CHAPTER 4 REHABILITATION OF THE DISABLED 4.

1 The Government of Tamil Nadu aims at creating a society where the disabled persons can

cut across barriers and enter into the mainstream of life. It is the goal of this Government to prevent disabilities and provide rehabilitation services to the Persons with Disabilities in time, so that the disabled persons lead a normal life. This Government is taking action for early detection of disabilities and provision of services in socio-economic, health, vocational spheres in order to overcome their disability and become an integral part of the society. The Government, NGOs, Entrepreneurs, Philanthropists and the Community as a whole have the responsibility to work towards the Welfare of the Disabled. This Department is discharging following functions for Rehabilitation of the Disabled: To create awareness on prevention of disability, Early Identification of disability and Early Intervention through Publicity Programmes and Early Intervention Programmes. To ensure that every disabled child is given free and compulsory primary education, either through special education or integrated (inclusive) education, based on the level of disability of the individual and also to promote the integration of the handicapped students with normal students at every stage depending upon the capacity / level / need of each handicapped child. To develop the required skilled manpower by establishing Teacher Training Centres and Educational Institutions to cater to the requirements of the disabled. To promote special supportive facilities like scholarship, free transport, supply of teaching aids, special aids and assistive devices, appointment of Resource Teachers, Hostel facility, etc., and to help the disabled to pursue appropriate higher education. To identify trades suited to each category of the disabled, particularly in specific industries and to establish and run training centres for the disabled in such trades. To arrange financial assistance for the handicapped trainees towards purchase of tools, kits, etc. required by them. To facilitate banks and other financial institutions to assist handicapped liberally for selfemployment ventures. To introduce a barrier free environment. To take suitable measures to enable the disabled persons to participate in social cultural and sports events, as in the case of normal persons. To take suitable measures to provide equal opportunities, ensure full participation and protect the rights of the disabled persons. 4.2 IMPLEMENTATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, 1995

Tamil Nadu leads other States in implementing the various provisions of Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995. The Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995, enacted to give equal opportunities to the disabled, to protect their rights in order to integrate them with the normal society and to enable them to have full participation in the normal life is a boon for the Disabled persons. To monitor the implementation of this Act in Tamil Nadu, a State Commissioner for the Disabled has been appointed, besides his role as Head of the Department for Rehabilitation of the Disabled. 4.3 POPULATION OF THE DISABLED IN THE STATE As per Census of India-2001 Report, the total population of the disabled in Tamil Nadu State is 16,42,497. The breakup details are as follows:i) Visually Handicapped ii) Hearing Handicapped iii) Orthopaedically Handicapped iv) Mentally Handicapped 9,64,063 1,97,115 3,53,798 1,27,521

In order to have a separate database exclusively on Disabled Population in the State, the State Government has decided to launch a State-wide survey to gather details relating to disabled population. The State Government has sanctioned Rs.5 lakhs for this purpose. The survey is expected to complete in near future. 4.4 SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR THE DISABLED All disabled children cannot pursue mainstream Education. Therefore, Special Education is provided to the disabled through the Special Schools. There are Twenty Three Government Special Schools Ten for the Blind, Eleven for the Deaf, One for the Severely Locomotor Disabled and One for the Mentally Challenged. Disabled Children in the Special Schools are provided with the following facilities:i) ii) Free special education, free boarding and lodging Two sets of uniform free of cost every year. Further, learning materials, play materials, vessels and furniture have been supplied to all the Government Special Schools. 4.5 (a) SCHOLARSHIP TO THE DISABLED The State Government is providing scholarship to disabled students undergoing education up to post-graduate level towards purchase of study materials etc. From 2007-2008, the quantum of scholarship given has been enhanced as detailed below:Sl. No. Standard Scholarship per annum Old rate Enhanced rate w.e.f. 1.4.2007

a) b) c) d) e)

I std to V std VI std to VIII std IX to XII std Under Graduate Courses Professional Courses and Post-Graduate Courses

Rs.250/Rs.750/Rs.1,100/Rs.1,500/Rs.1,950/-

Rs.500/Rs.1,500/Rs.2,000/Rs.3,000/Rs.3,500/-

A sum of Rs.1257.00 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. b) READERS ALLOWANCE The State Government is providing Readers Allowances for the Visually Handicapped Students along with scholarship. The Government has enhanced the rate of Readers Allowance with effect from 1.10.2007 as detailed below: Readers Allowance per annum Standard Old rate IX to XII std Under Graduate Courses Professional Courses and Post-Graduate Courses Rs.750/Rs.1,250/Rs.1,500/Enhanced rate w.e.f. 1.10.2007 Rs.1,500/Rs.2,500/Rs.3,000/-

