Tamil Nadu Schemes

7/28/2019 Tamil Nadu Schemes

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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 self-

employment 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


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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. Tomonitor 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 - 9,64,063

ii) Hearing Handicapped - 1,97,115

iii) Orthopaedically Handicapped - 3,53,798

iv) Mentally Handicapped - 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) Free special education, free boarding and lodging

ii) 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 rateEnhanced ratew.e.f. 1.4.2007


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a) I std to V std Rs.250/- Rs.500/-

b) VI std to VIII std Rs.750/- Rs.1,500/-

c) IX to XII std Rs.1,100/- Rs.2,000/-

d) Under Graduate Courses Rs.1,500/- Rs.3,000/-

e) Professional Courses andPost-Graduate Courses

Rs.1,950/- 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 perannum

Sl.No

Standard

Old rateEnhancedrate w.e.f.1.10.2007

a) IX to XII std Rs.750/- Rs.1,500/-

b) Under GraduateCourses

Rs.1,250/- Rs.2,500/-

c) ProfessionalCourses andPost-GraduateCourses

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



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.


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A sum of Rs.5.54 lakhs has been provided in the Budget Estimate for the year 2008-

2009 for this scheme.

4.7 COMPUTERS WITH TALKING SOFTWARE TO THE GOVERNMENT HIGHERSECONDARY 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 THEVISUALLY 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.


2009 for this scheme

4.9 STARTING OF B.COM., AND B.C.A., COURSES FOR THE HEARING IMPAIREDSTUDENTS

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.



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.



4.11 PRE-SCHOOLS FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED


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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.



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.NoName of the

Institution

Nature of

Training given

No. ofTrainee

Teachers

1

GovernmentHigher SecondarySchool for theBlind,Poonamallee,Chennai.

Junior Diploma inteaching the Blind

25

2Balavihar TrainingSchool, Kilpauk,Chennai.

Junior / SeniorDiploma inTeaching theMentally

Challenged

20

3

Little FlowerHigher SecondarySchool for theHearing Impaired,Chennai.

Junior / SeniorDiploma inteaching theHearing Impaired

50



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.




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4.14 TRAINING FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS THROUGH DISTRICTDISABLED 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.



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.



4.15(a) FITTER TRAINING FOR HEARING IMPAIRED PERSONS

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

the training period.


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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.



4.17 GOVERNMENT REHABILITATION HOME FOR THE BLIND WOMEN WITH

SHELTERED WORKSHOP, POONAMALLEE

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


4.18 SHELTERED HOME FOR MENTALLY CHALLENGED GIRLS AGED ABOVE 14YEARS

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.



4.19 GRANT-IN-AID ASSISTANCE TO RUN SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR THE CHILDREN WITHMENTAL 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.


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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 NGOs to benefit 50 Mentally Retarded

Persons in each Home in the Districts of Thiruvallur, Madurai, Dindugal, Coimbatore,

Thiruchirapalli, Tirunelveli and Kanchipuram. Besides providing sheltered Homes, Vocational

Training Programmes also are imparted to these beneficiaries.



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 Non-

Governmental Organisations are paid an additional honorarium of Rs. 3000/- per month each by

the Government.



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.



4.23 THREE DAY CARE CENTRES FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN INTHENI DISTRICT ESTABLISHED THROUGH NON-GOVERNMENTALORGANISATIONS

Three Day Care Centres for the mentally Retarded are functioning in Theni District,

benefitting 90 children. Non-Governmental Organizations manage these centres with the grants-

in-aid assistance provided by the Government of Tamil Nadu.



4.24 UNEMPLOYMENT ALLOWANCE TO THE UNEMPLOYED VISUALLY HANDICAPPED


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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:-

Educational QualificationUnemployment Allowance

per month

i) Graduates/Post Graduates

ii) H.S.C./Under Graduates

iii) 10th Std and below

Rs.450/-

Rs.375/-

Rs.300/-

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

a) Age: 18 to 40 years (45years in the case of SC/ST).

b) Should have been in the live Registers of Employment Exchange for a minimum period ofone year.



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 self-

employment ventures of the disabled through the Schemes sponsored by the National

Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation, Government of India.



