(THE GIST OF PIB) Initiatives for welfare of Disabled Persons

[DECEMBER-2021]

International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed on December 3.
As per the Census 2011, there are 2.68 crore persons with disabilities (Divyangjans) in the country. The Government of India has started various initiatives to empower India’s divyang population in many ways.

The Act fulfills the obligations to the United National Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), to which India is a signatory and subsequently ratified the same on 1st October, 2007.
Disability has been defined based on an evolving and dynamic concept.
The types of disabilities have been increased from existing 7 to 21 and the Central Government will have the power to add more types of disabilities.
All Government institutions of higher education and those getting aid from the Government are required to reserve at least 5% of seats for persons with benchmark disabilities.
4% reservation for persons with benchmark disabilities is to be provided in posts of all Government establishments with differential quotas for different forms of disabilities.
Incentives to employers in the private sector are to be given who provide 5% reservation for persons with benchmark disability. Special employment exchanges for the PWD are to be set up.
Broad based Central and State Advisory Boards on Disability are to be set up to serve as apex policy making bodies at the Central and State level.
The Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities and the State Commissioners will act as regulatory bodies and Grievance Redressal agencies and also monitor implementation of the Act.