Sl. No

a) b) c)

A sum of Rs.277.44 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.6 SCRIBE ASSISTANCE TO VISUALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS The Visually Handicapped Students studying IX std to XII std in Special Schools for the Blind .are permitted to engage a scribe for their school examinations and a sum of Rs.50/- per paper is paid to each scribe. 400 Visually Handicapped students studying in the following schools get this benefit every year. a) Government Higher Secondary School for the Blind, Poonamallee, Chennai. b) Government Girls Higher Secondary School for the Blind, Thiruchirapalli. c) Government High School for the Blind, Thanjavur. d) Little Flower Higher Secondary School for the Blind, Chennai. e) St. Louis Institute for the Deaf and Blind, Chennai. f) Indian Association for the Blind Higher Secondary School, Madurai.

A sum of Rs.5.54 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 20082009 for this scheme. 4.7 COMPUTERS WITH TALKING SOFTWARE TO THE GOVERNMENT HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR THE BLIND In order to enable the Visually Handicapped Students to access the Computers, 10 Computers with Talking Software have been provided to the Government Higher Secondary School for the Blind at Poonamallee and Thiruchirapalli. 5 Computers have been supplied to each School costing about Rs.5.00 Lakhs. All the Visually Impaired Teachers have been given training in usage of the Computers in collaboration with ELCOT. 4.8 PROVIDING TAPE RECORDERS WITH PRE-RECORDED CASSETTES TO THE VISUALLY HANDICAPPED STUDENTS The Blind Students find it difficult to get Readers to read the lessons for them whenever they are in need of. To overcome this problem, Tape-recorders with Pre-Recorded audio cassettes are provided to Visually Handicapped Students, who are studying X and XII standard in the Government Higher Secondary Special School for the Blind at Poonamallee and the Government Girls Higher Secondary School for the Blind, Thiruchirapalli and Government High School for the Blind at Thanjavur. 112 students received tape-recorders with Pre-Recorded cassettes during the year 2007-2008. A sum of Rs.2.00 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 20082009 for this scheme 4.9 STARTING OF B.COM., AND B.C.A., COURSES FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED STUDENTS B.Com., and B.C.A., Courses have been started exclusively for the Hearing Impaired Students in the Presidency College at Chennai. This enables the Deaf students to pursue higher education and improve their standard of living. During the year 2007-2008, 15 students have been admitted in each course. A sum of Rs.5.52 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 20082009 for this scheme. 4.10 ASSISTANCE TO PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED LAW GRADUATES Twenty Physically Handicapped Law graduates are given financial assistance of Rs.3000/each to register at Bar Council as Lawyers and for purchase of Law books. A sum of Rs.0.60 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 20082009 for this scheme. 4.11 PRE-SCHOOLS FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED

Twenty Pre-School Sections for the Speech and Hearing Impaired Children are functioning in the Government Special Schools for Deaf and in the Government-Aided Schools for the Deaf. A sum of Rs.30.00 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.12 TRAINING FOR THE TEACHERS OF THE SPECIAL SCHOOLS Teachers of the Special Schools require special training because they handle different categories of students, who are suffering from various disabilities and therefore, training programmes are conducted for them. The duration of the programme is ten months. The details of the Training Programmes are given below: S.No Name of the Institution Nature of Training given No. of Trainee Teachers

Government Higher Secondary School for the Junior Diploma in Blind, teaching the Blind Poonamallee, Chennai. Junior / Senior Diploma in Balavihar Training Teaching the School, Kilpauk, Mentally Chennai. Challenged Little Flower Junior / Senior Higher Secondary Diploma in School for the teaching the Hearing Impaired, Hearing Impaired Chennai.

25

20

50

A sum of Rs.5.31 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 20082009 for this scheme. 4.13 SECONDARY GRADE TEACHERS TRAINING (DIPLOMA IN TEACHER EDUCATION) TO VISUALLY HANDICAPPED AND ORTHO-PAEDICALLY HANDICAPPED It is the aim of this Government to conduct suitable training programmes to generate employment opportunities for the disabled persons. Secondary Grade Teachers Training (Diploma in Teacher Education DTE) Programme is conducted at the Government Higher Secondary School for the Blind at Poonamallee. Every year 25 Orthopaedically Handicapped persons and 25 Visually Handicapped persons undergo this two year Course. This ensures more employment opportunities to the Orthopaedically Handicapped and Visually Handicapped persons. A sum of Rs.8.30 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 20082009 for this scheme.

