, protection from cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment,
equality
equa
uali
ua l ty and
li ndd non-d
non-discrimination,
discrimminnattioon, iinformation,
nfor
orma
mati
ma tiionn, co
confidentiality,
nfid
nf
fid
iden
enti
en tial
ti alit
al ity,
y, rrestrictions
estric
est iccti
tion
onss on
on
thee releas
th release
a e of inf
as information
foro mation
on iinn reresp
respect
spec
sp ectt off m
ec mental
enta
tall illn
ta il
illness,
lln
nes
ess,
s, aaccess
cces
cc esss to
to m medical
edicaal
records,
recoord
rds, personal co ccontacts,
ntacts, and communicat
communication, tion, llegal
egall aid
aid,
d, andd hhow ow to make
complaints about deficiencies in the provision of services. This is a positive
development, but the existing mental healthcare resources, including mental
health professionals, and out-patient and in-patient services (including those
in the private sector) are grossly inadequate to provide for the above-
mentioned rights. Budgetary allocation for mental health is less than 1% of
the total health budget in India; this needs drastic enhancement if adequate
measures are to be taken to ensure that the rights of persons with mental
illness as stated above are not violated. It fails to take into account the role of
family caregivers who constitute the predominant informal workforce in
mental healthcare. The Act requires several initiatives from the government,
such as ensuring the availability of mental healthcare for all, and community
care and residential facilities for persons with mental illness. This is a
positive step, especially in the context of a huge mental health gap in the
country.

302
14.2.5 Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992 Acts and Policies

The Rehabilitation Council has been set up under the Societies Registration
Act XXI of 1860 vide Resolution No 22-17/83-HW.III dated 31st January
1986 to have uniformity and to ensure minimum standards and quality of
education and training in the field of special education and rehabilitation. It
was given Statutory status by an Act of Parliament, the Rehabilitation
Council of India Act, 1992 (No 34 of 1992) dated 1st September 1992
effective from 22nd June 1993. The RCI Act was amended by Parliament in
2000 (No. 38 of 2000) to make it broader based. The objectives of the RCI
Act are:
1) To regulate and monitor the training programmes in the field of
rehabilitation of disabled persons.
2) To prescribe minimum standards of education and training for various
categories of professionals dealing with persons with disabilities.
3) To regulate these standards in all train
ning iinstitutions
training nsttitutions to bring about
throughout
uniformity through
g out the country.
44)) To m ake re
make eco
c mm
mmendatition
ti
recommendationso s to th
on he M
the in
nistryy re
Ministry egaardin
ng re
regarding recoggniitionn off
recognition
qualif
qu fic
icat
atio
ions
io
qualificationsns gr
ranted
d bby
granted y un
uuniversities
iverrsitiess eetc.
tc. iin
n Ind
ndia for reh
India habiilitaation
rehabilitation
pprofessionals.
pr ofes
ofe siional
a s.
al
5) To
T enc cou
o raage
encourageg Con
o tinuuin
i g Re
Continuing ehabib litatio
bi
Rehabilitation on E ducation iin
Education n co
ccollaboration
lllabor
aboration with
oorganizations
rganizaati
tion
ons wo
on ork
kin
ing in
working n the ffield
ield
d of di
disabi
b lity.
disability.
6 To pro
6) romote research in re
promote ehab
bilitat
a ion aand
at
rehabilitation ndd special eeducation.
duc
ucat
ucatio
ation.
ion.

Thhe Ac
The A
Actt al
aalso
soo presc rib
ibes pu
prescribes unitiive act
punitive c io
ct
actionion ag
aagainst
ainsst unqualified persons delivering
servic
ices
ic
serviceses to pe pers
rson
rs onss wi
persons w ith
withth
h ddisabilities
isab
abil
bil
iliities
it R ehabi
b litation
on pprofessionals
Rehabilitation ro
ofesssio
ssioona
nals
ls ssuch
ucch as
au
udi
d olog
ogis
og ists
audiologists ts and speech pa ppathologists,
th
thol
hol
ologists t , clinical
ts al psych holoogists
ists
ts,, so
psychologists, soci
ial w
social orke
or kers
kers,
rs
workers,
speccia
iall teache
special hers
her , et
rs
teachers, etcc ar
re ccovered
are overed d uunder
nder this act ctt.
act.

Check Your Progress 1

1) What is the function of the Chief Commissioner for PwDs?

…………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………

2) Define intellectual disability as mentioned in the RPwD Act 2016.

…………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………

3) What are the objectives of the National Trust Act, of 1999?

…………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………

303
Professional Ethics,
Policies and Acts 4) Delineate the activities are covered under the National Trust Act.
…………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………

5) Why was MHA 1987 replaced with MHCA 2017?

…………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………

14.3 CIVIL RIGHTS AND LEGISLATION

Civil Rights in India include rights regarding equality before the law,
freedom of speech, freedom of expression regarding religious and cultural
freedom, freedom of assembly, and freedom of religion. Section 2 of the
Protection of the Civil Rights Act, 1955 lays down the definition of civil
rights. To eradicate te suchh uuseless
seless practices, the Indian government came up
with ‘The Protection o off CiCivil Righ
Rights
ghts AAct
c off 19
ct 11955.’
55.’
55 . This Act ca came intoo fofforce
rce
on May 8, 1911955,
555, an
and
nd ap
applies
ppliies tto
o the
h w
he whole
hoole ooff In
Indi
India.
dia.
ia TThis
hsA
hi Act
ct wa
w
wass en
eenacted
nacctedd for
the pu
ppunishment
nishmment off prea
preaching
achiingg an
and
nd to
o sto
stop
op tthe
he prac
practice
cticee ooff di
discrim
discrimination
minaatioon and
oppression
opppr
p essi
s on again
si against
instt unto
untouchables
oucchabab
bless or llower
ow
wer cas
castes
stes m
marked
arrked
edd a necnecessity
cessity
ty for thee
implementation
impllem
e en
e taation off this Act
Act.t.

The
T h In ndian
Indian n Disab
abillity Law trea
Disability eaats disab
treats bili it
disability i y as a civil right rather than a health
an
nd we
and welfararee iss
welfare sue.
e The L
issue. aw rec
Law cog
ogni
nize
ni
recognizes z s ththat
at tthehe pprimary
rima
rim ry iissue
ma ssue
ss u ffaced
aced
ac ed bbyy
disabled
dissableed ppeople
e plle iss their eexclusion
eo xclu
lusi
lusion
si on ffrom
rom th
ro mainstream
thee ma
main inst
in stream
st m aactivities
am ctiv
ct iv
vitiess of the he
society,
so
ocietetty, aand
nd hhencec the eemphasis
ence mpha
mp h siis in tthe hee Law w iiss on ffull integration
ulll inte
ul teegr
grat
atio
ationn an
io and
nd
participation.
paart
rticipipat
ipation.. It is discrimination and not impa
at impairment,
p irment,, that dis disables
isables pe ppeople.
opple.
Thee LaLaw re recognizes importance
ecognizzes the impmpoorttanc
mp ncee ooff cconsultation
onsu
on sulltat
su ltat
atiionn wi
with th ddisabled
isab
ableledd ppeople
le eop le oon
oplle
op n
issues
issu
is that
suues thahat directly
ha indirectly
y or inddirrecctly aaffect
rectly ectt tthem.
ffec
ff ec hem
em. Th
em Thehe goggovernment,
vern
ve rnnme
ment nt,, th
nt therefore,
theereeforee, hass
set up mechanisms
u mechanism consultation
ms for consultati tion wiwith
it peopl
ith people le witwith
ithh alall disabilities.
ll di
disab biliiti
ties.
i T Thus,
hus,
those
h measures are carefully avoided which remove one group’s barriers but
increase them for others. Within our culture negative stereotypes of disabled
people are far too common and have been in circulation for such a long time
that they appear to have become the norm. The Legislation helps in bringing
about cultural change and influences attitudes and expectations of disabled
people, their families, friends, neighbors, employers, etc.

14.4 INTERNATIONAL TREATY IN DISABILITY-

UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE
RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
(UNCRPD), 2006
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
(UNCRPD) is an international treaty that identifies the rights of disabled
people as well as the obligations of Parliament to promote, protect, and
ensure those rights. It is an international human rights convention that sets
304
out the fundamental human rights of people with disability. The Convention Acts and Policies
on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (hereinafter “CRPD” or
“Convention”) was adopted by consensus at the United Nations General
Assembly on 13 December 2006, opened for signature on 30 March 2007,
and attained the requisite number of ratifications for its entry into force on 3
May 2008. India has signed this convention and ratified it on 1st Oct. 2007.

The purpose of the UNCRPD is to promote, protect, and ensure the full and
equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons
with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity. The
Convention serves as a major catalyst in the global disability rights
movement enabling a shift from viewing persons with disabilities as objects
of charity, medical treatment, and social protection towards viewing them as
full and equal members of society, with human rights. The convention was
the first U.N. human rights treaty of the twenty-first century. It is the only
international legal instrument for persons with disabilities.

The United Nations Partnership on thee R Rights

igh
hts of Persons with
Disabilities (UNPRPD) is a partnership
partnership,
p, establ
established
blisheed in 201
2011,
11, bbetween
etwe
etween sseveral
ever
ev eral
al
UN
U N entities
entitiees and oother
theer orga
organizations.
gani
n zations. Thee par
partnership
a tneershiip aaims
im
ms to o incre
increase
ease the
th
he
eeffectiveness
ffectiv
iv
venesss of tthe
he wwork
ork
or k effo
efforts
fort
ort
r s by its ppartners
artn
t ers forr ddisability
tn isaability
y in
inclusion
nclu
usion
n in
cconformance
onfformaancee with
h thee CRPD. D

The
Th he UUNCRPD
NCR RPD D is a ci ccivil rights aact,
viil ri ct, eembedding
mbeeddiing ci citizenship
itizens
i nsn hi
hipp fo
forr pepeople
eople l with
disabilities,
disabi
di bilities, an aand built
d is bui uiilt on eight
n eigh Guiding
ht Gu uiding Principles
g Pr
P inciples ((GP):
GP):
GP ) ((1)
1) R Respect
espect for
inhere
in rent dig
inherent gni
nity
dignity,ty, iindividual
ndi
dividu duual aautonomy
utonnom my incl clud
ding th
including he fr
the free
eedo
ee d m to m
freedom ak
makeke onone’
es
e’
one’s
own choices,
ow c oice
ch ces, and nd indepen enden
independence nce ooff ppersons;
ersonns; (2
((2)) Non- -disccri
rimi
m na
mi nati
Non-discrimination; tioon; (3
ti (3)) Fu
Fullll
annd effe
and fectiv
fe
effectiveiv
ve partrticippattio
participation ion an
aandd in
inclus
u ion in soc
us
inclusion o iety; (4
oc
society; 4) Re
(4) Respec
Respecte t fo
ec forr difffferen
ff nce
difference
andd ac
accept ptan
pt
acceptanceance of person
personsonss w
on ith ddisabilities
with isabillities as
is a partt of o hhuman
uman
um n ddiversity
iv
ver
e si
s ty
y aand
nd d
hhumanity;
hu maani
n ty
ty;; (5)) Eq
Equa
ualility
Equality ty
y ooff oppoport
po rtuunity;
opportunity; y (6) Acc
y; cessibillitty; (7)
Accessibility; (7) Eq
Equ uallity
Equality ty
y bbetween
etwe
et ween
we en
menn andd wo
me w m n; and ((8)
me
women; 8) R e pect ffor
es
Respect or the evo olv
l ing ca
evolving apa
paci
citi
ci ties
capacities es ooff ch
hildrdren
dr
children en w itth
with
disabi
bili
liti
lit es
tie and respect for the
disabilities he ri ight of childr
right drren with di
children disabibilities to preserve
disabilities
their identiti ies
identities.es.

The UNCRPD has a total of 50 articles. In these articles, States Parties

address the purpose of UNCRPD, its principles, the obligations undertaken
by States Parties, and several specific measures intended to give effect
through concrete measures to the principles of the Convention. The first 2
articles talk about definition whereas article 3 focuses on guiding principles.
Articles 5 to 32 define the rights of persons with disabilities and the
obligations of states parties towards them. Articles 33–39 govern the
reporting and monitoring of the convention by national human rights
institutions and committees. Articles 40–50 govern ratification, entry into
force, relation to “regional integration organizations”, reservations,
amendment, and denunciation of the convention.

Several critical disability studies scholars have argued that the CRPD is
unlikely to promote the kinds of changes necessary to advance disability
rights claims to address inequality. The 2016 elections to the Committee on 305
Professional Ethics, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities resulted in a Committee with only one
Policies and Acts
female member and 17 males, an imbalance rectified in the 2018 elections.
This was despite the CRPD's explicit call in Article 34 for consideration of
“balanced gender representation” on the committee.

Check Your Progress 2

1) What are the objectives of the RCI Act of 1992?

…………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………

2) Explain the importance of Civil Rights.