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:-


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S.No. Name of the Award Nature of Award

1 Best Employer Award 10 Grams of GoldMedal, and Certificate

2 Best Institution Award (forBest Institution serving

Disabled persons)

10 Grams of GoldMedal Cash Prize of

Rs.50,000/-, andCertificate

3 Best Institution Award (forBest Institution servingwomen)

10 Grams of GoldMedal, Cash Prize ofRs.50,000/- andCertificate

4 Best Social WorkerAward (for outstandingwork done for disabled)

10 Grams of GoldMedal and Certificate

5 Best Social WorkerAward (for outstandingwork done for women)


6 Best Doctor Award 10 Grams of GoldMedal and Certificate

7 Best Collector Award 10 Grams of GoldMedal, Certificate andcash prize ofRs.25,000/-

8 Best District DisabledRehabilitation OfficerAward


Details of State Awards given on the occasion of International Day of the Disabled (On 3 rd

December of every year) are as follows:-

S.No. Name of the Award Nature of Award

1 Best Employer Award 10 Grams of Gold Medal and Certificate

2 Best Employee Award 10 Grams of Gold Medal and Certificate

3 Best Teacher Award 10 Grams of Gold Medal and Certificate

4 Best Institution Award 10 Grams of Gold Medal and Certificate

5 Lakshmikantham Ammal Award (Best

2 Visually Handicapped Students ofHigher Secondary School)

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


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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 10 th and 12th Public Examinations, are awarded with cash prize,

besides financial assistance from the Government for pursuing higher studies.



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 allover 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.



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 year2008-2009 for this scheme.


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4.31 FREE SURGICAL CORRECTION FOR POLIO AND SPINAL CORD AFFECTEDPERSONS

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.



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.




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4.33 SANCTION OF FUND FOR ADDITIONAL PURCHASE OF 6000 TRICYCLES TO CLEARTHE 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 GOGGLESAND FOLDING STICKS FOR THE BENEFIT OF VISUALLY HANDICAPPED IN THESTATE

As per the announcement made by the Minister (Finance) in the Budget Speech 2007-

2008, 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.



4.36 SUPPLY OF FREE MOTORISED TRICYCLES (INVALID CARRIAGE) TO THESEVERELY DISABLED STUDENTS AND PROVIDING SUBSIDY FOR PURCHASE OFMOTORISED 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. 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

purchase of Motorised Tricycles.



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.


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SlNo

Name of the Scheme Nature of AssistanceNumber of

Beneficiaries

1. Concession to personmarrying VisuallyHandicapped person.

1. Cash assistancefor marriageexpenses

Rs.10,000/-2. National Saving

Certificate forRs.10,000/-

100

2. Concession to personmarrying person withoutone arm / one leg


Rs.10,000/-

2. National SavingCertificate for Rs.10,000/-

145

3. Concession to personmarrying speech andHearing Impaired person.


Rs.10,000/-

2. National SavingCertificate for

Rs.10,000/-

145



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.500as in the case of Severely

Handicapped persons and Mentally Retarded persons from the current financial year.



4.39 MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE TO MENTALLYRETARDED PERSONS


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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.



4.40 ESTABLISHMENT OF 10 EARLY INTERVENTION CENTRES FOR HEARINGIMPAIRED

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.



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


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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.



4.43 FREE TRAVEL CONCESSION TO THE DISABLED PERSONS IN STATE OWNEDTRANSPORT 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 anyplace in the State in all types of buses. The number of additional trips (to and fro) permitted is four.



4.44 ISSUE OF NATIONAL IDENTITY CARDS, PASS BOOKS AND DISABILITYCERTIFICATES

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.


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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.



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 NationalTrust, 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


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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.



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


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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 Government Rehabilitation Home Date of Establishment

1 Paranur, Kancheepuram District 2.10.1971

2 Ulundurpet, Villupuram District 22.1.1972

3 Bargur, Krishnagiri District 18.6.1972

4 Pudukottai, Pudukottai District 7.1.1973

5 Manaiyeripatti, Thanjavur District 17.2.1973

6 Y. Pudupatti, Madurai District 22.4.1973

7 Mallavadi,Thiruvannamalai District 4.7.1973

8 Selliampatti, Dharmapuri District 19.10.1973

9 Deviyakurichi, Salem District 23.10.1973

10 Vinnapalli, Erode District 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


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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.

ItemExpenditure allotted per

annum

1. Supply of Special type of shoes and artificial limbs (forNeedy inmates) Rs.1,000/-

2. Purchase of Spectacles Rs.2,000/-

3. Tooth Brush and Tooth Powder Rs.2,500/-

4. Sports Materials Rs.1,200/-

5. Musical Instruments Rs. 400/-

Further, a sum of Rs.500/- is given to perform funeral rites.



4.54 GOVERNMENT CARE CAMP, MELPAKKAM

The Tamil Nadu Prevention of Beggary Act was enacted in the year 1945. The

Government Care Camp at Melpakkam was started on 1-3-1954 with a sanctioned strength of 950

members (Males 770 + Females 180). 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.




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DETAILED LIST OF NEW SCHEMES FOR THE YEAR 2008-2009

REHABILITATION OF THE DISABLED

Sl.No.

Scheme Amount

1. Provision of Computers and Accessories, Printers,Fax Mechines to the offices of the District DisabledRehabilitation Centres.

47.40

2. Maintenance grants to the Persons with MuscularDystrophy.

63.10

Total 110.50

Documents

Tamil Nadu Schemes