4.14

TRAINING FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS THROUGH DISTRICT DISABLED REHABILITATION CENTRES The Department for Rehabilitation of the Disabled is conducting the following Training

Programmes for Disabled persons through the District Disabled Rehabilitation Centres at free of cost. 1. Diploma Course in Laboratory Technology (DMLT) - two year Duration. (Chennai, Salem, Tirunelveli, Trichy, Thanjavur and Madurai) 2. Computer Training Course - Six Months Duration (in all the Districts ) The above mentioned training programmes are given to Orthopaedically Handicapped, Visually Handicapped and Hearing Handicapped persons absolutely free of cost, which includes a Stipend of Rs.300/- per month per Trainee, Tuition fees and Training cost which are borne by the Government. A sum of Rs.26.34 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.15 TRAINING FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS The Department for Rehabilitation of the Disabled is conducting exclusive Training Programmes for the Visually Handicapped persons at the Government Industrial Training Centre for the Blind, functioning at the campus of the Government Higher Secondary School for Blind, Poonamallee. The following training programmes are offered to them. 1. Fitter-cum-Basic Machine Operator (One year duration) 2. Book-Binder (One year Duration) and 3. Cutting and Tailoring Training (Women only) (One year Duration) The above said Training programmes are conducted for 24 Visually Handicapped persons free of cost, which includes Tuition fees, Training cost, as well as free Boarding and Lodging along with two sets of uniforms. A sum of Rs.25.03 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.15(a) FITTER TRAINING FOR HEARING IMPAIRED PERSONS

Government I.T.I., at Guindy conducts a Special Training for the 19 Hearing Impaired persons in the Trade of Fitter and Rs.300/- per month is given as stipend to the trainees during the training period.

A sum of Rs.2.94 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 20082009 for this scheme. 4.16 GOVERNMENT REGIONAL BRAILLE PRESS Braille Books for Visually Handicapped students are printed and supplied through the Regional Braille Press functioning in the campus of the Government Higher Secondary School for the Blind, Poonamallee. It has been modernised by installing two units of computerised mini Braille Printer. A sum of Rs.23.21 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.17 GOVERNMENT REHABILITATION HOME SHELTERED WORKSHOP, POONAMALLEE FOR THE BLIND WOMEN WITH

The State Government is organising a training programme for the visually handicapped women to generate income. Visually handicapped Women in the age group of 18-40 years (45 years in the case of SC/ST) are given training in Chalk-piece making and Weaving in the Government Rehabilitation Home with Sheltered Workshop for the Blind women. On completion of this training, they are given job in the Home itself in weaving bed sheets, towels, bandage cloth and chalk-piece making. These products are sold to Government hospitals and schools. At present 18 blind women are staying as inmates in the Home. A sum of Rs.10.35 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.18 SHELTERED HOME FOR YEARS MENTALLY CHALLENGED GIRLS AGED ABOVE 14

To protect the mentally challenged girls, aged above 14 years, the Government offers grant-in-aid to Non-Governmental Organisations for running sheltered Homes. Under this Scheme, five Homes at Madurai, Salem, Tuticorin, Sivagangai and Vellore are sanctioned with a grant of Rs.2.50 lakhs per Home for rehabilitating 30 girls in each Home every year. A sum of Rs.12.50 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.19 GRANT-IN-AID ASSISTANCE TO RUN SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR THE CHILDREN WITH MENTAL RETARDATION In Theni District, one Special School started by Non-Governmental Organisation to benefit 25 mentally retarded children is functioning with the assistance of Government and providing Special Education to 50 Mentally Retarded Children.

A sum of Rs.6.50 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 20082009 for this scheme. 4.20 HOMES FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED In order to provide care and protection to Mentally Retarded Persons above the age of 14 years, seven Homes have been established through Persons in each Home in NGOs to benefit 50 Mentally Retarded the Districts of Thiruvallur, Madurai, Dindugal, Coimbatore,

Thiruchirapalli, Tirunelveli and Kanchipuram. Besides providing sheltered Homes, Vocational Training Programmes also are imparted to these beneficiaries. A sum of Rs.193.19 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.21 SALARIES TO TEACHERS As a measure to encourage Special Educators to continue to work for the Mentally Retarded Persons, Special Educators and Physiotherapists in the Schools managed by NonGovernmental Organisations are paid an additional honorarium of Rs. 3000/- per month each by the Government. A sum of Rs.200.00 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.22 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO 60 NGOs Special Schools run by Non-Governmental Organisations that provide residential facilities to the persons with mental retardation are given financial assistance for construction of buildings or payment of rent as the case may be and for feeding. A sum of Rs.2.00 Crores has been sanctioned to benefit 60 Special Schools run by the Non-Governmental Organisations. A sum of Rs.170.00 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.23 THREE DAY CARE CENTRES FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN IN THENI DISTRICT ESTABLISHED THROUGH NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS Three Day Care Centres for the mentally Retarded are functioning in Theni District, benefitting 90 children. Non-Governmental Organizations manage these centres with the grantsin-aid assistance provided by the Government of Tamil Nadu. A sum of Rs.9.40 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.24 UNEMPLOYMENT ALLOWANCE TO THE UNEMPLOYED VISUALLY HANDICAPPED