…………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………

3) Delineate thee purp

purpose
rposse of UNCRPD.
…………………………………………………………………………
…………
……
………
…………
…………
…………
………………
… …………
………
……………
…
…………………………………………………………………………
…………
…………
……………
…………………
… …………
…… …………
………
… ……
……………
…

4)) Ho
How
ow m
many
anyy aarticles
r iclees aare
rt re in
nUUNCRPD?
NCRPD
NC D?
…………………………………………………………………………
……
…………
…………
……………
…………
………
… ……………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………
……
…………
…………
……………………………………………………………

5)) Wh
5 Which
hic
ich aarticle
rticlle talks ab
about
bout th
thee co
cconsideration
nsiderrat
ns atio
ionn of ““balanced
io b lanc
ba ncced ggender
ende
end r
representation”?
re
epresen
entation
n o ”?
…………………………………………………………………………
……
…………………
………
…………
…………
………………
…… ………
………………
…………
…………
…………
…… ………
… ……
…
…………………………………………………………………………
… ………………………
…………
…… …………
………………
…… ………
………………
…………
…… …………
………………
…… … ……
…

14.5 GOVERNMENT SCHEMES FOR PwD

14.5.1 Scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons for

Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP)
In light of the Government’s commitment to enabling and empowering
disabled persons, the ADIP scheme has been launched. As per the Census
2011, about 3% of disabled persons below 14 years of age are affected by
delayed development. The Child with Disability (CwD) require aids/
appliances to attain independence in self-care, communication, mobility, and

306
living independently. With modern technology, several aids and assistive Acts and Policies
devices have been developed that can reduce the negative impact of
disabilities and enhance the educational, mobility, and economic potential.
However, a large number of disabled persons are from low-income groups
with low access to modern technology and are consequently deprived of
dignified independent living. The objective of the scheme is to assist the
needy disabled persons in procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically
manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances to promote physical,
social, psychological rehabilitation of persons with disabilities by reducing
the effects of disabilities and at the same time enhancing their economic
potential and independence. It is implemented through the implementing
agencies. The agencies are given financial assistance for the purchase,
fabrication, and distribution of such standard aids and appliances and make
suitable arrangements for fitting and post-fitting care of the aids and
appliances distributed under the scheme. It also includes essential
medical/surgical
g correction and intervention. Teaching g learning
g aids for
available.
persons with intellectual disabilities are also av
vailaabl
ble.
e

Artificial Limbss M
Artificial
A Manufacturing
anuf
an ufacturing Corpo Corporation
ora
rati
tion
o ooff Indi
India
d a (ALI
di (ALIMCO)
LIIMC
MCO) O iiss a Ce
O) Cent
Central
nttral
ral
Public
P ublic S Sector
ecttor En
ec Enterprises
nterpprises fu functioning
unc
n tioning g und
under
der the Ad Administrative
dmiinisttrati tive
v C Control
onntrol
ol off
Ministry
M inist
sttry off So
Soci
Social
cial
ci al Justicee & Emp Empowerment,
mpowerrmen
mp nt, De
D
Department
paartm
mennt off Emp Empowerment
pow werm men nt off
Persons
P ersson
o s with
withth
h Disabilities
Dis isab
isa il
ab iliities (Divyangjan)
((Divy vyyangjgjann) to bbenefit
gj ennefit thee per
persons
e soons w with
ithh di
disability
isabbility
ttoo tthe
he max
maximum
ximuum eextentxten
xt entt po
en ppossible
ssibble
l by y mmanufacturing
anuufaact
c urin
ingg Reha
Rehabilitation
habibiilita
liita
t tit onn AAids
idss for
id
persons
person
pe ns with th
h dis
disabilities
isab
is abilittiees anandnd by ppromoting,
romom ting g, en
eencouraging
couragin ng andd ddeveloping
eve
veloping the
availability,
availa
av ability, us use,
se,
e, ssupply
upplly an
up and
nd di distribution
istribu
bution n ooff Arti
Artificial
tificiial L Limbs
imbbs and
im nd oother
ther
Rehabilitation
R
Re habbilitati
tion A Aids
i s to thee disa
id disabled
ableed peppersons
rsonss off the cou
country.
untry y. Pr
Prof
Profitability
offititab
abilitty iss nnot
ab ot
tthee mo
th motive
otivee of th the
he oper
operations
eraations n ooff th
ns the
he CorCorporation
rporration an and
nd it its
ts mamain in tthrust
h us
hrust is iin n
providing
provo id
ov i inng be
better qualquality
lity A Aidsidss aand
id nd ApApplia
Appliances
ancess to a larger number of disabled
ppersons
pe rson
o s at rea
on reasonable
easo
ea sonanabl
blee pr
pric
prices.
icces. Th The
he AALIMCO
LIM
IMCO iiss expand
expanding
ndin
nd ng iitstss ppresence
res
esenenncee aacross
cros
crososss
India
In
ndi
d a wh wher
wherein
erei
ein it is establ
establishing
b isishi
hin
hi ng ALIALIMCO
L MCO Re
LI R
Regional
gionaal RRehabilitation
ehab
ehababililiitat
il atio on CeCent
Centres
nttrees
(ARRC).
(ARRRR
RC)C). Th
These
hes
esee cecent
centres
ntre
r s will pprovide
re rov
ro vide variouss aids to o tthe
he D Divyangjan
ivvyang
yang ngjann aatt tthe
he
grassrootss llevel.
ev
vel
el. In the ddistricts
istr
is tric
icts selected by the Ministry, the NGOs/DDRCs
which
hi h are receiving i i G Grand d iin Aid under d the h DDRS S scheme
h should
h ld provide id
suitable accommodation for establishing ARRC to ALIMCO on mutually
agreed terms.

14.5.2 Assistance to Organizations for the Disabled

Under this scheme, the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
offers assistance of up to 90% of the recurring and non-recurring
expenditures to voluntary organizations for developing services for the
disabled. Assistance provided for building does not exceed Rs. 5 lakhs. The
following types of activities are assisted (1) Detection, intervention of a
primary nature, prevention of disability (2) Education and/or training (3)
Rehabilitation- physical, psychological, social, and economic. The scheme
also encourages voluntary organizations to undertake (1) the training of
teachers and other personnel required in the education and rehabilitation of
cerebral palsy and persons with intellectual disabilities, (2) psycho-social and
307
Professional Ethics, economic rehabilitation of persons with mental illness (3) vocational
Policies and Acts
rehabilitation, employment of leprosy-cured persons.

14.5.3 Schemes for Entrepreneurship and Skill Development

The various schemes to promote entrepreneurship and skill development are
as follows:

14.5.3.1 National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation

(NHFDC)

The Ministry of SJE has set up NHFDC to promote economic and

development activities undertaken by persons with disabilities. It provides
loans for self-employment and other economic ventures by implementing the
micro credit scheme. It provides to set up an income-generating activity that
involves persons with intellectual disabilities directly and income will be
distributed among them through the parents association of persons with
Disability
Intellectual Disabil (Please
lity (P
Ple
l ase visit www.nhfdc.nic.in).

14.5.3.2
1 .5.3.2 Deendayal
14 dayyal Disabled
Deend
nd ableed Rehabilitation
Disab n Scheme
Rehaabiliitattion me (DDRS)
Schem (D
DDRS)

The De
Th Deen
D een DDayal
ayal Disabled
al D isablled ReRehabilitation
ehabbilitattion Scheme
n Sc chem me ((DDRS)
DDR
DRS) S iiss a CeCentral
entrral SecSector
ctor
Scheme
Sche
heme off the Go
he Government
overnnmeentt of In India
ndia tthat
hatt prprovides
roviddes finfinancial
nanccia assistance
i l assi an e tto
siistaance o
voluntary
volunt y oorganizations
ntary working
rgannizaationns wo
work r in
rk i g fofor tthehe ededucation
educat tio
ionn andd re rrehabilitation
eha
h bilitation
ha onn ooff
persons
person
pe ns with disabilities.
witth dis
wi sabbilities. Thee sscheme
cheme w was as launched in 1999 and was revised
and
an
nd rerenamed
ename
med in n 22003.
003. T The
he D Deen
eeen Da
Dayall Di Disabled
Disasabl
sa bled
bl ed R Rehabilitation
ehab
ehabbil
ilit
itat
itattio
i n Sc Scheme
Scheheme
he me
(DDRS)
(D
DDRS S) provides
pro
r vid des a widee ran range
ange
an ge ooff be
bbenefits
neefi ts tto
fits o pepersons
perrsonns wiwith disabilities,
th dis sab
abililit
il itiies,
ies,
including
in
nclud
ud
dingg Skill
S illl de
Sk development
evelopmen e t ooriented
en rie
ient
ie nted
nt towards
ed tow wards dss eemployability.
mplo
mp loyyabi
lo b lity y. The
The DDRSDDRDRS S
provides
p ovid
pr financial
a cial aassistance
des finan
an ssistance to vol voluntary
o untary organizations
y org a izations ffor
gan skill
or ski
kill development
ll develop pmeent
programs
proggraams tthat
og hat help p personsns wwith disabilities
itth di
disa
sabi
sa biliitiies ffind
bi in
nd ememployment.
emplploy
pl oyyme
mennt.
nt Th The tr training
ning iin
raiini n
computer
computter
co office
e skills, off skills,
f ice skkillls
ls, an trade
andd tr
tradde skskills
kil
ills
ls arere ccovered
over
ov ered
er ed uunder
nder
nd er tthis scheme.
hiss sc chemee.
Another
Annot
oth programme
her programm me is the Development of Daily Living Skills provided by
DDRS through financial assistance to voluntary organizations for programs
that help persons with disabilities to develop the skills such as training in
activities such as cooking, cleaning, and personal care they need to live
independently. In addition to these direct benefits, the DDRS also helps to
promote the empowerment of persons with disabilities by supporting
voluntary organizations that work to advocate for their rights.

14.5.3.3 Skill Training through the National Institutes

The Institutes such as Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and
Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan), AYJNISHD(D); National Institute for the
Empowerment of the Persons with Visual Disabilities (Divyangjan), National
Institute for Locomotor Disabilities (Divyangjan) NILD, and National
Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities
(Formerly National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped) are primarily
engaged in Human Resources Development in the field of disability by
308
conducting various courses, providing rehabilitation services including job Acts and Policies
and skill development to persons with disabilities (Divyangjan), and
promoting Research and Development efforts in the particular field of
disability.

14.5.3.4 National Action Plan for Skill Development

The National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities
(NAP-SDP) is a dedicated skill development program aimed at providing
high-quality vocational training with a focus on Persons with Disabilities
(PwDs). Launched in March 2015 by the Department of Empowerment of
Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, this
Central Sector Scheme operates as part of the Umbrella Scheme SIPDA
(Scheme for Implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act).
The primary objectives of this scheme are:
1)) To enhance the skills of Persons with Disabilities by
y pproviding
g qquality
y
vocational skill training, enabling them em to gain meaningful
employment.
2) To eempower
mpower PwDs
er PwD
w s too bbecome elf-reeliaant, pproductive,
e ome se
ec self-reliant, rod and
ducctivee, an contributing
nd co
ontrributi
ting
ng
g
members
m embber
erss of society
o soccie
i ty
Vocational/skill
3)) Vo
V caationnal
al/s
/ kill training (b ((both
otth sshort-termr aand
hortt-teerm long-term)
nd lon ng-
g termm) iss prprovided
roviided
tthrough
hrouggh a nenetwork
etwor
o k ofo skill ttraining
rainnin partners.
ing pa artne
n rs. Thesee papartners
r neers iinclude
art nclude the
government,
govern nme
m nt, th the ppublic
he pu bllic
i sesector,
ector, training
r, trai inin institutions
ng institutioio
ons sucsuch
uchh as VRCs,
pprivate
pr training
ivatte tr
trai institutions,
a niing insti o s, andd nnon-governmental
tiitutiion on-g-gov vernmenenta
entall or
ta oorganizations.
gaani
niza
zati
za tions.
ti s.
cluster
4)) A cl delivers
luster delive ers ppartners'
artn
tn
ners' training
s' train nationwide,
iningg nation
nwide known
d , kn ownn ffor
know
ow its
or it
ts
successful
succ
c es
cc s ul ttrack
essf rack rrecord
ecor
ord
or providing
d in proroviding
ro n skill training with high
employability
em
mploy
oyab
oy ab
billit
ity rates.
y rate
ra
ate
t s..
5) A dedicated
dedi
ded ca
dicate
ted cross-cutting
d cr
cros
oss-
ss-cu
cu
utt Sector
ttiing Se Council
ector Skill C ouncill ffor
or PwDs
wDss (SCPwD)
PwD (SC
(S wD) has
CPwD
wD has
been
be
een established und under
der Ministry
e the Ministr trry of Skill Development &
Entrepreneurship
Entreprene shiip ((MSDE)
neursh MSDE) in collaboration with the National Skill
Development Corporation (NSDC) and the private sector.
6) Additionally, mentorship projects to promote self-employment among
PwDs are developed by DEPwD in collaboration with industrial
confederations, sector-wise associations, domain experts, and other
relevant organizations.

14.5.3.5 National Skill Development Corporation

To fulfill its mission of mainstreaming PwD through skill training to earn a

living and live in dignity, thereby contributing to the nation’s economy, the
Skill Council for Persons with Disability (SCPwD) was established in
October 2015 as a national body. Under Section 25 of the Companies Act,
1956, as a non-profit public limited company, it functions on a Public Private
Partnership model under the Ministry of Skill Development &
Entrepreneurship (MSDE). Vocational training courses are offered by the
309
Professional Ethics, National Institutes of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with
Policies and Acts
Disabilities and its affiliate bodies like National Handicapped Finance and
Development Corporation, and National Trust, etc.

Ministry of Labour and Employment is supervising more than 20 vocational

Rehabilitation Centers for the handicapped, more than 10,000 PwDs, and
more than 1000 employment exchanges. Technical and vocational courses
are offered through community colleges, IITs, and universities, affiliated with
the Ministry of Education. The National Rural Livelihood Mission of the
Ministry of Rural Development has introduced a vocational training/
livelihood programme.

NGOs are also focusing on vocational training and skill development with the
help of private sector training organizations: under the CSR initiative. Public
sector Undertaking like NTPC, BPCL, BEL, etc. have also contributed
substantially to vocational training of persons with disabilities.

About 1.34 crore ppersons with

ersoons w ith disabilities are in the employable age of 15 to
59 years (Census,, 2011 2011).
1 ). About 99 lakh persons with disabilities in the
11
eemployable
em ployablee agee gro group
r up aree non
ro non-workers
onn-worke k rs or ma
ke marginal
arg
ginall wworkers
orrke
kers and d aare
re among
ppoorest
thee po orest in ththe
he ppopulation.
opuulationn. T There urgent
heree is an urg nneed
gent ne ed tto o sscale u tthe
cale up skills
hee sk kills
trai
tra ning
ai
trainingng inf frastrruct
ctture give
infrastructure venn th
given he hu
the ugee ddemand-supply
huge emaand-suppply ly
y ggap.
a . T
ap he tr
The rainning
training g
offerered th
re
offered tthrough
ro
ough h va arious in
various nstittut
u ions/m/mecchaanism
/m
institutions/mechanisms ms is no on-h
-hhomogen
non-homogeneous, neo
e uss, lack cks
ck
lacks
q
qu alitty, aand
quality, nd is ve ery low onn em
very mpl
ploy
oyyabbility. E
employability. ven skill
Even k trai ining
i offered
training d bbyy
v
va riouss mi
various inistriies to the PwDs
ministries D is frag
Ds agm
gmented or overlapping. There is very
fragmented
loww acaccess
ccessss to tthe present
hee presen entt tr
en training
trai
a ning
ai ng iinfrastructure
nfrast
nf sttru
ruct
ctur
ct uree fo
ur forr Pw
PwDsDs iin rural
n rurarall ar
ra aareas.
eas.
ea s.
There
Thheree is aalsolso a lolow
ow level of iinvolvement
nvol
nv olve
olvem
ve mentt ooff th private
thee pr
priiv e se
ivate sector
sect
ctor
ct or in th skill
thee skil illl
il
training
tr
tra ning ooff Pw
raini
ni PwDs.
wDs.

14.5.4
1 4..5.4 Scheme
Sccheme of National
Naation
nal Scholarship
Scholarsh
hip for
for Persons
Persons with
with
h
Disabilities
D isabiliities
Un
Under this scheme, every year 500 new scholarships are awarded for
pursuing post-matric professional and technical courses of duration more than
1 year. Advertisements inviting applications for scholarships are given in
leading newspapers in June and students with 40% or more disability whose
monthly family income does not exceed Rs. 15,000/- are eligible for this
scholarship. Financial assistance will be given for pursuing post-Matric/Post-
Secondary technical and professional courses including Ph.D & M.Phil from
recognized institutions. However, for students with disabilities of Cerebral
Palsy, Intellectual Disability, Multiple Disabilities, and Profound or Severe
Hearing Impaired, the minimum educational qualification will be a class VIII
pass and a scholarship will be awarded to them for pursuing general,
technical, vocational, or professional courses.

