IASSI Quarterly
Year : 2005, Volume : 23, Issue : 4
First page : ( 67) Last page : ( 80)
Print ISSN : 0970-9061.

Institutional arrangement for upliftment of persons with disabilities: A study in north India

Prof. Sikligar P.C., Assistant Professor

Centre for Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation, National Institute of Rural Development, Hyderabad-500 030 (India)

Abstract

India has around 50 million persons with some type of disability. The Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 not only recommends assistance, both financial and physical, but also provides protection to their rights, and grants them equal opportunities for promoting their participation in development. This Act facilitates through an institutional arrangement district level units under with each institution plays a significant role in resolving their problems and making them self-sufficient. The Government of India provides the benefit of scholarships, books, notebooks, uniforms, hostel facility, free pass in public transport, pension, etc as welfare measures along with providing reservation in education and in employment to uplift their lives. Various rural development programmes consider their participation in development but it is felt that this is not enough. Providing assistance once in the form of the physical assets will not serve the purpose of the Act. Persons with disabilities need to be kept in touch with by the developmental agencies for monitoring all relevant programmes in time. For this task, it is better to involve some of the dedicated non-governmental organizations by creating an awareness about their rights and guidance over better opportunities for employment. If the tasks could be given according to their choice and efficiency then the disabled will prove their abilities.

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