Unemployed visually handicapped persons are paid unemployment allowance as indicated below for a period of 10 years or up to the age of 40 years (45 years in the case of SC/ST) or till they get employment, whichever is earlier:Unemployment Allowance per month Rs.450/Rs.375/Rs.300/-

Educational Qualification i) ii) Graduates/Post Graduates H.S.C./Under Graduates

iii) 10th Std and below ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA a) b) Age: 18 to 40 years (45years in the case of SC/ST).

Should have been in the live Registers of Employment Exchange for a minimum period of one year. A sum of Rs.42.00 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year

2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.25 SELF-EMPLOYMENT SCHEMES The Department is taking effective steps to assist the disabled persons to avail loan from the Nationalised Banks towards their self-employment ventures, including setting up of bunk stalls. Subsidy equal to 1/3 of loan amount or Rs.3,000/- whichever is less, is sanctioned by the Government. Bunk stall subsidy of Rs.5,000/- or 1/3 of the loan amount, whichever is less, is given to the disabled person, who desires to install Bunk Stall in public places. 1,050 disabled persons benefit under these Schemes. Women with disability are given training for self-employment and loan for small business, and the disabled persons in rural areas are given priority in handicrafts and to manage petty shops. Further, the State Government is taking effective steps to provide assistance for selfemployment ventures of the disabled through the Schemes sponsored by the National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation, Government of India. A sum of Rs.32.50 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.26 STATE AWARDS To appreciate and encourage the persons who are involved in the services for the disabled, the following State Awards are presented by the Government during Independence Day and International Day of the Disabled:Details of State Awards given on the occasion of Independence Day:-

S.No. 1 2

Name of the Award Best Employer Award Best Institution Award (for Best Institution serving Disabled persons) Best Institution Award (for Best Institution serving women) Best Social Worker Award (for outstanding work done for disabled) Best Social Worker Award (for outstanding work done for women) Best Doctor Award Best Collector Award

Nature of Award 10 Grams of Gold Medal, and Certificate 10 Grams of Gold Medal Cash Prize of Rs.50,000/-, and Certificate 10 Grams of Gold Medal, Cash Prize of Rs.50,000/and Certificate 10 Grams of Gold Medal and Certificate 10 Grams of Gold Medal and Certificate 10 Grams of Gold Medal and Certificate 10 Grams of Gold Medal, Certificate and cash prize of Rs.25,000/10 Grams of Gold Medal and Certificate

4 5 6 7

Best District Rehabilitation Award

Disabled Officer

Details of State Awards given on the occasion of International Day of the Disabled (On 3rd December of every year) are as follows:S.No. 1 2 3 4 5 Name of the Award Best Employer Award Best Employee Award Best Teacher Award Best Institution Award Lakshmikantham Ammal Award (Best 2 Visually Handicapped Students of Higher Secondary School) Nature of Award 10 Grams of Gold Medal and Certificate 10 Grams of Gold Medal and Certificate 10 Grams of Gold Medal and Certificate 10 Grams of Gold Medal and Certificate Certificate and Cash Prize of Rs.1,200/-

A sum of Rs.2.72 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.27 NATIONAL AWARDS National Awards are given by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India on the occasion of International Day of the Disabled, which is observed on 3rd December every year. The Awards are presented to Best Disabled Employee, Employer, Placement Officer, Institution, Individual, Creative Disabled, Creative Disabled Children, Best Role

Model, the Best Institute which creates Barrier free environment for the disabled and also for New Technological Innovations useful for the disabled persons. Every year 70 National Awards in 12 categories are given by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. During 2007-08, 10 National Awards were given to persons / Institutions in Tamil Nadu.