14.5.5 Other Schemes

Indira Gandhi National Disability Scheme was launched in February 2009 by
310 the Ministry of Rural Development headed by the Central Government to
support the disabled people in our country. The Disability pension scheme Acts and Policies
introduced under the National Social Assistance Programme provides
monthly pensions to disabled people for the prosperity of their lives. Any
disabled person whose age is more than 18 years, and with disability 80% or
more belonging to the poverty line can apply for this scheme. A pension of
Rs.300/- per month is provided to Divyangjan between 18 years and 79 years.
For persons who are 80 years and above the pension of Rs.500/- per month
will be provided. The state government also provides disability pensions.

The Government of India has a scheme for giving National awards to the
outstanding employer of persons with disabilities as well as the most
outstanding employees, best placement agencies, outstanding institutions,
role models, outstanding technological innovation and adaptation, etc. to
recognize the multidisciplinary and dedicated efforts and to encourage others
to strive to achieve excellence in this field.

14.6 CONCESSIONS
The following concessions are given by
y the C
Central
entr
t al andd S
tr State
tate
ta t ggovernments
te overrnm
ov nmen
ents
t
ts
ffor disabled:
or the disa
sabl
bled:
bl

a)
a) Travel
Tr el cconcession
oncess
on s ion
n for th
he disa
the abl
b ed
disabledd by rrail
ail and by airr
b) Co
b) ommmuniccatio
Communication: ion:
n: P ayment of po
ay
Payment postagge, bothh in
postage, nland
nd
inlandd aand
nd fooreign
gn,, for
foreign,
trransmis
isssion
transmissiononn by po ost ooff blin
post nd li
blind ite
teratu
ure
r ppackets
literature ackets is ex
eexempted
empt
p ed
d if sent by
ssurface route
urface roututee on
ut only
ly
c
c) T
Teleco
commun
unication
Telecommunication
d) Cu
C sttom
o concessions
Custom
e
e) Exem
Ex empt
ptions ooff in
Exemptions stit
stti utio
onss ffor
institutions or tthe
h blindd and ddeaf
he eaf aare
ea re pe
perm
rmiitte
rm teed to bbuy
permitted uy
iimport
im port
rt eequipment
q ip
qu ipme
ment
ntt aand
nd aapparatus
p arat
pp atu
atus
f) Exempt
ptio
io
on fo
Exemption forr br
brai
aill
llee ppapers
braille apers
g) Conveyance allowances
h) Educational allowance, reimbursement of tuition fees
i) Income tax concessions
j) Awards of dealership
k) Reservation of jobs
l) Scholarship
m) Economic assistance.

Other than the above-mentioned concessions, schemes, and programmes, all

state governments also provide pensions, maintenance allowances, transport
benefits, scholarships, and even marriage allowances for persons with
disabilities.
311
Professional Ethics, All that is required is the right vision, a positive attitude, synergy amongst
Policies and Acts
different sources of support and assistance, and the belief that persons with
disabilities have the potential to overcome obstacles and become contributing
members of mainstream society.

Check Your Progress 3

1) Delineate the functions of NHFDC.

…………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………

2) Why fitting aids/appliances for PwD at the right time is important?

…………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………

3) Is there an ur
uurgent
nt nneed
gent eed to scale up the skills training infrastructure?
Discuss.
…………………………………………………………………………
…………
…………
……………
…………………
………………
…………
………
…………
…………………
…
…………………………………………………………………………
… ………
…………
……………
…………………
……………
…………
………
…………
………
………
…

4) What are tthe

What criteria
hee criteriaa to rreceive
eri ecei
ec scholarship
eivve a sc
cholarsship ffor
olar PwDs?
or PwD
Ds?
…………………………………………………………………………
……
…………
…………
………………
………
…………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………
……
………
…………
……………
…………
…… ……
……………
…………
………………
…… ………
…………
…………
…… ………
…

Mention
5)) Me
M ntion
n the features of India Gandhi National Disability Scheme.
…………………………………………………………………………
………
………………
………
…………
…………
………………
…… …………
………………
…… ………
…………
…………
…… … ……
…
…………………………………………………………………………
… ……………
…………
………
………
…………
…………
…… ………
………………
…………
…… …………
…………
………
… ……
…

14.7 CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES

A large number of disabilities are preventable, including those arising from
medical issues during birth, maternal conditions, malnutrition, as well as
accidents and injuries. However, the health sector especially in rural India has
failed to react proactively to disability. Further, there are lack of affordable
access to proper health care, aids, and appliances. Prioritization of resources
like finance, manpower, and materials will be another important issue to be
considered. Poor planning and management of schemes and concessions with
a lack of intersectoral coordination leads to poor functioning of the services to
the disabled. Non-availability of evidence-based facts, lack of coordination
between the Government and NGOs, the absence of a coherent community-
level strategy, limited competence and capacity of decentralizing services,
and limited models of good practices are the other lacunas in the system. A
312
multi-sectoral approach including social integration interventions, health, Acts and Policies
education, and vocational programs are important issues related to
rehabilitation services. The primary health care system must play a major role
both as a provider and supporter and should engage with initiatives such as
early identification of impairments and providing basic interventions,
referrals to specialized services such as physical, occupational, and speech
therapies, prosthetics and orthotics, and corrective surgeries. Collaboration
with the employment and labour sectors is essential to ensure that both youth
and adults with disabilities have access to training and work opportunities at
the community level. Productive and decent work in a conducive environment
is essential for the social and economic integration of individual persons with
disability (PwDs).

Monitoring and evaluation in the service delivery should be strengthened

with information dissemination related to the impact on the disabled,
community mobilization, opportunity for education, opportunity for work,
transfer skills to community level, programmes e activities, and involvement of
disabled people. One of the biggest challeng
challenges
n es is pr pproviding
oviding rehabilitation
sservices
se rvices to unre
unreached
eac
ache
hed
d pe
persons with dis
disabilities
sab
abil
illit
i iess livi
living
ing in ru
rural
ural ar
area
areas
eass an
and
nd sm
small
mal
al
ttowns.
owns.

14.8
14.
.8 EMPOWERMENT
EMPOWERM
MENT ISSUES
ISSU
UES
The
Th he pprinciples
rincipl
ples sstated
pl tated
ta d to bbee impl
implemented
lemene ted fo
en fforr empowerm
empowerment
men nt of per
persons
e sons with
er
disabilities
disabi
di bilities ((PwD)
PwD)) aare
Pw re rrespect
espe
pect ffor
pe or iinherent
nhereentt dignity, ind
individual
nddiv
ivid
idua
uall autonomy
including
incl
in c udding th the
he freedo
freedom
om to m make
ake on oone’s
e’s ow own
wn ch choices,
oices,
oi
i , aand nd
iindependence
indepeend
n en
ence off person
persons.
ns. Thehe pri
principle
rincip
iple re
ip reflects
eflectc s a para
paradigm
radigm
ra g sshift
hifft iin
hi n th
thinking
hink
inking
king
about
ab
bouut di
disability
isa
s biili
l ty ffrom
rom
ro m a soci
social
ial
a wwelfare
elfa
faare con
concern
nce
c rnn to a human rights issue.

Ge
G ttin
ing
ng in
Getting iinformation
nformmatatio
ion
n ababou
o t va
about ari
rio
ous po
various ppolicies,
licies, acts, ru
ruless, rregulations,
rules, eguulaatio
eg ions
ns, co
ns code
dess,
de
codes,
circulars,
circu ars, nnotifications,
rcul otif
otiffic
icat
atio
ons,
nss, an
andd gguidelines
uidellin
ines for the empowerment
hee empow
owwer
erme
ment
me nt ooff pe
ppersons
ersoons with
ons w ith
th
disabilities
disabili
liiti
t es
e implemented by Disability
y Di
D Division
sability Divisission of the Ministry of Social
Justice & Empo Empowerment,
powewerm
rmenentt, Government of India, that lead empowering people
with disabilities. However, various issues such as inaccessible transport,
inaccessible facilities, types of discrimination daily, and social exclusion
driven by stigma and stereotypes about disability, and barrier environments,
lead to disempowering. The strategy of involving them in designing
interventions has been highlighted as leading to empowerment and better
outcomes.

14.9 SUMMARY
To sum up, let us take a quick recap. The period witnessed international and
national initiatives for reforms in legislation and policies for affirmative
action to improve the quality of life of Persons with Disability in India.
These in turn have changed paradigms from providing charity and welfare to
Persons with Disability to protect their rights and promote their
empowerment.
313
Professional Ethics, The Government has undertaken commendable initiatives for the welfare of
Policies and Acts
the disabled and make them independent. There is a need to integrate
Government’s efforts with initiatives toward bringing social change.
Simultaneously, Government should focus on better implementation of its
initiatives. Indian Paralympic Athletes won 29 medals including 7 Gold
medals in the Paris 2024 Paralympics (the most impressive performance at
the Paralympic games), shows that with proper support, they can excel in any
field. With social change and Government support, people with disabilities
can be mainstreamed into society and their potential can be utilized in all
fields of human endeavour.

14.10 KEYWORDS
Civil Right : Rights that ensure equal social opportunities and equal
protection under law.

Empowerment : A process that enables an individual to understand the

relationship
rellatioonship between their actions and outcomes, and
allows
allo
loows thee pperson
erso
ers n th
so power
the po
powe vee tthe
werr to achieve results
hee result tthey
lts hey
desire.
dessiree.

Publicc H
Pu Health
ea
alth : Is the sc
science
cienc protecting
nce off prroteectin and
ng an improving
nd im
imp vingg tthe
prov he he
health
h off
people
peooplee and communities.
ndd theirr com
mmuniities.

114.11
4.111 REVIEW
REV
VIE
EW QUESTIONS
QUE
ESTIO
ONS
1) Discus
Di
Discuss
u s ab
us about
bout salient fe
ffeatures
attur
ures
es ooff th
the Ri
Righ
Rights
ghts
gh ts ooff Pe
Person
Persons
on
ns wi
with
th Dis
Disabilities,
sab
abil
ilit
ilitie
ies,
ies,
22016.
0166.

2)) Wh
2 What aare
r the gguiding
re uidingg pprinciples
rinc
ncip
ncip
ple UNCRPD?
les of U N RP
NCRPD?
D?

3) Diisc
s uss the services
Discuss es ooffered
ffer
ffered
ered bbyy VoVoluunt
ntar
aryy oorganizations
ar
Voluntary rga
gani
ganiza
nizati
zation
tions fo
on or thee
for
rehabilitation ooff people with disabilities.

4) Explain the facilities available under MHCA 2017.

5) Describe the various facilities available for the skill development of

PwDs.

6) Discuss the various concessions provided by Central and State

Governments to improve the quality of life of PwDs.

14.12 REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED READING

Chadda, R. (2020). Influence of the new mental health legislation in India,
BJPsych Int. 2020 Feb; 17(1): 20–22. doi: 10.1192/bji.2019.18

Choudhary Laxmi Narayan and Thomas John (2017). The Rights of Persons
with Disabilities Act, 2016: Does it address the needs of the persons with
mental illness and their families, Indian J Psychiatry. 2017 Jan-Mar; 59(1):
314 17–20. doi: 10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_75_17
Dan, B (2020) Disability and empowerment, Developmental Medicine and Acts and Policies
Child Neurology, Vol 62, Issue 5 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/
10.1111/dmcn.14511

Hilberink, S. & Cardol, M. (2019) Citizenship according to the UNCRPD and

in practice: a plea for a broader view, Disability and Society, Vol 39, 2019
issue https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2018.1556490

14.13 WEB RESOURCES

Office of Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities:
https://ccpd.nic.in/

The National Trust: http://thenationaltrust.in

Rehabilitation Council of Imdiahttps://rehabcouncil.nic.in

www.nhfdc.nic.in

https://www.nhfdc.nic.in/scholarship_NF.html
mll

hhttp://socialjustice.nic.in
ttp://soc
occia
ialjustice
c .nicc.i
ce .in

hhttp://www.un.org/disabilities
ttp
p:/
://ww
ww.uun.or
org/
or g di
g/dissabilitiess

315
Professional Ethics,
Policies and Acts UNIT 15 SERVICES AND SCHEMES FOR
DISABILITY*
Structure
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Services and Schemes
15.2.1 DRC Project 1985
15.2.2 District Disability Rehabilitation Centre (DDRC) 2000
15.2.3 Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme
15.2.4 Composite Regional Centre for Skill Development, Rehabilitation &
Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (CRCs)
15.2.5 Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC)
15.2.6 The National Information Centre on Disability and Rehabilitation (NICDR)
15.2.7 The N
National
a ional Council for Handicapped Welfare (NCHW)
at
15.2.8 Nationa
National
n l Le
na Level
evel IInstitutes
nstitutes

15.3
1
15 .3 Acce
Accessible
essib
ble IIndia
ndiaa Cam
Campaign
amppaig
gn
15
15.4 Sum
mmarry
Summary
15.5
5 K
Ke yword
yw ds
Keywords
1 .6
15
15.6 Revi
view Q
Review uestions
ue
Questions
15.7
. Re
efe
ferencces & Sug
References ggeest
sted
ted R
Suggested eadi
eading
ding
Reading
15
5.8
8
15.8 W
Web Re
Web esour
u ces
Resources

L EAR
RNING
LEARNINGG OBJECTIVES
OBJ
JECTIVE
V S
VE

After ha
After having read th
tthis
is uni
it, yyou
unit, ou w illl be aable
will blle to
to:

x Develop an understanding about the role of government organizations

and NGOs in providing services to disabled persons;

x Delineate the various schemes and services the government provides;

and

x Gain insight of the Accessibility India campaign.

15.1 INTRODUCTION
People with disabilities are frequently seen as objects of charity, medical
treatment, and social protection, not as individuals who are capable of
exercising their rights, making decisions based on their free and informed
consent, and being active members of society and the economy. It is found
that 17% of the disabled population is in the age group 10-19 years and 16%

_____________________
316 *Sandhya Limaye, Professor and Chair for Disability Studies and Action, School of Social
Work, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.
of them are in the age group 20-29 years (Census, 2011, 2016 updated). Services and Schemes
for Disability
Elderly (60+ years) disabled constituted 21% of the total disabled at all India
level. The prevalence of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) is greater in rural
areas than in urban. In India, this means 69 per cent of Persons with
Disabilities reside in rural areas in contrast to 31 per cent living in urban
(Census, 2011, 2016 updated).

Prejudice and misconceptions about disabilities contribute to the social

marginalization of people with disabilities. In rural areas, people with
disabilities tend to face more challenges than their counterparts in urban
areas. They are less likely to have attended school, less likely to be
employed, less likely to be attended by a skilled health worker, and less likely
to own a mobile phone. Similarly, they are often left behind in rural
development interventions.