4.28

CASH AWARDS TO VISUALLY HANDICAPPED STUDENTS Visually Handicapped students, who have studied in Tamil Medium and secured first three

ranks at State / District level in 10th and 12th Public Examinations, are awarded with cash prize, besides financial assistance from the Government for pursuing higher studies. A sum of Rs.18.88 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.29 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE DISABLED International Day of the Disabled is observed on 3rd December every year by the State Government in accordance with the Declaration of the United Nations Organisation. The main aim of observing this day is to encourage the disabled persons to showcase their different skills and abilities in the field of Arts and Sports. In connection with the International Day of the Disabled, State Level Sports Meet is conducted. As many as 5000 disabled children participate from all over the State. Several sports events are conducted and prizes distributed to winners and certificates issued to all the participants. On 3rd December, cultural programmes are also conducted. On this day, State Awards are distributed to the Best Employer, Best Social Worker, Best Employee, Best Teacher and Best Institution, who render outstanding service for the welfare of the disabled. Aids and Appliances are also distributed on this occasion. A sum of Rs.5.00 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 20082009 for this scheme. 4.30 MODERN TRAINING CUM PRODUCTION WORKSHOP (MTCPW), GUINDY, CHENNAI. The Modern Training cum Production Workshop is located at C-22 Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai-32. This Unit functions under direct control of State Commissioner for the Disabled and it undertakes Designing and Manufacturing of Tricycles and Wheel Chairs. The Tricycles and Wheel chairs manufactured in this workshop are distributed to the identified and needy physically handicapped persons through the District Disabled Rehabilitation Officers. A sum of Rs.34.86 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme.

4.31

FREE SURGICAL CORRECTION FOR POLIO AND SPINAL CORD AFFECTED PERSONS Special medical camps are conducted by the Department for identification of spinal cord

injured and polio affected persons in need of surgical correction through District Rehabilitation Centres in all the Districts of Tamil Nadu. On Identification, the Physically handicapped persons requiring surgery are sent to District Head Quarters Hospitals for Surgical Correction so as to enable them to walk freely without support from anybody and to eke out their livelihood. The physically handicapped persons, who undergo surgical correction, are given Rs.500/to meet out expenses during their stay at Hospital and Rs.300/- is given as Honorarium to Doctors, Nurses and Non-medical employees, who perform the surgery. A sum of Rs.4.00 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 20082009 for this scheme. 4.32 FREE SUPPLY OF AIDS AND APPLIANCES TO THE DISABLED The Department of Rehabilitation for the Disabled is providing various kinds of Aids and Appliances to the identified and needy physically handicapped persons, according to their disability, usage of limbs, power and requirement of appliances through District Disabled Rehabilitation Offices at free of cost as follows:1) Tricycles 2) Wheel chairs 3) Goggles 4) Folding sticks 5) Braille Watches 6) Hearing Aids 7) Solar rechargeable batteries 8) Calipers 9) Crutches 10) Artificial limbs The above Aids and Appliances are given to physically handicapped persons to enable them to perform their day today activities on their own in the society as normal persons. With these supportive devices they can live without support from anybody. Further, Calipers and Artificial Limbs are designed, fabricated and fitted by Orthotic Technicians and Leather Workers for each and every patient at Orthotic Units of District Disabled Rehabilitation Centres functioning in the Districts. A sum of Rs.75.00 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme.

4.33

SANCTION OF FUND FOR ADDITIONAL PURCHASE OF 6000 TRICYCLES TO CLEAR THE BACKLOG OF THE BENEFICIARIES IN THE STATE As per the announcement made by Minister for Finance, in the Budget Speech 2007-2008,

the Government has sanctioned a sum of Rs.1.80 Crores for purchase and free supply of 6000 Tricycles for the benefit of disabled persons who are in the waiting list State. 4.34 SANCTION OF FUND FOR ADDITIONAL PURCHASE OF 4000 NOS. OF GOGGLES AND FOLDING STICKS FOR THE BENEFIT OF VISUALLY HANDICAPPED IN THE STATE As per the announcement made by the Minister (Finance) in the Budget Speech 20072008, a sum of Rs.7.20 lakhs has been additionally sanctioned for purchase and free supply of 4000 Goggles and Folding Sticks to visually handicapped beneficiaries in Tamil Nadu during 2007-2008. 4.35 SUPPLY OF FREE MODULAR ARTIFICIAL LIMBS TO DISABLED STUDENTS Low cost plastic type of Artificial Limbs are generally provided to the beneficiaries through District Disabled Rehabilitation Centres. From 2007-2008 the latest Modular Functional Artificial Limbs (Modular Transtibial Prosthesis) is provided to the amputee students in the State free of cost to enable them to go to their place of study and they can improve their mobility without any other support. A sum of Rs.25.09 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.36 SUPPLY OF FREE MOTORISED TRICYCLES (INVALID CARRIAGE) TO THE SEVERELY DISABLED STUDENTS AND PROVIDING SUBSIDY FOR PURCHASE OF MOTORISED TRICYCLES TO THE WORKING SEVERELY DISABLED PERSONS During 2007-2008, 60 Motorised Tricylces (Invalid Carriage) were provided to the severely disabled students free of cost. purchase of Motorised Tricycles. A sum of Rs.50.00 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.37 CONCESSIONS TO PERSONS MARRYING DISABLED PERSONS To encourage persons marrying disabled persons, the following concessions are given by the Government. The quantum of Marriage Assistance has been raised from Rs.10,000/- to Rs.20,000/- by this Government during 2006-07. There is no income ceiling for availing assistance under these schemes. A subsidy of 30% of the cost of the Motorised Tricycles (Invalid Carriage) or Rs.10,000/-, whichever is less was sanctioned to 290 Working Disabled Persons for

Sl No 1.

Name of the Scheme Concession to person marrying Visually Handicapped person.

Nature of Assistance 1. Cash assistance for marriage expenses Rs.10,000/2. National Saving Certificate for Rs.10,000/1. Cash assistance for marriage expenses Rs.10,000/2. National Saving Certificate for Rs.10,000/-

Number of Beneficiaries

100

2.

Concession to marrying person one arm / one leg

person without

145

3.

Concession to person marrying speech and Hearing Impaired person.

1. Cash assistance for marriage expenses Rs.10,000/2. National Saving Certificate for Rs.10,000/145

A sum of Rs.78.00 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.38 MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE TO SEVERELY HANDICAPPED The amount given as Maintenance Allowance to the severely handicapped has been raised from Rs.200/- to Rs.500/- per month with effect from 1.9.2006. Maintenance Allowance is sent to the residence of disabled persons through money order every month. The number of severely disabled persons availing maintenance allowance has been increased from 8,400 to 10,000 by this Government during 2006-07. 4.38 (a) As the plight of persons affected with Muscular Dystrophy is similar to that of the disabled persons, they will also be provided with monthly assistance of Rs.500 as in the case of Severely Handicapped persons and Mentally Retarded persons from the current financial year. A sum of Rs.630.30 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.39 MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE TO MENTALLY RETARDED PERSONS

Mentally Retarded Persons with Disability Percentage of 60% and above are given Maintenance Allowance of Rs.500/- per month without any age and income ceiling. Maintenance Allowance is sent to the residence of the Disabled Persons through Money order. A sum of Rs.1260.60 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.40 ESTABLISHMENT OF 10 EARLY INTERVENTION CENTRES FOR IMPAIRED HEARING

Early Intervention Centres for Infants and Young children with Hearing Impairment have been established in 10 Districts - Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirapalli, Tiruvarur, Salem, Kanniyakumari, Tiruvallur, Sivagangai and Tirunelveli. These Centres are managed by reputed NGOs. The main objective of these Centres is to identify infants and young children with hearing impairment and to provide early intervention services, with support and training to parents and families to facilitate the maximum development of the full potential of their children with hearing disabilities. Only children aged less than 2 years with hearing impairment without any additional disabilities are admitted in these Centres, so that by the time they become 5 years old, they can develop verbal language skills and get ready for admission into I standard of regular School and thereby get integrated. A sum of Rs.85.80 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.41 EARLY INTERVENTION CENTRES FOR MENTALLY RETARDED Early Intervention Centres for the Mentally Retarded have been established in every District to benefit 50 children each in the age group of 0-6 years. These Centres are managed by Non-Governmental Organisations. The main objective of this Scheme is to identify infants and young children with Mental Retardation and to provide Early Intervention Services with support and training to parents and families to optimise their potential in the developmental areas of movement, communication, self-development, socialisation and understanding. Under this Scheme, each centre in every District has been sanctioned with a grant of Rs.5.27 Lakhs. A sum of Rs.158.00 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.42 PROGRAMME FOR REHABILITATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PRPD) The Programme for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities( PRPD) Scheme is implemented in seven Districts, namely, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Tirunelveli, Sivagangai and Pudukkottai. The PRPD aims at providing rehabilitation services at

various levels starting from Grama Panchayat. The main objective of the Scheme is to provide Community Based Rehabilitation Services to disabled persons in these Districts. As a part of this Scheme, a State Resource cum Training Centre (SRTC) is functioning at Chennai and conducting Training Programme for Non-Governmental Organisations, Government servants and others on Rehabilitation of the Disabled. A sum of Rs.137.37 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.43 FREE TRAVEL CONCESSION TO THE DISABLED PERSONS IN STATE OWNED TRANSPORT CORPORATION BUSES The State Government is implementing the scheme of providing free travel concession to benefit various disabled persons to travel in State owned Transport Corporation Buses. The Visually Handicapped persons are permitted to travel free of cost in the Government Transport Corporation Buses up to 100 Kms from their residence without any condition. The concessions have been extended to other disabled persons with certain conditions in order to pursue their education, visit hospitals, training centres and undertake employment. The visually handicapped and orthopaedically handicapped persons are permitted to travel to their native place and back within the State once in a year in Express buses free of cost. Mentally challenged are permitted to travel with one escort, free of cost without any income limit. Physically handicapped persons are permitted to avail 75% concession to travel to any place in the State in all types of buses. The number of additional trips (to and fro) permitted is four. A sum of Rs.308.21 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.44 ISSUE OF NATIONAL CERTIFICATES IDENTITY CARDS, PASS BOOKS AND DISABILITY