Through increased awareness, improved accessibility, and a commitment to

inclusivity, the government works towards dismantling barriers that hinderr
the full participation of people with disabi disabilities
b litiies in all aspects of life.
Embracing diversity and fostering a culture off inclu inclusiveness
lusi
sive
v nessss bbenefits
enef
en efit its no
nott on
only
l
ly
iindividuals
ndividualls wi with ddisabilities
isab
bilittie
i s bu
bbutt enrich
enricheshes th
the
he ssociety
ocieety as a wh whol
whole.
ole.
e To im improve
mprov ove
ve
tthehe qu
quality
ual
aliity of
o llife
ifee of ppersons
if erso
er sons w
so with
ith disa
it disabilities,
abilittiess, thee MMinistry
ini
nistryy of SSocial
occial Jus Justice
stice
aand
nd E Empowerment
mpopoweermr ent
enn susupports
upports ttheir
h ir ssocio-economic
he ocio o-ecoono omic andd cu cultur
cultural
u al ccontext,
ur onttextt, ca cause
ause
ooff disabilities,
disab
abilittie
ab ies, eearly
arrly cchildhood
hildhood eeducation
hi d ca
du c tiion
o m methodologies,
etho
h doologgies, an aand
nd de
devel
development
lopm men nt off
user-friendly
use
us er-ffriendlly aiaids
ids
d and d app
appliances,
pli
liancess, thr
through
h ough
hr h undertaking
und
n ertaking various
varrio
i us services
serervices and
schemes
schem
sc mes andd al all matt
matters
terss connected
conn
n ecteed wi
nn with ddisabilities
i ab
is bilities whic
whichch si
sign
significantly
gnif
iffic
i antly alterr
thee quality
th quuality ofo ttheir
h ir life and
he annd civil
civ
vil society’s
soociet
ety
y’s ability
a ilit
ab i y to respond
res
espo
pond
po n too their
nd thei
eirir feltltt needs.
nee
eeds
ds.
ds
Forr that,
F
Fo thhat
a , va measures
variouss measur res are initiated
re innitiat
a ed by
at Ministry
y thee Minist r ooff So
try Social
ciall JJustice
Soci usti ce aand
tice
ti nd
Empowerment,
Em
Empo
mp werm
weermeent, G Government
o er
ov ern
nmen nt of IIndia,
ndiaia,, whic
ia which
i h ar
ic are
re discussed iin this
n thi Unit.
his Unit i.

15.2
1 5.22 SERVICES
SERV
VICES AND
AND SCHEMES
SCHEME
ES
15.2.1
1 DRC
DRC Project 19
1985
985
District Disability Rehabilitation Centre (DDRC) is an initiative by the
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, to
facilitate comprehensive services to Persons with Disabilities in rural areas. It
was launched in early 1985 to provide comprehensive rehabilitation services
to the rural disabled. The aims and objectives of DRCs include surveys of the
disabled population, prevention, early detection, medical intervention, and
surgical correction, fitting of artificial aids and appliances, therapeutic
services— physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy,
provision of educational services in special and integrated schools, provision
of vocational training, job placements in local industries and trades, self-
employment opportunities, awareness generation for the involvement of
community and family to create a cadre of multi-disciplinary professionals to
take care of major categories of the disabled in the district.

During 1985-1990, District Disability Rehabilitation Centres (DDRCs)

started as an outreach activity of the Ministry of Social Justice and 317
Professional Ethics, Empowerment, Government of India, for providing comprehensive services
Policies and Acts
to persons with disabilities at the grass root level and for facilitating the
creation of the infrastructure and capacity building at the district level for
awareness generation, rehabilitation and training of rehabilitation
professionals. Suitable changes as were deemed necessary, since the PwD
Act has been effected accordingly. The District Disability Rehabilitation
Centres are set up under the Plan Scheme. “Scheme for implementation of
Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, protection of Rights and full
participation) Act 1995 (SIPDA). Initially, the establishment of DDRCs
started as an outreach activity of this Ministry for providing comprehensive
services to persons with disabilities at the grassroots level and for
facilitating the creation of the infrastructure and capacity building at the
district level for awareness generation, rehabilitation, and training of
rehabilitation professionals.

15.2.2 District Disability Rehabilitation Centre (DDRC) 2000

From the year 19 1999-2000,
999-2200 00, the District Disability Rehabilitation Centres
(DDRCs) were est established
tablish
shed
ed withh ac acti
active
t ve ssupport
upppo
port
rt ffrom
r m the St
ro State
tatte Go
G
Governments.
vernnme
ments.
It is an in initiative
nitiatiive by thee M Ministry
inisi tr
istryy off So
Social
ociaal JuJustic
Justice
i e aand
ic ndd EmE
Empowerment,
pooweermment,
Government
Gove vern
ve r men nt off InIndia,
ndia, to fac
facilitate
cilita
tate ccomprehensive
om
mpreehen nsivee se services
ervvicess to P Persons
erssonns wwith
ith
Disabilities
Di isa
s biili
liti
t es in ru rural
ura
r l aareas.
reaas. Th T
Theseesee un
units
nitss have a ggroup ro
oup ooff rrehabilitation
ehaabillitattionn
professionals
prof fes
essiono als fo
on for prov
providing
viding se sservices
rvicces
e llike
ikee id
identification
dentiificaationonn of per pe
persons
ersonns wi with
ith
h
disabilities,
d
di sabiili
l ties
e , awa
es awareness
arenness genegeneration,
eratitiion
o , ea early detection and intervention,
provision/fitment,
prrov
o isiion/fi fitmen nt, follow-up aand nd rrepairing
ep
epai
pairing of assistive devices, therapeutic
services
serrvicees lik
like
ke ph
physiotherapy,
hys
y io otherap
apy,
py, sspeech
p ecch th
pe ther
therapy
erapyy et
er etc
etc.,
c.,, an
andd fafaci
facilitation
cili
cilita
litaati
tion
on ooff Di
Disa
Disability
sabi
sa bili
bi l ty
Certificates,
Ce ertifficattes
es, bu
buss
uss ppasses
asses an
and
nd otothe
other
herr co
he conc
concessions/
nceessiion
nc ons/
s/ ffacilities
acil
ac ilitties fo
il forr Pw
PwDs
PwDs.
D.

DDRC
DDDRC C iiss a jo
jjoint
int venture of Central and State Governments wherein the
Central
Centntra
rall Go
ra Government
overnmeent wil will
ll es
establish,
staablis
ishh, ini
is initiate,
niti
tiat
tiate,
ate,, aand
nd iimplement
mple
mp leme
lement
me nt tthe
he ccentre
entr
en tree fo
tr forr
three
thre
three ye
re years
ears involv
involving
ving fu
funding
undiningg fo
in forr ma
m
manpower
anppow
owerr con
contingencies
ntiing
ngen
enciies aand
en nd req
required
equireed
eq
equipment
equi ipm
pment and coor coordination.
o dinatiion
on. T The
he S State
tate G
tate Government
overnm
ov nmen
en
nt w will
illl pprovide
ro
ovi
vidde
de pprovisions
rovi
visionss
vi
forr rent-free, well-connected buildings, basic infrastructure, furniture,
fo
monitoring and coordination of activities through the District Management
Team (DMT) Chaired by the District Collector and identification of the
implementing agency.

Setting up of District Disability Rehabilitation Centres (DDRCs) which

would provide rehabilitative support to persons with disabilities through

x Survey and identification of persons with disabilities through camp

approach;
x Awareness generation for encouraging and enhancing prevention of
disabilities, early detection and intervention; etc.
x Early intervention;
x Assessment of need for assistive devices, provision/fitment of assistive
devices, follow up/repair of assistive devices;
318
x Therapeutic services e.g. Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Services and Schemes
for Disability
Therapy, etc.;
x Facilitation of disability certificates, bus passes, and other
concessions/facilities for persons with disabilities;
x Referral and arrangement of surgical correction through Government and
charitable institutes;
x Arrangement of loans for self-employment, through banks and other
financial institutions;
x Counselling of persons with disabilities, their parents and family
members;
x Promotion of barrier-free environment;
x To provide supportive and complimentary services to promote education,
vocational training,
g, and employment
p y for ppersons with disabilities
through:
¾ Providin
Providing
ingg or
orie
orientation
ientation trainingg tto
o te
teachers,
eache
h rs,, co
comm
community,
m un
unit
ity,
y aand
nd fam
families
mil
ilie
iees
¾ PProviding
rovid
i in
id ng trai
training
aini
ning
ng to pe ppersons
rsonss wit
with
th ddisabilities
isab
bilitiiess forr earl
early
rly mmotivation
ottivaati
t onn
aand
and earl
early
ly stimulat
stimulation
attio
ion fo fforr educ
education,
ucattio
i n, vo
vocational
ocaationnal ttraining,
rainninng, and
employment.
em
mploy
o ment.
oy

Modalities
M
Modaalities ooff establis
establishment
ishm
hmen
hm nt

x O
Only
nly ddistricts
istric
is icts
ict where curr
currently
rently
ly
y nno
o serv
services
vices
e are ava
available
vaillab
va able
lee for
o P
or PwDs
wDDs ei
either
ith
theer
er
through
th
hro
r ug
gh gov
govt.
vt. or/sem
or/semi-govt
em
mi-goovt
v oor/voluntary
r/vo
volu
luntar
ary or
oorganizations
ganizati
tionns ar
ti are
re el
elig
eligible
igib
igible
ib

x The wi
Th w
willingness
llingn
g ess of tthe
he sta
state
tate
ta te Gov
Government
o ernm
ov ment to
o imp
implement
m le
mpleme
ment
men aand
nt n sshare
nd hare
hare
responsibilities
re
esp
spon
on
nsibili
l ti
lities
es

x Prov
Pr
Provision
o ision of
ov of rent-free,, well-connect
well-connected
ctted
e bui
buildings
ild
ldiings bby
y the st
state
tate
Government.
Governmement
nt.

The role of the central government is as follows:

1) Funding for the manpower deployed and contingencies as well as

equipment required for DDRC (a) for initial 3 years through the
implementation of the PWD Act scheme (5 years for NE and J &K)
(later through Deendayal scheme DRS for rehabilitation on tapering
basis)

2) Technical inputs through training to staffs of Districts, implementing

agencies and DDRCs

3) Overall supervision, coordination, and evaluation, Withdrawal after 3/5

years

4) Funding under ADIP/DRS

319
Professional Ethics, Role of State Government/ District Administration
Policies and Acts
1) Provision of rent-free, well-connected building/space having provisions
of electricity and water. The support system e.g. telephone facilities,
furniture, etc. for running the District centers is also to be provided by
the State Government. The space required is approximately 150 sq.m.
Funds from MPLAD etc could be explored for the
improvement/construction of infrastructure.

2) Identification of agencies, deployment of manpower.

3) Monitoring and coordination of activities of DDRCs, and their

convergence with other activities of the district.

4) Efforts to make DDRC sustainable through service charges.

5) Ensuring the formulating and timely forwarding of proposals under the

ADIP/DRS scheme of GOI.

Revision of DDRS S hass bbecome

ecome necessary for providing advance to NGOs to
ec
eensure
en sure the ssmooth
moo oth iimplementation
mpllementa taation off pro
projects
ojeccts aand
nd
d thee rev
revised
vissed schem
schememe bbecame
ecaame
effective
ef
ffe
fect
c ive fro
ct from
om 11stst ooff A
April,
prill, 22023.
0223. (i)) Too ad
add
dd nnew
ew proj
projects
ojeccts aand
nd mmodifications
oddif
i iccatiions
in
n eexisting
xist
stin
st i g pprojects
rojeectss in cconsonance
onsson nancce w withith nnewer
ew
wer disab
disabilities
bilitties
ess ide
identified
d ntif
de ifiied un
underr thee
RPwDwD Act,Act
c , 2016.
20116. (ii).
(ii). Forr be
better
ettter mon
monitoring
onitoorinng aand
nd to en
ensure
nsur
urre th
that
hat thehee fun
funds
unnds
d aare
re
being
b
be ing usuused
ed
d for tthe
he purposes fo fforr wh
w
which
icch th
the
he funds were released. d (iii). to ffocus
ocus
on Community
Com mmu unity andn Home-Ba
nd Home-Based
Baaseed Re Reha
Rehabilitation
habbilitation (iv). To include vocational
training
trai
ainingg com
component
ompon nent in sp special
pec
eciaiall sc
ia sschools
ho
ool
olss

15.2.3
1 5.2
2.3 Deendayal
Deen
ndayyal Divyangjan
Divvyan
ngjjan Rehabilitation
Rehaabiliitation Scheme
Schemee
IIn
n 1999,
199
19 99, to
to enab
enable
ble mor
more
re ef
effective
ffec
fectiv
ivee im
iv implementation
mplplem
emen
em en
nta
tati
tion
ti on ooff SSection
eccti
tion
on 66 6 of tthe
he
PW
PWD
WD A Act,
c , 1995, the fou
ct four
ur sc
schemes
che
heme
mess th
me then
hen
en eexisting
xist
xisttin
ng fo forr re
reha
rehabilitation
habbili
ha biliita
tati
tioon
ti on ooff pe
person
persons
ns
with
h ddisabilities
isabilities we
is w
were
re ama
amalgamated
alg
lgam
amat
am ated
ated iinto
ntoo a si
nt sin
single
ngle
lee sscheme
chem
ch em
me ca
call
called
llled tthehe “S“Scheme
Scheme
ch e
t Promote Voluntary Action for Persons with Disabilities” as an umbrella
to
Central Sector Scheme. The amalgamated scheme was revised with effect
from 1.04.2003, and renamed the “Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation
Scheme (DDRS)”. The cost norms were last revised with effect from
01.04.2018. DDRS stands for Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme
under which, the Central Government has been providing grant-in-aid to non-
governmental organizations (NGOs) for projects relating to the rehabilitation
of persons with disabilities aimed at enabling them to reach and maintain
their optimal, physical, sensory, and intellectual, psycho-social functional
levels.

The objectives of the (Census, 2011, 2016 updated) schemes are:

o To create an enabling environment to ensure equal opportunities, equity,

social justice, and empowerment of persons with disabilities.

o To encourage voluntary action to ensure effective implementation of the

320 Revised Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act, 2016).
The following components are admissible for assistance under the Scheme Services and Schemes
for Disability
under various model projects:

(1) Recurring expenditure (2) Honorarium to staff (3) Transportation of

beneficiaries (4) Stipend for beneficiaries/hostel maintenance (5) Cost of
Raw Materials (6) Contingencies to meet office expenses, electricity and
water charges, etc. (7) Rent (8) Non-recurring expenditure such as furniture,
equipment etc.

The following are the eight Model Projects under DDRS:

1) Cross Disability Pre-Schools and Early Intervention with Home-Based
Rehabilitation and Community-Based Rehabilitation Projects provision.
2) Special School for children with Hearing Disability with an option for
Home-Based Rehabilitation and Community-Based Rehabilitation
Projects.
3) Special School for children with Visua
Visual
ual Disability (including Deaf-
ua
blindness) with Home-Based Rehabilit
Rehabilitation
itatio
it on and Community-Based
Rehabilitation Pro
Project
r je
j ct and Low Vis
Vision
isio
ionn Ce
Centre
entre PProject
roject ooptions.
ro ptio
ptio
ons
ns.
44)) Sp
Special
pec
eciial Sc
Scho
School
hoool ffor
or cchildren
hild
dre
ren with h oth
other
herr disabil
disabilities
litiies ((ID/CP/ASD/MD/
ID//CP/A ASD/MMD//
Muscular
M usccul
u arr D
Dystrophy,
ystro
ys ophy, De
Deaf-blindness,
eaf
a -b
bli
l ndneess, eetc.)
tc..) wi
with
ith ooptions
pttions
ns forr Ho
Home-Based
omee-Baased
Rehabilitation
Reha
h biilitati
ha tion
tion and Commu
Community-Based
uni
n ty-B
-Baased R Rehabilitation
ehhabillitattionn Pr
P
Projects.
ojjeccts
t.
5) R
Rehabilitation
ehabiili
litati
tion
tio off Lepr
on Leprosy
ros
o y Cu
Cured
d Pers
Persons
sonns with opt
option
tio
i n fo
for
or Ho
Home-Based
Rehabilitation
R ehabiliitaati
tion
on & Com
Community-Based
om
mmu uni
n ty
y-Bassed R
Rehabilitation
ehab
a ilitation Proj
Project.
ojec
ectt.
6 Half
6) Ha W Wayay HHome
ome for ppsycho-social
syccho-s
-socia
i l reh
ia rehabilitation
habillitation ooff tr
treated
rea
eate
tedd an
te andd cont
controlled
ntro
ntrollled
ro lled
individuals
indi
d vidu
di duals with
du h men
mental
nta
t l Illn
Illness
ness w with
ith
h an op option
pti
t on ffororr hhome-based
omee-base
om seed
rehabilitation
rehabi
re bili
bilittation & com
community-based
mmum ni
nity-b
bas
ased rrehabilitation
ehabil
illitation Proj
Project.
ject.
t.
7) Prep
Preparatory
epar
ep arrat
a ory / R Remediation
emediat
atio
ion
ion Cent
Centre
ntre
ntr for CChildren
hildrenn wi
withith
h S
Specific
peccifficc Le
pe Lear
Learning
arniing
ar ng
Disabilities
D
Di sabiili
liti
ties
ti e tto
es o co
cont
continue
ntin
i ue
inue inclu
inclusive
usi
sive educatio
education
on Proje
Project.
ect
ct..
8) Cross-Di
Cross-Disability
Disa
sabi
bili
lity
ty T
Therapy
herrapy and Counselling Centre Project.
he

The following organizations/institutions shall be eligible to apply for

assistance under this scheme:
i) Organisation registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (XXI
of 1860), or any relevant Act of the State/Union Territory; or,
ii) A Trust registered under the Indian Trust Act, 1882 or any other similar
Act for the time being in force; or,
iii) A Not-for-Profit company registered under Section 8 of the Companies
Act, 2013 or any relevant Act for the time being in force.

Further, the registration should have been in force for at least 2 years at the
time of applying for a grant under this scheme.

An organization/institution specified in para (i) to (iii) above should have the

following characteristics: 321
Professional Ethics, x It should have a properly constituted managing body with its powers,
Policies and Acts
duties, and responsibilities clearly defined and laid down in writing.

x It should have resources, facilities, and experience for undertaking the

programme.

x It should not be run for profit by any individual or a body of individuals.

x It should not discriminate against any person or group of persons on the

grounds of sex, religion, caste or creed.

x It should ordinarily have existed for two years.

x Its financial position should be sound.

Check Your Progress 1

1) What is the purpose of launching DRC 1985?

…………………………………………………………………………
………………
…………
……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………
………………
………
………
…………
…………
………………
…………
………………
…………………
……
… ……

2)) Explain
E plaain SIPDA.
Ex SIIPD
DA.
…………………………………………………………………………
…………
…………
……………
…………
………
…………
…………
……………
… ……
…………
…
……
…………………………………………………………………………
…………
………………
……………
……………
…………………………………………

3)) E
3 Explain
xpllain th
the
he ro
rrole
le off th
thee Di
Distri
District
rict
rictt M
Management
a ag
an gem
emen
entt Te
en Team
Team.
am..
am
…………………………………………………………………………
……
………
…………………
…………
…… ……
……………
…………
…… ………
………
…………
………
………
…………………………………………………………………………
…
……… ……
…… ……………………………………………………………

4) Wh
Why
hy was it ffelt
elt to ddo
o th
the
he rrevisions
evi
visi
s on
onss of D
DDRC?
DRC?
DR C?
…………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………

5) Delineate the criteria for the Organizations to apply for assistance

under the Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme.
…………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………

15.2.4 Composite Regional Centre for Skill Development,

Rehabilitation & Empowerment of Persons with
Disabilities (CRCs)
Initiated by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
(Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of
India, the department has approved the setting up of 25 Composite Regional
322
Centres (CRCs) as extended arms of National Institutes. The basic objective Services and Schemes
for Disability
of CRCs is to provide rehabilitation services to all categories of Persons with
Disabilities (PwDs), train rehabilitation professionals, workers, and
functionaries, undertake programmes of education and skill development for
PwDs and create awareness among parents and the community regarding
needs and rights of PwDs.

15.2.5 Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC)

Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) programmes conduct
coordinated, integrated, and advanced programmes of research, training, and
information dissemination in topical areas that are specified by NIDILRR.
RRTCs conduct research to improve rehabilitation methodology and service
delivery systems; improve health and functioning; and promote employment,
independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency
for individuals with disabilities. They also provide training (including
graduate, pre
pre-service,
service, and in
in-service
service training) to assist rehabilitation
personnel in providing rehabilitation servicess to in
indi
individuals
dividuals with disabilities
effectively.

Four
F our Regional
Reg
egional RehaRehabilitation
h bilitatition
tio Trai
on Training
iningg Ce C
Centers
ntters ((RRTC)
RRTRTC)
RT C)) hahave
avee be bbeen
en
n
ffunctioning
unctitiioningg un
unde
under
d r th
de the
he DR DRCs
RCs
C sch scheme
c emee at M
ch Mumbai,
umbbai, C Chennai,
hennnai, CutCuttack,
ttacck, and
Lucknow
L uck
ck
knoow sisince
ince 19
1985
985 for the tra training
raainin
ng ooff vil
village-level
llage
g -lev vel fun
functionaries
nctioonanarries aand
ndd DR
DRCs
RCs
pprofessionals,
roofesssionaals, oorientation
rieenta
tati
t on and tra
ti training
ain
i in
ng ooff St
State
tatee Gov
Government
ver
ernm
nmen
entt offi
of
officials,
ffi
f cialss, rresearch
esea
esearch
in serservice
e vice ddelivery,
er eliv
iveery, aatt lo
iv low
w co cost.
ost. R RRTCs
RTC
TCss serve ass ce ccenters
ntters ofo national
excellence
excell
ex llence in re rehabilitation
eha
habi
billitati
tiion rresearch
e eaarch ffor
es or pproviders
rovviders andd fofor in
indi
individuals
diviidual a s wi
with
ddisabilities
dis biilitiess andd their rep
sa representatives.
preseentattivess. Awards
Awwardsd are nnormally
orma
mall
ma llyy ma
ll maded ffor or ffive
iv
ve
years.
yea
ye ars.

15.2.6
15.2
2.6
6 The
The National
National Information
Informmatio
on Centre
Cen
ntre on
on Disability
Disabilityy and
and
Rehabilitation
bilitattion ((NICDR)
Rehab NICDR
R)
It was sset
ett up unde
under
d r CAC
CACUCU in n 19
11987
87 to provid
provide
de a database for comprehensive
information on aallll ffacilities
acil
acilit
itie
ties and welfare services for the disabled within the
country. serves as a pivotal resource hub under the Ministry of Social Justice
and Empowerment. NICDR aims to disseminate information, provide
technical assistance, and promote awareness of disability rights and
rehabilitation services across the country. It facilitates access to relevant data,
policies, and programmes for stakeholders, including persons with
disabilities, caregivers, policymakers, and NGOs. NICDR plays a crucial role
in advancing disability inclusion, advocating for rights, and fostering
initiatives to improve the quality of life and opportunities for individuals with
disabilities in India.

15.2.7 The National Council for Handicapped Welfare

(NCHW)
It functions as a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment. Its primary mandate is to formulate policies and programmes
aimed at promoting the welfare and empowerment of persons with
323
Professional Ethics, disabilities (PwDs) across the nation. NCHW plays a pivotal role in advising
Policies and Acts
the government on matters related to disability rights, accessibility,
rehabilitation, and social inclusion. It collaborates with various stakeholders
including government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs),
and disability rights activists to advocate for the rights and well-being of
PwDs and to ensure their participation in national development initiatives.

Check Your Progress 2

1) What is the objective of the Composite Regional Centre (CRC)?

…………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………

2) Discuss the role of the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center

(RRTC).
…………………………………………………………………………
………………
……………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………
………
…………
……………
…………
…………
……………
……
………
……………
…………………
…

How
3) Ho
H ny aand
w many where
nd w RRTC
heere the R have
ve bbeen
RTC hav
RT functioning
een fun
ncti i g uunder
tiionin
in DRCs
ndeer DRC
Cs
since
sinc
n e 1985
nc 1985?
5?
…………………………………………………………………………
……
…………
…………
……………
……………
………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………
……
…………
…………
………
………
………
…………
……
……………
…………
… ……
…………
…………
…………
………
………
…

4)) Di
4 Discuss
scuss tthe
isc aaim
he ai m of the
h N
he National
atio
io
ona Information
nall In
Info
orm
rmatio
io Centre
on Ce
Cent
ntre
ntre oon Disability
n Di
isa
sabi
bili
bi ty aand
lity
li nd
d
Rehabilitation.
Reh
Re habiilitation
o .
…………………………………………………………………………
……
…………………
………
…………
…………
………………
…… ………
………………
………
…… …………
…………
… ……
…
…………………………………………………………………………

5)) Delineate
li the
h role
l played
l d bby the
h National
i l Council
il ffor Handicapped
di d
Welfare.
…………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………

15.2.8 National Level Institutes

Over a while, National Institutes (NIs) in the field of disabilities have been
set up under the Department of Empowerment of PwDs, Ministry of Social
Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. NIs are like autonomous
bodies established under the Societies Registration Act, of 1860 focusing on
specific types of disabilities. These Institutes are primarily engaged in Human
Resources Development in the field of disability by conducting various
courses, providing rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities
324 (Divyangjan), and promoting Research and Development efforts in the
particular field of disability. To provide equal opportunities for education, Services and Schemes
for Disability
training, work, and participation in social, cultural, and political life, the
Government of India, State Governments, and the Union Territory (UT)
Administrations have introduced several affirmative initiatives, schemes, and
programmes. The Government of India has also put in place an impressive
legal framework, ensuring better protection and promotion of the rights of
persons with disabilities. The institutional arrangement put in place for the
training of special education teachers and rehabilitation workers, in the shape
of nine National Institutes, is of great importance. Apart from undertaking
HRD activities, these National Institutes are the major research bodies on
disability issues. They have contributed numerous techniques and
technologies facilitating equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in all
walks of life. There are Nine NIs established, as given here under:

1) National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual

Disabilities (NIEPVD), Dehradun

The National Institute for the Empowerme Empowerment m nt off Persons with Visual
Disabilities (Divyangj
(Divyangjan) g an) (NIEPVD)) at De Dehradun
ehrad
adun
un is on onee of tthe hee sseven
even
ev en
en
National
N ational
tional IInstitutes
nsttiitu
tute tess work
working
rkin
ingg under the the ad aadministrative
min
ministtrati
ratiive ccontrol
o tr
on trool of the th
he
Department
D epartrtmment ooff Em E
Empowerment
powe
po weerm
rmentt of P Persons
ersoons withh Di Dis
Disabilities
sabiilitiess (DE (DEPwDs),
DEPwD Ds),
Ministry
M ini
niistryy ooff SSocial
ociial a Ju Justice
ustice & Emp Empowerment,
mpow
mp wermeentt, Go Government
overrnm ment ntt off Ind
India.
dia. It was
eestablished
staablisish
shedd wayy ba back ck iin
n 1943 ass St. Du Dunsta
Dunstan’san’ss Ho
Hostel
ostell forr tthe
he W War ar B Blinded
linndeed to
pprovide
pro
pr ovidde rehre
rehabilitation
habili lita
li tation
ti n servi
ser
services
v ce
vi c s too the
the
h soldi
sol
soldiers
dierrs and sail
sailo
sailors
ors bl bblinded
in
nded in World
Warr III.
W
Wa I. In 195
1950,
9550, the G Government
ovvernm ment of IIndia
ndia ttook
oook over the S St.
t. DDunstan’s
unst
un stan’s Hostel
and en
an entruste
entrustedteed ththe same to o thee Mi
Ministry
inisttry off SoSocial
ocial Jus
Justice
usti
tice
ti ce aand
ndd E Empowerment,
mpow
mp wer erme
ment
me nt,
nt
with
w
wi t tthe
th he respo
responsibility
ons
n ibility y of dev developing
evelopoping co
op comprehensive
omp
m rehens nsiv
ns ve se serv
services
rviices ffor or tthe
he
rehabilitation
re
eha
habib liita
t tion
on off bl bblind
ind
in d person
persons.
o s.. S
on Subsequently,
ubbseequen
quently,
tly, services ffororr the blbli
blind
indd wiwitnessed
itnessed
essedd
remarkable
rema
maarkrkable le eexpansion.
xpan ansion n. In
I tthehe ssame
ame ye
am yyear,
ar, th
the
he Gove
Government
vern
ve rnmem nt eestablished
me s ab
st ablilish
li s ed d tthe
he
Training
Traini
Tr ing C Centre
entre ffor orr th
the Adul
Adult
ult
lt B
Blind
lind tot ensur
ensurere reinte
reintegration
egraatiion
ion of bblind lind
ndd ssoldiers
oldi
ol dierrs
di
including
incl
clud
uding ot
ud othe
other
h r pe
he pers
persons
rson
o s in the ffield
on ield of wo
ie work.
ork. In
n 11951,
951,, th
95 the
he G Government
o ernnmen
ov nmen nt
established
establishe hedd Central Braill
he Braillele P Press
ress (CBP); in 1952, Workshop for the
Manufacture of Brail Brailleille
l Appliances (MBA); in 1954, 1954 Sheltered Workshop; in
1957 Training Centre for the Adult Blind Women (TCAB); in 1959, Model
School for the Visually Handicapped (MSVH) and in 1963, National Library
for the Print Handicapped (NLPH) were established.

On integration of all these units in 1967, the Government established the

National Centre for the Blind (NCB). This Centre was further upgraded as
National Institute for the Visually Handicapped in the year 1979 and finally
in October 1982, it was registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860,
and acquired the status of an autonomous body. The NIEPVD is undoubtedly
one of the country’s prestigious institutions completing its glorious 75 years
of providing rehabilitation services to visually impaired persons. The
NIEPVD campus at Dehradun is spread across 1,74,150 sq. meters (43 acres)
of land area. The name of the Institute was also changed from NIVH to
NIEPVD in the year 2016. This is a landmark event as the change of name

325
Professional Ethics, and addition of Divyangjan is surely to bring about change in Society’s
Policies and Acts
outlook towards persons with visual disability.

The various facilities provided by this institute:

o Residential School for the Visually Impaired up to the 12th
o Central Braille Press which is the largest press of Braille literature for
school and college education
o Rehabilitative services for persons with visual disabilities
o Cross-disability early intervention and assessment services
o Post Graduate, Undergraduate, and Diploma courses in Special
Education and Rehabilitation Psychology
o Undertakes Research and developmental activities.