The State Government is giving top priority for issue of National Identity Cards to all the eligible disabled persons in the State. As per the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995, Disability Certificates are issued by the District Medical Board for Persons with Disabilities formed at the District Medical College Hospital and District Head Quarters Hospitals on a specific day/days of the week. The District Medical Board for the Persons with Disabilities consists of 3 members, of whom one member is a Specialist in the field of ENT/ Ophthalmology/ Ortho/ Psychiatrist/ Pediatrician. No fee is collected from persons with disabilities for issuing these Certificates. Regular camps are conducted throughout the State at Block and Taluk levels for issuing Identity Cards. 50 Medical Boards for Persons with Disabilities are functioning in Tamil Nadu. Students with disabilities are given Identity Cards through special camps conducted at the School premises of Special Schools / Sarva Siksha Abiyan Schools/ IED Schools.

4.45

TAMIL NADU WELFARE BOARD FOR THE DISABLED PERSONS The Tamil Nadu Welfare Board for the Disabled Persons was formed by an Act enacted by

the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in 2007. The Welfare Board was constituted under the provisions of the Act with the Hon'ble Minister for Social Welfare as the Chairperson with 3 Official and 15 Non-Official Members. Various Welfare Schemes for the benefit of the disabled are implemented through the Welfare Board to provide Social Security and Welfare Measures for the Disabled. A sum of Rs.100.00 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.46 NATIONAL TRUST The National Trust Act for the welfare of persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities, was enacted in 1999 with the main objective to enable and empower persons with these disabilities to live as independently and as fully within as close to the community to which they belong. In order to fulfill these objectives, Local Level Committees (LLC) have been formed in the Districts with District Collector as the Chairman of the Local Level Committee. An amount of Rs.10,000/- per annum is allotted to each Local Level Committee to take up activities, which includes awareness generation, appointment of legal guardians, sensitisation of Non-Governmental Organisations highlighting the salient features of National Trust, etc. 4.47 AWARENESS CREATION CAMPS Awareness Creation Camps have been conducted in all the Districts to create awareness about prevention, detection, intervention and rehabilitation services provided by the Government. A sum of Rs.60 Lakhs was sanctioned in 2007-2008 for conducting awareness camps. 4.48 REGISTRATION OF PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION CENTRES Tamil Nadu Registration of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Centres for Mentally ill Persons Rules, 2002, has been notified to regulate the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Centres for the Mentally ill persons for the first time in India. All the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Centres should be registered as per these Rules.

4.49

REGISTRATION OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS WORKING FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE DISABLED PERSONS

It is mandatory for the NGOs providing various services to the disabled persons to get registered under the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995. Any Non-Governmental Organisation providing rehabilitation services to persons with disability in the State should register themselves in the office of the State Commissioner for the Disabled, who is the competent authority for the purpose of Registration under Section 52 of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. 4.50 DISTRICT DISABLED REHABILITATION CENTRES Tamil Nadu is the only State in the country having District Disabled Rehabilitation Centres in all the Districts. The District Disabled Rehabilitation Centres are functioning in the State with State funds in 30 Districts. These District Disabled Rehabilitation Centres identify the disabled persons and provide necessary rehabilitation assistance depending on the nature of disability. A sum of Rs.542.23 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.51 RESERVATION FOR THE DISABLED The State Government is determined to implement the Policy of Reservation for the disabled effectively. 3% vacancies/seats arising in all the State/Public Sector undertaking and Educational Institutions under all kinds of Managements (Government, Aided and Local Bodies) have been reserved for the disabled. Of these vacancies, 1% has been reserved for Visually Handicapped, 1% for Speech and Hearing Impaired and 1% for Locomotor Disabled. In the Education Department, with regard to teaching posts, 2% of vacancies have been reserved for the visually handicapped persons and 2% of vacancies in non-teaching posts have been reserved for hearing impaired persons. Orders were issued to follow the Roster pattern of the Government of India while filling up 3% vacancies in Government Departments / Undertakings with disabled persons. Orders were also issued by the Government to carry forward the vacancies earmarked for disabled persons which were not filled up due to non-availability of disabled persons in the recruitment year for a further period of 3 years. 4.52 BARRIER FREE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE DISABLED PERSONS The State Government is taking various steps to provide barrier free environment for the disabled persons. This is to ensure integration of disabled persons with the mainstream. As per the provisions envisaged under Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, the Development Control Rules (DCR) for Chennai Metropolitan Development Area have been amended for provision of ramps and other barrier free facilities in Public Buildings for the benefit of physically handicapped persons. The State Government has directed the Public Works Department, Highways Department, Transport Department and Municipal Administration Department to take necessary steps to provide barrier

free environment for disabled persons so as to ensure full participation of the disabled persons in all the activities of the society. 4.53 GOVERNMENT REHABILITATION HOMES Government Rehabilitation Homes are functioning in the following places with a view to extending medical assistance and rehabilitating persons suffering from leprosy:-

Sl No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Government Rehabilitation Home Paranur, Kancheepuram District Ulundurpet, Villupuram District Bargur, Krishnagiri District Pudukottai, Pudukottai District Manaiyeripatti, Thanjavur District Y. Pudupatti, Madurai District Mallavadi,Thiruvannamalai District Selliampatti, Dharmapuri District Deviyakurichi, Salem District Vinnapalli, Erode District

Date of Establishment 2.10.1971 22.1.1972 18.6.1972 7.1.1973 17.2.1973 22.4.1973 4.7.1973 19.10.1973 23.10.1973 10.1.1974

Each Government Rehabilitation Home has a sanctioned strength of 400 adults and 25 children. Admission is voluntary after medical confirmation of the disease. The Government Rehabilitation Home, Ulundurpet admits leprosy beggars who are convicted by the Judicial Magistrate. The patient is admitted along with his or her family members. Discharge from the Home is either on good health condition or on disciplinary grounds. Inmates are provided with free boarding, lodging, clothing, medical facilities, and recreation facilities, such as games, library, musical instruments and television. Able inmates are trained in mat weaving, cloth weaving, tailoring and shoe-making. They are paid wages for the goods produced by them. Each inmate is supplied diet at a cost of Rs.20/- per day for adults and Rs.15/- per day for children. On special occasions such as Pongal, Deepavali and Gandhi Jayanthi, special diet is supplied at an additional cost of Rs.5/- per inmate. Two sets of clothes are distributed to each inmates every year along with free dhoties and sarees during Pongal festival. Every year Micro Cellular rubber footwear and mats are supplied. Plates and tumblers are supplied once in five

years and blankets are supplied once in three years. Text books and Note Books are also given to the children of the inmates from Std I to Std XII. Inmates are given medical assistance by the Medical Officers. Required medicines are purchased through Tamil Nadu Medical Service Corporation. Funds are allotted to each Home to meet the financial expenditure on the following items :Sl. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Expenditure allotted per annum Rs.1,000/Rs.2,000/Rs.2,500/Rs.1,200/Rs. 400/-

Item Supply of Special type of shoes and artificial limbs (for Needy inmates) Purchase of Spectacles Tooth Brush and Tooth Powder Sports Materials Musical Instruments

Further, a sum of Rs.500/- is given to perform funeral rites. A sum of Rs.680.64 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme. 4.54 GOVERNMENT CARE CAMP, MELPAKKAM The Tamil Nadu Prevention of Beggary Act was enacted in the year members (Males 770 + Females 180). 1945. The

Government Care Camp at Melpakkam was started on 1-3-1954 with a sanctioned strength of 950 The Beggars convicted by the Judicial Magistrates are kept in the Home. They are provided with free boarding, lodging, clothing, medical facilities and also given training in various trades like weaving, carpentry, pottery and tailoring. Two towels, two shirts and two shorts to the male inmates and two sarees and two blouses to the female inmates are supplied once in a year. Apart from this, free dhoties and sarees are supplied on the Pongal Day. Inmates are provided with mats, bed sheets, plate, tumbler and coconut oil. On completion of the conviction period, they are sent back to their native place. A sum of Rs.1.29 Crores has been sanctioned in the financial year 2007-2008 to construct a new home to accommodate 100 families. A sum of Rs.749.50 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-2009 for this scheme.

DETAILED LIST OF NEW SCHEMES FOR THE YEAR 2008-2009 REHABILITATION OF THE DISABLED Sl. No. 1. 2.

Scheme Provision of Computers and Accessories, Printers, Fax Mechines to the offices of the District Disabled Rehabilitation Centres. Maintenance grants to the Persons with Muscular Dystrophy. Total

Amount 47.40 63.10 110.50