2) Ali Yavar Jung

n National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities
(AYJNISHD),
(AYJNISHD) ), Mumbai
Mu
umb
bai

It is an autautonomous
tonommouus organ
organisation
nisa
saation
onn uunder
n err th
nd the
he M Ministry
in
inistry
n y off Soc Social
ocia
iaal Ju
Justi
Justice
ice and
Empowerment,
Empopowe
po w rm ment, Gov
Government
o ernnmeentt of IIndia,
ov ndiaa, NNewew
w DeDelhi.
elhi. Th
The
he IInstitute
nsti
t tute is lo
ti locatedd in
Mumbai.
Mumb
Mu mbai
mb a. R
ai Regional
egio
onal
a Ce
al Centres
entrres off thee InsInstitute
stituute wer
werere eestablished
sttab
a liish
s ed d inn KKolkata
olk
kataa
(1984),
(19884)
4 , New
New Delhi
Deelhii (19
(1986),
986)), Se
Secunderabad
ecu
c nder erabaad ((1986),
er 19886), andd Bhu
Bhubaneshwar
hubaneshhwar (1
hu (198
(1986-
86-
in asso
association
ociaati
tion wwith
ithh the Gove
Government
ernme ment
nt off Orissa). These are centers aimed at
meeting
m
me etin
ng lolocal
ocal aand
ndd regional nee needs
eeeds iin
n te
tterms
rms of manpower development and
services.
serrvicees.

The Dist
Th District
s rict D
st Disability
isaability Re
R
Rehabilitation
h biilita
ha lita
tati
tion
tion C Centre
entrre (D(DDR
(DDRCs)
DRCs
DR Cs)) un
Cs under
nde
derr Gr
Gra
Gramin
amin
in
Punarvasan
Pu
una
n rvvassan YYojana
ojanna (GPY), ) a pprogramme
rogr
g amme of the Ministry y off Social Justice
and
d EmEmpo
Empowerment,
owermen nt,
t Gover
Government
ernm
er menent of IIndia
ndia
nd iaa w
was
as sta
started
tart
tartted iinn th
the
he yeyea
yearar 22000.
000.
00 0.. T
The
he
objective
obje
ob jectiv
je ve of the pro
programme
r grammme iiss to pprovide
ro
ovidde ttotal
otaal reh
ot rehabilitation
ehab
eh abiilit
itat
itatio
at ionn to ppersons
io ersons
er ns withh
sensory
sens
n or
ns ory (hearing aand nd vision)
vision),
), andd ph
physical
hysical and menta
mentalt l ddisabilities.
isabi
b liiti
ties.
i Un U
Under
d r this
de
programme, 24 DDRCs were allotted to AYJNISHD. All 24 DDRCs, on
completion of successful establishment and running for three years, are
handed over to State Governments/District Administration/NGOs.

The objectives are as follows:

x Manpower Development: To deal with the various aspects of

rehabilitation of the Hearing Handicapped, various undergraduate and
postgraduate courses are being offered. The Institute is rated excellent by
the RCI.

x Research: Research in the areas of identification, intervention,

educational approaches, remedial teaching methods, jobs for the hearing
handicapped, and technology development have been carried out.

x Educational Programmes: By studying the existing school for the deaf,

curriculum followed, methods of teaching, etc., and supplementing or
326
 strengthening them by way of improving existing educational facilities Services and Schemes
for Disability
and developing new strategies wherever required, newer measures such
as open schools for the illiterate/drop out is being conducted as model
activity.

x Service Facilities: Strategies for early identification and rehabilitative

procedures. films and audiovisuals on vocational training and job
placement, etc. are being developed.

x Community Programme: Identification and intervention, home-bound

training, correspondence training, and also tele–rehabilitation services
are being rendered and evolved with emerging needs.

x Material Development: Required for (a) education, like teaching aids,

audiovisuals, etc. (b) public awareness and community education, a
literacy programme for adult deaf, Parent Counseling, and Programme
for strengthening voluntary organizations.

x Cochlear Implant Surgery : Nodal agency agenc

n y for Cochlear Implant
nc
Surgeryy an
aand
d poppost-operative
s -o
st -ope
p ra
per tive rehab
rehabilitation.
bil
ilit
itat
ation.
n Att pr
present
resen
en
nt 1866 hospit
hospitals
talss are
empanelled
em
mpa
p nelled d ffor
o the
or he ssaid
aid surg
su
surgery.
urg
rgery.

x C
Cross-disability
ros
oss-
s di
disabi
b li
bility
ty eearly
arly inter
intervention
rve
v nttio
i n and asse
assessment
s ssm
mennt ser
services.
e viice
cess.

x In
Information
nform matio on and d Documentation:
Docu
c ment
cu ntatio
io
on: Documenting
Doc
o um
u enting aand
n ddisseminating
nd isssemi
m nating the
latest
la
atest inf
information
for
orma
m tionn aand
n ddevelopments
nd e elo
ev opme
ments in
i tthe
he science ooff he
hea
hearing,
aring, speech,
and rela
an related
laated te
ttechnology
chnologgy is bein
being
ng do
done.

Composite
Com
Co mpossit
i e Regi
Regional
ion
onal
al C Center
enteer (C
(CRC),
CRC C),) at Bhop
Bhopal,
o al, AhAhmedabad,
hme
m dad baad,
d N Nagpur,
agpu
puur, aand
nd
Chhatarpur
Chhha
hata
tarpur
ta ur iiss a servicee mo m
model
del in
de initiated
nit
itiiated
d by the
h Min
Ministry
nis
istryy off Soc
Social
ociaal Ju
oc Justic
Justice
icee &
ic
Empowerment,
E
Em poowe
werm
rment, t GGovernment
over
ov errnment
nm of IIndia,
ndiaa, and hahhass been
en ffunctioning
uncctio
un ctio
ioni
ning
ning uunder
nder
nd er tthe
he
administrative
ad
dministra
mi atiive ccontrol
ontr
ontrol
ol ooff AY
AYJ
AYJNISHD.
JN HD
JNISHDH .

3) National
al Institute
Ins
nsti
titu
tute
te for
for
o the
the
h Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual
Disabilities (NIEPID), Secunderabad

The National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual

Disabilities (Formerly National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped) was
established in the year 1984 at Secunderabad (TS). It is an Autonomous Body
under the administrative control of the Department of Empowerment of
Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice &
Empowerment, Government of India. NIEPID is dedicated to providing
quality services to Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (Divyangjan) in the
National interest.

NIEPID has three regional centers located in Noida/ New Delhi, Kolkata, &
Mumbai. The institute endeavors to excel in building capacities to empower
Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (Divyangjan). Since the quality of life
of every person with Intellectual Disabilities (Divyangjan) is equal to other
citizens in the country, in that they live independently to the maximum extent
327
Professional Ethics, possible and through constant professional endeavors, the National Institute
Policies and Acts
for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities empowers the
Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (Divyangjan) to access the state of the
art rehabilitation intervention viz., educational, therapeutic, vocational,
employment, leisure and social activities, sports, cultural programmes, and
full participation. The objectives for which NIEPID works are listed as under:
x Human Resources Development.
x Research and Development.
x Development of models of care and rehabilitation.
x Documentation and dissemination.
x Consultancy services to voluntary organizations.
x Community-Based Rehabilitation.
x Extension andd Outr
Outreach
reaach
c programmes.

To achieve optimumopt
p im
mum rresults,
esul
es u ts, th tthee ininst
institute
stit
i utte ha hhass dedevelope
developed p d an andd introd
introduced
o uc
od u ed
innovative
in
nno
n vative struc
structured
cture
r d tr
training
rainningg cou
courses
ours
ou rses
e li like
ike Earl
Earlyrlyy In
IIntervention,
teerven
ention
o , Re
on R
Rehabilitation
h billitattion
ha
Psychology,
P
Ps yccho
h logyy, Spec
Special
e iaal Ed
Education,
ducatiion, and Dis Disability
sab bilityy ReRehabilitation
ehabbiliitatiion at thee M Masters
assters
level.
leve
veel. T
The
h ttraining
he rainin
ing prog
programmes
grammmmes aare re ooffered
fferred on grad gradual
duall scscale
calee fr
ffrom
om
m cer
certificate
e tifficaate
er t -
diploma
diplom
omma - un under
undergraduate
rgraaduatte - grad
graduate
addua
u tee - pospostgraduate
stgrradu uate -Ma
-Masters
asters
rss level
levels.
ls.
s Pres
Presently,
essen
e tly,
y,
the Ins
th Institute
stitut
u e con
ut conducts
nduc
u ts 5 Certi
Certificate
tiificaate C Courses,
ouurs
r es, 3 Diploma Courses (DSE(MR),
DVR, DECSE).
DV DEC CSE).. FFurther,
urther, 1 Gr Grad
Graduate
aduauatete course (B.Ed Spl. Ed (MR)), 1 Post-
graduate
graaduaate
t D Diploma
iplom
ma coursee (P (PGD
(PGDEI),
GDEI
GD EI),, 1 M
EI Master
asste
terr co
course see ((M.Ed
M.Ed
M. Ed S Spl.
pl.. Ed
pl Ed),
d), andnd 1
M.Phil
M
M. Phhil (Re
(Rehabilitation
Rehabiilitaati
Re t on Psy
Psychology)
ychol ologgy) llevel
ol evel ccourses
our es iin
ours n afaffi
affiliation
fili
liat
liatio
at ionn wi
io w
withth ddifferent
iffe
if f reent
n
universities.
u niv
versi
siiti
tiees.

Th
The
he rresearch
esear
arc
rch polic
policy
cy of tthe
he iinstitute
nstitu
nst tute
tute iiss to
o ccontinuously
onttinu
on nuou
nu o sl
ou slyy up
upda
update
date
da te tthe
he res
he research
esearcch
es
need m
ne matrix
a rix that bbasically
at asicallly ccovers
over
over
erss (a
(a)
a) tthe
hee li
lif
life-cycle
fe-c
-cyc
-cycle
yc le nneeds
eeeds
ds ooff Pe
Pers
Persons
sonns withh
Intellectual
Inte
tell
tellectual Disabil
ll Disabilities
ilities (Divyangjan) (b) the holistic development of Persons
il
with Intellectual Disabilities (Divyangjan) including therapeutic
interventional needs, family support, resource support, capacity building
needs, and (c) public policy and enabling society. The documentation and
dissemination are important activities of the Institute which include (a)
procurement of books, journals, and documents (b) publication of quarterly
NIEPID newsletter, and bimonthly Mentard Bulletin. The Institute conducts
International and National level Conferences/Seminars/Workshops on
Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (Divyangjan) in partnership with
leading voluntary organizations and parent associations. Special employees
National meet at NIEPID, National meet of parent organizations, and
National level Workshops. To rehabilitate the Persons with Intellectual
Disabilities (Divyangjan) in the community, the services should be rendered
at the grassroots level itself. The services to be provided at these centers
include identification, screening, assessment, delivery of services, training of
local resource persons, and supply of training material to the needy persons.

328
The institute focuses on quality in every aspect of its functioning to bring Services and Schemes
for Disability
equality and dignity to the lives of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities
(Divyangjan), which is endorsed by ISO 9001: 2015 certification.

4) Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with

Physical Disabilities (PDUNIPPD), New Delhi

PDUNIPPD is an autonomous organization under the administrative and

financial control of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment,
Government of India. The institute, formerly known as Institute for the
Physically Handicapped (IPH), was established as a non-governmental
organization in the year 1960 by the Society for crippled and handicapped
and came into being when the erstwhile Jawahar Lal Nehru Institute of
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and other allied institution run by the
Council for the Aid of Crippled & Handicapped were taken over by the Govt.
of India on 22nd May 1975 and converted into an autonomous body in the
year 1976. It registered as a society in the year 1976 under the Societies
Registration Act 1860.

The
T e institutee wa
Th renamed
wass re
ena
name
m d as Pt. Dee
me Deendayal
e nddayal Upadhyaya
a U padh
dhya
yaaya Institute
y Ins stitu
ute forr the
Physically
Physical Handicapped
allly Han andi
d capp
di pped (PDUIPH)
ed (PD
PDUI
PD U PH) in 200 2002 subsequently
0 2 andd sub bsequuentlly to Pt.
Deendayal
Deenndayaal Up Upadhyaya
Upad
dhyaaya NaNational
ati
t onala In
al Institute
nstitu
ute forr PPersons
errsons
ns wwith
ith P Physical
hyssical
Disabilities
Disa
sabili
liti (Divyangjan)
ivyangjan) in thee yyear
itiess (Di 2016.
eaar 20
016.

The Institute
Th In ns the ffollowing
nstitutte runs w ng pprograms:
o lowi
ol wi rogrrams:

o Bachelor
B achellor
o ooff Physical all Th
Therapy,
herappy, Ba
B
Bachelor
cheelorr of Oc
Occupational
ccu
cupa
paationnal T
Therapy,
herapy
p , an
py andd
Bachelor
Bachel
Ba Prosthetics
elor off Prosthet Orthotics,
etiics & Or
Orthot o ics, 4 ½ years dur
ot duration
uratio
ur ion co
io course
cou wel aass
urse as well
Post Graduate
st G r duat
ra Degreee iin
atee De
at nPProsthetics
rossth
theticss & OrOrthotics
O thotics of 2-year Duration in
affiliation
affi
aff liat
atio
tio
ionn wi th tthe
with University
he U niv
niversit
ity
ity of
o DDelhi.
elhi.

o Outpat
Outpatient
atie
atient
ien cclinical
nt lini
linica
cal
al se
serv
services
rvic
rvices in
ic nPPhysical
hysical T
Therapy,
herapyy, Oc
Occu
Occupational
cu
upa
pati
t on
tionaal T
Therapy,
herapy
he py,
py
and
an
nd Sp
Speech Therapy.

o Workshop for the fabrication of Orthotic and Prosthetic appliances

including calipers, splints, artificial limbs, surgical boots and customized
wooden furniture for persons with different types of locomotor
impairments.

o Out-reach camps for the economically weaker disabled persons, living in

far-flung and remote areas, with the help of concerned district
administration and locally active non-governmental organizations.

o Extension of institutional comprehensive rehabilitation services to

persons with disabilities by establishing and operational the Southern
Regional Centre (SRC), Secunderabad (AP), Composite Regional
Centres at Lucknow and Srinagar, District Disability Rehabilitation
Centres (DDRCs) in the state of Rajasthan and facilitating the
establishment of Regional Spinal Injury Centre at Bareilly (U.P.).
329
Professional Ethics, 5) Swami Vivekanand National Institute of the Rehabilitation Training
Policies and Acts
and Research (SVNIRTAR), Cuttack

Swami Vivekanand National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and

Research (SVNIRTAR) is an Autonomous Body under the Department of
Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DIVYANGJAN), Ministry of
Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India. It is located in a rural area
at Olatpur at a distance of 30 km. from Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. It conducts
three Bachelor’s Degree courses in Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy,
Prosthetics, and Orthotics, and three Postgraduate courses in Occupational
Therapy, Physiotherapy, Prosthetics & Orthotics affiliated with Utkal
University, Bhubaneswar. It also has an accreditation for DNB in Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation of the National Board of Examination (NBE),
New Delhi. It also conducts Short Orientation Courses, Continuing Medical
Education courses for Rehabilitation professionals, awareness programmes
for the functionaries of Government and Non-Government, Persons with
Disabilities and their relatives, etc. It has a hospital, wards with 100 beds,
Theatrres, X-
Operation Theatres, X-ray and pathological investigations, Physio-
Occupational Thera apy sservices,
Therapy ervvices,, C
er linica
li call Psyc
Clinical ycho
h lology
Psychology, gyy, Vocation onal
Vocational al Counsel elling,
Counselling,
S eech and
Sp
Speech d Heaaring
n , an
Hearing, nd ffabrication
and abr
brricattio
ion of reh habil
i it
itat
a ionn off aaids
rehabilitation idss an
and ap
aappliances.
plliancces.
It pprovides
r videss to
ro otal me
total ediccal re
medical ehabiilitattionn ffor
rehabilitation or ppersons
erssonns w ithh Lo
with oco omo
Locomotorotor
Diisa
s biili
l ti
t es.
Disabilities.

The in instit
tut
u e co
institute ontin nuedd to pro
continued ro
ovivide
provide de re ehab bilittat
atio
rehabilitation ion se erv
rviices ((Physiotherapy
services Phys
Ph ysio
siotherapyy andannd
Occupa pationnal Th
Occupational hera
r py) throug
Therapy) ug
through gh its thre reee Sub-centres at Cuttack, Dhenkanal,
re
three
an
nd Bh
and hubananesw
Bhubaneswar.war. Institu ute pprovides
Institute roviide
ro dess tetech
c ni
nica
call an
ca
technical andd ma
manpnpow
np
manpower wer sup u po ort tto
support o th
thee
Co ompo
Compositeositte Reg gionnal Cen
Regional ntr
Centretre (C (CRCRC),
RC
(CRC), ), G uwwahahat
Guwahati, ati,
at i, A ssam
ss
Assam m ((One
Onee of tthe
On he ffive
ivee
iv
ceenter
ers es
er
centers establlisheed by M
established oSJ&
oS
MoSJ&E, &E, G ovvernm
Governmentmenentt of IIndia)
ndia) to pprovide
nd rovi
ro v de
com
co mpreehe
hensiv
comprehensive ve rehah bilitation service and Human Resource Development in
rehabilitation
t e no
th
the norrt as
rtheas
northeasta t region
o . It w
region. wasas eestablished
sttab
abli
liisheded aand
ndd bbecame
eccam
amee fufunc
ncti
nc tiion
onal
functional al iin
n Ma
Marc
Marchrchh -
rc
2001 under
2001 und
nder the ccontrol
nd ontroll aand
nd ssupervision
uper
up ervi
er viision
on ooff Di D ire
recctor
re
Director or S VNIR
VN IRTA
IR
SVNIRTAR. TAR.. Nin Ninene
Distririct
ri
Districtc Disabilityy Rehabi
ct bili
bilita
li tattion
ta
Rehabilitation on C entr
en
Centrestres ((DDRCs)
tr DDRC
DD RCs)s)) iin
n Bi
Biha
harr, C
ha
Bihar, hhatti
hh tissgarh,
ti
Chhattisgarh, h
M dhya Pradesh, and Odisha were successfully established by the institute
Ma
Madhya
and d hhave bbeen ffunctioning
i i well ll under
d the h Di i M
District Management T Team (DMT)
by the chairmanship of the District Collector.

It conducts Rehabilitation Camps in rural, remote, and interior areas of

Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh,
Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and North-Eastern States to provide rehabilitation
services (fabrication and fitment, distribution of rehabilitation aids and
appliances, surgical camps) in the door steps of the Persons with Disabilities
who cannot go to bigger cities. It has a good Library, Information, and
Documentation service facility to disseminate information in the fields of
disability, rehabilitation, and related areas. Provides consultancy services to
Government and Non- Government Organisations in setting/providing
rehabilitation services.

6) National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities (NILD), Kolkata

330 National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities (Divyangjan) is an apex

organization in the area of locomotor disability which came into the service Services and Schemes
for Disability
in 1978 as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment, Government of India. It is located in the city of Kolkata and
expanding its services whole country-wide.

The objectives are: (1) To develop Human Resources (manpower) for

providing services to the Orthopaedically Handicapped population, namely
training of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Orthotists &
Prosthetists, Employment & Placement Officers and Vocational Counsellors
etc. (2) To conduct and sponsor research in all aspects related to the
rehabilitation of the Orthopaedically handicapped. (3) To provide services in
the area of rehabilitation, restorative surgery, aids & appliances, and
vocational training to persons with disability. (4) To standardize aids and
appliances and to promote their manufacturing and distribution. (5) To
provide consultancy to the State Government and voluntary agencies. (7) To
serve as an apex documentation and information centre in the area of
disability & rehabilitation.

It also provides a 50-bed hospital and engages

enggagges inn co
correcti
corrective
tive
ve ssurgery,
urge
ur gery,, OP
OPDD
aand
nd Radiol
Radiology
olog
oggy Se
Services,
ervicces, an
and
nd Ph
P
Physical
ysical M
Medicine
ediicin
ne & Reha
Rehabilitation.
habi
bilita
bi tati
ation
o .

77)) Indian
In
ndian
an Sign
Siggn Language
Si Lan
nguage Research
R seear
Re a ch & Training
Tra
ain
i ingg Centre
Cen
ntre (ISLRTC),
(ISL
LRTC)), New
New
Delhi
Dellhi

In thee 2000s
2000s,
0ss, th
the
he Indi
Indian
ian ddeaf
e f com
ea community
mmunu ity aadvocated
un dvo
v cated forr an iinstitute
nssti
titute
t focused
te
th
on ISL IS
SL teaching
teachch
hin
ingg an
and
nd re
rresearch.
seaarch. Th The
he 11 1 F Five
ive Year P Plan
lann (2
la (2007-2012)
acknowledged
acknow
ac owledg
dgged
ed tthat
h t the ne
ha needs
eedss of ppeople
eo
ople wwith
ith
h heari
hearing
ing g ddisabilities
isab
is bilittie
ies hadd be
been
en
rrelatively
relaative
veely nneglected
egleccted and nd env
envisaged
n isag
nv agedd tthe
he ddevelopment
evvel
e opment nt ooff a si sign
g lanlanguage
nguag ge
research
rese
seaarch h and
ndd train
training
inin
iningg cent
center,
nteer,, tto
o ppromote
ro
omo ote and
n develop sign language and
training
trainningg off te
ning teac
teachers
a heers aand
nd iinterpreters.
nterprret
nt e ers. T
The
h Fin
he Finance
nance M Minister
in
nis
iste
teer an
announced
nno
noun
unccedd th
un thee
setting
se
ett
t ing up ooff ISLRTC TC in thee UnUni
Union ion Bu
B
Budget
udget spe
speech
eech off 22010-11.
0110-11
0-111.

As a rresult,
esul
esu t, in 2011, the Mi
Min
Ministry
nistry of Soci
Social
ciial Justice and Empowerment
approved the eestablishment
sttabli
blishment
h of the Indian Sign Language Research and
Training Center (ISLRTC) as an autonomous center of the Indira Gandhi
National Open University (IGNOU), Delhi. The foundation stone of the
center was laid at the IGNOU campus on 4th October 2011. In 2013, the
center at IGNOU was closed.

In an order dated 20th April 2015, the Ministry decided to integrate ISLRTC
with the regional center of the Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Hearing
Handicapped (AYJNIHH) in Delhi. However, the Deaf community
protested this decision due to the different perspectives and goals of
ISLRTC and AYJNIHH.

The protests and meetings with the ministers resulted in the Union Cabinet
approving the setting up of ISLRTC as a Society under the Department of
Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, MSJE, in a meeting held on
22nd September 2015. An order to this effect was issued by the MSJE on
28th September 2015, leading to the establishment of ISLRTC. 331
Professional Ethics, As per the 2011 Census, the total population of deaf persons in India
Policies and Acts
numbered about 50 lakh. The needs of the deaf community have long been
ignored and the problems have been documented by various organizations
working for the deaf. Obsolete training methodology and teaching systems
need urgent attention.

Indian Sign Language (ISL) is used in the deaf community all over India.
However, ISL is not used in deaf schools to teach deaf children. Teacher
training programs do not orient teachers towards teaching methods that use
ISL. No teaching material incorporates sign language. Parents of deaf
children are not aware about sign language and its ability to remove
communication barriers. ISL interpreters are an urgent requirement at
institutes and places where communication between deaf and hearing people
takes place but India has only less than 300 certified interpreters.

Therefore, an institute that met all these needs was a necessity. After a long
struggle by the deaf community, the Ministry approved the establishment of
ISLRTC in New De Delhi 8th September 2015.
elhi on 228

Thee main ac
T
Th activities
ctiv
i iittiess of ISLR
ISLRTC
RTC
C are:

x Develops
D
De veloops tr
trained
rain
ned eexpertise
xpeertiise ffor
or us
using,
singg, te
teach
teaching,
hing, an
and
nd con
conducting
nductiing rresearch
essearrch
in IIndian
n iaan Si
nd Sign
ign Lang
Language.
guaage.
e.

x Di om
Diploma
Diplom
o a co
course
ourrse in Indi
Indian
ian
a SSign
ig
gn LaLanguage
anguage Interpretation (DISLI) and
Diploma
Di
ipl
p om
ma in
n Tea
Teaching
e ching Indi
Indian
ian
nSSign
ignn L
ig Language
anguage (DTISL)

x A we
well-researched
ell
ll-ressearcched dict
dictionary
ctiona
ct nary
nary ooff In
Indian
an ssign
ignn la
ig llanguage
n uaage ((10000
ng 100000 wo
10 word
words)
rds)
rd s))
developed.
d eveelo
oped.
d.

x Signed
Sig
Si gn aan
gned n Mo
MoU
oU with
hN NCERT
CERT
CE RT tto
o cconvert
onv
nver
nv e t co
course bbooks
ooks
ks aand
nd m
materials
ater
ateriials
er ls ffor
or
cclasses
lassees I to XII
I into ssign
II iggn lan
language.
angu
anguag
gu age..
ag

x Promotion
P
Pr omotion off aaccessible
ccessiblle Indi
Indian
d an S
Sign
ign La
L
Language
nguage iin
n audi
audio-visual
d o-viisuall & social
media.

8) National Institute of Mental Health and Rehabilitation (NIMHR),

Sehore

This is a Central Autonomous Institute under the Department of

Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social
Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. It is registered as a Society
under the MP Societies Registration Act, of 1973. It is a National Institute
working in the area of mental health rehabilitation. The broad objectives are
to:
x To promote mental health rehabilitation using an integrated
multidisciplinary approach.
x To promote and undertake capacity building and to be involved in
developing trained professionals in the area of mental health
rehabilitation.
332
x To engage in research and development and policy framing towards Services and Schemes
for Disability
promoting mental health rehabilitation services.

NIMHR provides rehabilitation and clinical services & also runs a

Certificate Course in Care Giving (CCCG Mental Health), a Diploma in
Community-Based Rehabilitation (DCBR), and Diploma in Vocational
Rehabilitation- Intellectual Disability (DVR-ID).

9) National Institute For Empowerment of Persons with Multiple

Disabilities (Divyangjan)

When a child has several different disabilities we say, that he/she has
multiple disabilities. For example, a child may have difficulties in learning,
along with controlling her movements and/or with hearing and vision. The
effect of multiple disabilities can be more than the combination of two
individual disabilities. A child who has multiple disabilities should receive
help as early as possible so that he/she can n be help
helped
ped to achieve his/her
ppotential,
po tential, and so that his/her disabilitie
disabilities
es wi
w
will
l nnot
ll ot bec
become
e om
ecome wo
wors
worse.
rse.
e.

This
T his ins
institute
nsstitutee w was
as est
established
tab
abli
lish
shed iin
sh n 20
22005
05 in CChennai
hen nnai und
under
derr thee Mo MoSJE
oSJE E too ser
serve
rve
aass a nnational
atio ona
nall reso
resource
our
u cee center fo for the
th
h emempowerment
mpow werm r ennt off ppersons
e soons w
er with
ithh mu
multiple
ultiple
ddisabilities.
isa
sabililitties.. Th
li The
he in
institute
nst
stit
itut
utee undertak
ut undertakesa es hhuman
ak uman n res
resource
e ourc rce ddevelopment
eveelo lopm
pmen
ment in vvarious
arioous
functional
func
fu n tiion
o al aareas
r ass ccovering
re overering iniinter-disciplinary
ter-di
discip plinary
y aandnd trans-d
trans-disciplinary
dis
i ciplplin
in
naryy activities
for th
fo the
he empowe
empowerment
erm
rmenentt off P
PwMD
wM MD th throug
through
ugh th
the
he st
sstate
ate re
rehabilitation
ehabi bililita
t ti
tion
on intintervention
nterveventntio
ionn
vviz,
vi z, eeducational,
d caationall, therapeu
du therapeutic,
eutic,, voc
vocational,
ocatioi nal, emp
io employment,
m loymen ennt, lleisure,
eisu
ei sure
su re,, an
re aandd sosoci
social
cial
cial
activities,
ac
ctiivi
v tiies, sp sportss as al also
soo thr
through
rough ddeveloping
evelop
ev pingg variouss ap approaches
pproaach hes iincluding
nccluding
lu ng
community
comm
mmunit
mm ityy rrehabilitation,
it ehabilitationonn, pr projec
project ct mana
management
n geme
na m nt and cap capacity
pac
acityy buildi
building
d ngg of
NGOs.
N
NG Os.. It also pr
Os ppromotes
omot
om otes
es aand
nd cconducts
onnductts resear
research
rch
c in aalllll aareas
rea
eas re
ea rela
relating
atiing g tto
o MD
andd un
uundertakes
dert r ak
rt a es tthe
he ttraining
raainin
rain ing
ng ooff train
trainers
ine
ners and pr
professionals
rofessiononal
on alss in tthe
al he aarea
reaa of eearly
arrly
y
intervention,
interven entitiion
on, early childhoo
childhood od eeducation,
ducation, spe special
ecial education, and vocational
training. It provides various services such as Rehabilitation Medicine,
training Medicine
Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, Sensory Integration, Early
Intervention Services, Prosthetics & Orthotics, Special education,
Psychological Assessments and Interventions, Speech, Hearing &
Communication, Vocational training, Vocational Guidance & Counseling,
Deafblind, Community-based Rehabilitation, Special Clinics (Psychiatric,
Neurology & Ophthalmology). Family cottages are provided to families of
clients from distant places for not more than one week

Various courses are offered such as B.Ed and M.Ed in special education,
postgraduate diploma in early intervention, M.Phil in Clinical Psychology,
Diploma in special education for multiple disabilities, bachelor in
physiotherapy, occupational therapy, etc.

333
Professional Ethics,
Policies and Acts
Check Your Progress 3

1) What are the facilities provided by the National Institute for

Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities?
………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………

2) Which Institute is endorsed by ISO9001:2015 certification?

………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………

3) Delineate the objectives of the National Institute for Locomotor

Disabilities.
………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………
………………
…………
…………………………………………………

4) In what
wha
hatt w
way
ayy Ind
Indian
dian Sig
Sign
gn Lang
Language
nguagge Inter
ng Interpreters
erpr
p eter
erss ca
er can
an he
hhelp
lp tthe
h D
he Deaf
eaff
community?
commmunitty?
………………………………………………………………………
… ………
…………
……………
…………………
……………
…………
………
…………
…………
………………………………………………………………………
……
………
…………
………
…………
… ……
…………
…………
…………………
…………
………
……………
…

5)) Identify
5 Iden
ntiify th
the
he mmain
ain activiti
activities
ies uundertaken
ndertaken
d byy the National Institute of
Mental
M ent
n al HHealth
ealtth and Re
Reha
Rehabilitation
haabi
bili
littati
li tion
o (NI
on (NIMHR).
IMH
MHR)
R)..
R)
………………………………………………………………………
……
………
……………………………………………
……………………
………………………………………………………………………
… …………………
………
…………
… ……
………………
…………
…… … ……
………
………
………
………

115.3
5.3 ACCES
ACCESSIBLE
SSIBLE INDIA CAMPAIGN
Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) is a nationwide
campaign for achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities
(PwDs) being implemented by the Department of Empowerment of Persons
with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. It
has three important verticals of implementation, namely, Build the
Environment, the Transportation Sector, and the ICT Ecosystem.

The Accessible India Campaign was launched on 3rd December 2015 on the
occasion of International Day of Disabilities. The vision of the Accessible
India Campaign is to create a barrier-free environment for independent, safe,
and dignified living of Persons with Disabilities. The Vision statement
declares: “Accessible India. Empowered India.” The Accessible India
Campaign drew inspiration from the United Nations Convention on Rights
for Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD; 2007) to which India is a signatory.
The Action Plan and targets of the Accessible India Campaign have been
334
derived from Goal 3 of the Incheon Strategy which endeavors to “Make the Services and Schemes
for Disability
Right Real”.

To provide full legislative cover to the Campaign and the Right to

accessibility, the Government enacted the Rights for Persons with
Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 which came into force in April 2017.
Accessibility became a Right for the Divyangjan unlike previously, when it
was being seen merely as a welfare measure. Non-compliance with the
provisions of the Act or Rules there under has been made punishable by
fines and imprisonment. Thus, the Accessible India Campaign became an
instrument to actualize the provisions of the Act. The RPwD Act, 106
through Sections 40-46 mandates accessibility to be ensured in all public-
centric buildings, transportation systems, Information & Communication
Technology (ICT) services, consumer products, and all other services being
provided by Government or other service providers in a time-bound manner.
The Act also provides for the formulation of Accessibility Standards/
Guidelines for incorporation across various sectors. under the Accessible
India Campaign, Grant-In-Aid is released to St S
States/UTs
ates/U
UTs for making selected
and access audited buildings in identified 499 citi cities
ies aacross
crosss In
Indi
India
d a acaaccessible
ceess
ssib
i le
tthrough
hrough retr
retrofitting
trof
ofit
of i ting
it n fea
features
e tu
ure
r s of accessib
accessibility
bility
y inn them
them.
m. F
Funds
und
nds ar
nd aaree al
aalso
soo gi
given
ivenn tto
o
ERNET
E RNEET fo
fforr ma
m
making
kiin sel
king selected
elec
ecte
ted Stat
te St
State/UT
tat
a e/
e UT Gove
Government
ernm
nment we
nm websites
ebs
bsitess acces
accessible.
e siiblee.

The
T hee fo
ffollowing
lllowin
in
ng ar
aaree th
the targets un
under
nde
d r th
tthee thre
three
ee ve
vverticals
rticcals off tthe
he ccampaign:
ampaiign::
am

I) Bu
Built
uilt En
Environment
nvi
v ro
onm
n en
nt Acce
Accessibility
cessibil
ility
a) T
Target
arget 11.1:
.1: C
.1 Conducting
onducctingg acc
accessibility
cessi
sib
bility
y aaudit
udit ooff at lea
least
ast 225-50
5 50
5- 0 m
most
ostt
os
important
im
mport
rtant ggovernment
overnmeent buibuildings
ildin
ngs aandnd convert
converting
tingg th
them
em iinto
nto fu
full
fully
lly
lly
accessible
acce
c ssib
ce ib
ble bu
buildings
uildin
ngs in th
the sselected
elect
cteed 50
0 citi
cities.
ies.
b) Ta
Targ
Target
r ett 11.2:
rg . : Co
.2 Conv
Converting
nver
nv e ti
erting
ng 50%
0% of al
aalll the govern
government
rnnme
mennt bbuildings
uild
ui ldin
ldin
ngs off ththee
National
Na
ati
tion
on
nal
a Capit
Capital
i al and aall
ll thee State ccapitals
apitalss in
into
nto
o ffully
ully
ully aaccessible
ccces
esssib
siblee
buildings.
building
bu gs.
c) Target 11.3:
.3:
3: Co
Cond
Conducting
nduc
ucti
ting
ti n an audit of 50% of government buildings and
converting them into fully accessible buildings in the 10 most important
cities/towns of all the States (other than those, which are already
covered in Target 1.1 and 1.2 above).

An accessible built or physical environment benefits everyone, not just

persons with disabilities. Measures should be undertaken to eliminate
obstacles and barriers to indoor and outdoor facilities including schools,
medical facilities, and workplaces. Further, these would include all public
spaces such as roads, footpaths, parks and gardens etc. Built Environment
Accessibility, as described in NBC, 2016 includes ease of independent
approach, entry, evacuation and/or use of a building and its services and
facilities, by all of the building’s potential users with an assurance of
individual health, safety, and welfare during those activities.

All public-centric buildings, i.e. buildings which are extensively used by

public need to be made accessible. The Rights for Persons with Disabilities 335
Professional Ethics, Act, 2016 Section 2(w) defines ‘Public Buildings’ as Government or private
Policies and Acts
buildings, used or accessed by the public at large, including a building used
for educational or vocational purposes, workplace, commercial activities,
public utilities, religious, cultural, leisure or recreational activities, medical
or health services, law enforcement agencies, reformatories or judicial foras,
railway stations or platforms, roadways bus stands or terminus, airports or
waterways, etc.

It is important that the entire building is made accessible so that all users of
the building including officials, staff, and residents irrespective of age,
gender, or disability can access the premises and benefit from an accessible
building.

II) Transportation System Airports

a) Target 2.1: Conducting accessibility audit of all the international
airports and converting them into fully accessible international airports
b) Target 2.2: Co
Conducting
onduuctinng accessibility audit of all the domestic airports
and converting
g them
m in
into ful
fully
ully
ly aaccessible
cces
ccessibl
blee ai
aairports
rpor
rp orts
t Railw
Railways
way
a s
c)) Ta
T
Target
rget 3.1: En
Ensuring
nsurinng tthat
haat A1
A
A1,
1, A & B cate
categories
tegoori
r es off rail
railway
ilwa
ilwayy sta
stations
atio
ons in
th
the
he cou
country
untry aree con
converted
nverrteed in
into
nto ful
fully
ully acc
accessible
cesssible rail
railway
lwa
way st
station
stations
ns
d) Target
T rg
Ta get
e 3.2: EnEnsuring
nsuriing tha
that
at 50%% of railwa
railway
ay statio
stations
ons in the ccountry
o ntry
ou ry
y are
converted
co
onver
ertted into
to fully aaccessible
c esssi
cc sibl
ble rrailway
bl ailway stations Public Transport
(Buses)
(B
Busess)
e) Ta
Target
arget
e 4.1:: En
et Ensuring
nsuring tthat
hatt 2525%
% of Gov
Government-owned
ver
ernm
nmen
nm ent-
en t ow
o need pu publ
public
bliic tra
bl transport
raans
nspo
p rt
po
ccarriers
arrie
i rs in tthe
ie he co
ccountry
untry aare
ree cconverted
onv
nver
nverte
ertedd in
te into
nto ful
fully
lly aaccessible
cces
cc essi
essibl
siblee carr
bl carriers
rrie
rr iers
ier
rs
Transportation
Transp
Tr spor
sp ortation
or o is a vital co
on comp
component
mp pon
onen
entt of
en o iindependent
ndep
nd e enende
dent
de nt lliving,
iv
vin
ingg, and
nd llike
ikee ot
ik othe
others
hers
he rs iin
n
society,
so
oci
ciet
e y, Pw
et PwDs
wDs rely y on tr
transportation
ran
nsppor
orta
taati
tion
on fac
facilities
accil
ilit
itie
ities to m
ie moveovee fr
ov from
om oone ne pla
place
ace too
another.
an r. The termm transp
transportation
por
orta
tati
ta tion
tionn ccovers
ov
ver
erss sseveral
evvera
ve al ar
area
areas
eas in
ea inc
including
clud
clud
udin
ingg aair
in ir ttravel,
raavel,
buses,
bu
use
s s, taxis, and tr
trains.
rains.

III) ICT Eco-System

a) Target 5.1: Conducting accessibility audit of 50% of all government

(both Central and State Governments) websites and converting them
into fully accessible websites.
b) Target 5.2: Ensuring that at least 50% of all public documents issued by
the Central Government and the State Governments meet accessibility
standards.

Access to information creates opportunities for everyone in society. People

use information in many forms to make decisions about their daily lives.
This can range from actions such as being able to read price tags, to
physically entering a hall, participating in an event, reading a pamphlet with
healthcare information, understanding a train timetable, or viewing
webpages. No longer should societal barriers of infrastructure, and
336 inaccessible formats stand in the way of obtaining and utilizing information
in daily life. The targets set relate to websites, audio-visual media, and sign Services and Schemes
for Disability
language interpreters.

The RPwD Act, 2016 mandates that the onus of making a building or
service accessible lies on the owner of the building or service (under Section
45). Accessibility, however, will have to be provided as per the Notified
Rules of Accessibility Standards/Guidelines which will be formulated by the
concerned Central Government. Currently, there are three Accessibility
Standards/Guidelines already notified under the RPwD Rules, 2017. These
are as follows:
o Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier Free
Environments for Persons with Disabilities for Buildings.
o Accessibility-standards-for-persons-with-disabilities-in Bus Body Code
for Buses.
o Guidelines for Indian Government Websites for Government websites
only.

The Department has come out with an easy rec reckoner

e kone
ec n r which is a summary
ne y of
tthee 10 key ffeatures
th eatu
eature
res of aaccessibility
c es
cc e sibility to be pprovided
rovi
v dedd inn bui
buildings,
uilldings
ui ld g , whwhich
hichh ha
have
avee
bbeen
een derderived
eriv
er ived ffrom
ro
rom
om th the
he Ha
H
Harmonized
rmon
onized G
on Guidelines.
uideeline
nes. D
DEPwD,
EPPwD, bbeing
ein
ng th
the
he Nod
Nodal
dal
Ministry
M iniist
stry ffor
or D Disability
isabillity Af
is Affa
Affairs
fairs look
fa looks
ks in
into
nto the ov overall
verrall supe
supervision
ervisionn aandnd
monitoring
mon
mo nitoriring
ring of ththe
he AAccessible
ccessible IIndia
n iaa Ca
nd Campaign.
ampaaign.n It ttakes
akees mmeasures
easur
u es
e too pr
provide
rovvide
practical
pra
pr acticcal susupport
uppport an and
nd caccapacity
p city
pa y bui
building
u ld
ui ding in n thee ssector
ecto
to
or off aaccessibility.
cceessiibi
bili
lity.
Furthermore,
Furthe
Fu hermore, e DE
e, DEPwD
EPwD D also o exte
extend
end ffinancial
inan
ncial
a supportt ffor or con
conversion
nve
v rsion of
selected
select
se ted State/U
State/UT
/UUT G Government
oveernmement Bui
Buildings
ilddings
gs aand
nd W Websites
ebsi
eb site
si tes in
te into
to aaccessible
ccces
essi
sibl
si blee
bl
iinfrastructure
infrasstr
t uctuure and
nd service
services.
es.

Check
Che
Ch eck Your
Y ur Progress 4
Yo
Highlight
1) Hi
H ghlightt th
gh salient
thee sa
sali features
liient feat
a ur
at Accessible
u es off A ccessib
ble India Campaign.
ia C ampa
ampaig
paignn.
ig
…………
……………
……
……………
………………
…………
………
…………
……
………
… ……
…………………………………………………………………………
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2) List the three Accessibility Standards/Guidelines notified under the

RPwD Rules, 2017.
…………………………………………………………………………
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15.4 SUMMARY
To sum up, let us take a quick recap. A truly inclusive society is one in
which everyone can lead an independent, self-reliant, and dignified life and
contribute to the nation’s overall development. However, inaccessible
physical environments, lack of mobility and transportation, unavailability of
assistive devices and technologies, and inaccessible websites and services
hinder equal participation of persons with disabilities (divyangjan) in
mainstream socio-economic and cultural activities. As per the Census 2011, 337
Professional Ethics, there are 2.68 crore persons with disabilities in India. Thus, a need was felt
Policies and Acts for the creation of different services and schemes for diverse disabilities
across the country. Hence, The Government of India established various
centres and national institutes to provide various services in all aspects for
people with diverse disabilities and train rehabilitation professionals to help
the people with disabilities.

15.5 KEYWORDS
District Disability Rehabilitation Centre Facilitate comprehensive
services to Persons with Disabilities in rural areas.
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center Programmes conducted
coordinated, integrated, for research, training, and information
dissemination

15.6 REVIEW QUESTIONS

1) What is the ro
role
ole off cent
central
n ral and State Governments to implement DDRC
200?
2)) Discus
Discuss
ss thee obobjectives
bje
j ctiivess an
and
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4) Explain
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ain
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115.7
5.77 REFERENCES
REFER
RENC
CES AND
AND SUGGESTED
SUGGESTED READING
READING
Baquer,
B
Ba querr, A
A.. and S
Sharma,
h rma, A
ha A.. (200
((2006).
200
006)
6). D
6) Disability:
issab
abiility:
y: C
Challenges
halllen
ha en
nge
gess Vs R
Response.
espo
ponse.
po
Neew De
New D
Delhi:
lhi: Conce
Concerned
erned Action Now and Global College Press, Arizona, US.
S G
S. Ganesh
hK Kumar, GGautam R Roy, and
d Si
Sitanshu
h SSekhar
kh K Kar (2012) Di
Disability
bili
and Rehabilitation Services in India: Issues and Challenges, J Family Med
Prim Care. 2012 Jan-Jun; 1(1): 69–73. doi: 10.4103/2249-4863.94458

15.8 WEB RESOURCES

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3893941/
https://www.india.gov.in/disability-division-ministry-social-justice-and-
empowerment
https://www.swavlambancard.gov.in/about-department-of-empowerment-of-
persons-with-disabilities
Accessible India Campaign- https://depwd.gov.in/accessible-india-
campaign/

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