The Department of Science and Technology (DST) invites proposals Technology Intervention for Elderly – TIE

Government of India ,Department of Science and Technology Call S&T based Proposals for managing issues related to elderly population (Technology Intervention for Elderly – TIE).


The Department of Science and Technology (DST) invites proposals on focused initiatives for S&T interventions to benefit of elderly population in the country. The Proposals should focus on R&D for technological solutions with multidisciplinary approach to ameliorate problems and improve quality of life of the elderly population in both rural and urban areas.

Some challenges identified for providing S&T solutions are:
1. Development of assistive devices required by the elderly population in the urban/semi-urban/rural areas characterized by:
• Cost effective and affordable by elderly of different segments in society
• Inclusive designs
• Potential for commercialization.

2. Field testing of newly developed technology for acceptance evaluation and further adaptation.

3. Modulation of already existing technology specific for use of elderly to suit Indian conditions.

4. Development of technology package for healthcare of elderly to include preventive care in the area of:
• Area specific nutritional package
• Cost effective visual/hearing aids
• Cost effective dentures/dental implants, etc
• Documentation and validation of traditional health practices for elderly in codified Indian health system
• Cognitive support for elderly (Alzheimer/Parkinson/Dementia, etc.).

5. Safe Kitchens for elderly.

Some indicative technology areas are given below:
• Assistive devices for improving functionality, cognitive and assisted safety measures, excretion defects and related issues.
• Assistive device for various form of monitoring devices/non-invasive measuring devices/systems (injury preventions, blood parameters for non-communicable diseases, standing and balance training).
• Assistive devices for frequently occurring muscular-skeletal problems such as osteoarthritis of knee, ankle joints and the osteoporosis.
• Special devices/footwear for diabetic foot and care, biosensors for clinical diagnosis, automated pill box and methods for learning and analyzing computer signals of medical changes.
• Devices/programmes for fitness of elderly.
• Simple controlled devices for operating household devices.


In addition to the above themes, other novel/innovative idea/concept related to enablement and comforts of Elderly people in the country are welcome.

Eligibility criteria: Projects can be undertaken by academic/R&D institutions, NGOs. Collaborative projects between Institutions, Industry and NGOs working in the area of the elderly are encouraged. Proposals covering Areas of social sciences are not under the purview of this programme.

Project proposals (10 hard copies and 1 soft copy) can be submitted in the prescribed format available on the Website: www.scienceandsociety-dst.org to the address mentioned below.

HEAD
Science for Equity, Empowerment and Development Division (SEED)
Department of Science and Technology, Technology Bhavan,
New Mehrauli Road,
New Delhi 110 016
Tel: 011-2659 0339, e-mail: headseedglp@gmail.com)

The envelope should be subscribed as ‘Proposal Under Tie-Programme’. The proposals can be submitted throughout the year. Proposals received up to 31 July 2010 can be considered for evaluation in the next PAMC meeting.


For further information contact:
In-charge TIE-Programme, Science for Equity, Empowerment and Development
Division (SEED), Department of Science and Technology,
Technology Bhavan,
New Mehrauli Road,
New Delhi
110 016 (usha.dixit@nic.in , phone: 011-2659 0322).


Source: The Times of India, Mumbai Edition dt.29th May 2010 pg.24





Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

Closing the Digital Divide for Those with Disabilities

"Mobile Ability: The Transformational Impact of Wireless Innovation for People with Disabilities - A Report"

In each of our modern lives, broadband holds a pivotal key to enhancing economic opportunities, expanding access to education, improving our health and participating in civil society. Nowhere is this potential more powerfully on display than at the intersection of broadband and mobility. And, arguably no community has put this nearly limitless potential to more transformational use in their daily lives than the 1 in 5 Americans who, today, are living with disabilities.

From leading wireless carriers to devoted garage innovators, the mobile innovation community is embracing the true spirit of mobile broadband’s much-touted promise to bring opportunity and quality of life enhancements to all Americans. From people with disabilities who are finding innovative uses for connected smartphones and mainstream mobile applications to technologists who are thinking and creating for the unique needs of specific communities, profound innovation is underway today.

This report is intended as a celebration of this innovation—and an exploration of the common elements, values and commitments that can ensure it is continually nurtured. Twenty years ago, our nation made an extraordinary commitment to accessibility and opportunity in passing the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Wireless grew up in this era. And, today, it is ushering in a second wave of quality of life advances and inclusiveness for 54 million Americans with disabilities.

From voice-activated GPS technology that can guide a blind person down the street , to access to closed captioned video on the go, to the fact that kids with disabilities now can go to school with smartphones in their pockets rather than large, cumbersome assistive devices, these innovations reflect awe-inspiring progress. Equally encouraging is the certain fact that we have barely scratched the surface of what mobile innovation can do to expand the horizons and grow the range of opportunities available to this community.

On behalf of the Mobile Future community, we thank the organizations and technologists who contributed their insights to the development of this report. It is our hope that this paper reflects just one small contribution to a growing conversation and further exploration around unlocking opportunities in the digital/mobile age.

With the release of its National Broadband Plan and subsequent report on broadband for people with disabilities, the Federal Communications Commission is signaling its own commitment to encouraging these life-changing innovations. At this important juncture, we offer this paper to help inform both great products and meaningful policy.


Jonathan Spalter
Chairman
Mobile Future


Read Full Report: http://mobfut.3cdn.net/07bf12aba705fafb8f_fym6bat6i.pdf

Source: http://www.mobilefuture.org/content/pages/mobile_ability

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

Worlds Schizophrenia Awareness Day , Pune ,India

Our Association has been observing the World Schizophrenia Awareness Day every year on 24th May to focus on social awareness about the illness and as a part of educating people in this regard so that the stigma and the feeling of shame attached to it get eradicated.

This year also the Association would observe the World Schizophrenia Awareness Day on Monday the 24th May 2010 by organizing Public Meeting at Nivara Vrudhashram off L.B. Shastri Road, Navi Peth,Pune at 6.00 p.m.

Honorable Justice Ajit Prakash Shah former Chief Justice of Madras and Delhi High Courts has kindly consented to deliver the keynote address at the public meeting .The meeting will be presided over by Dr. Mohan Agashe.

We request you to attend the Public Meeting as per programme.

Thanking you

Yours Sincerely
Schizophrenia Awareness Association, Pune , India

Y.N. Oak
saa.help@gmail.com


RSVP_
Ms. Pooja Chauhan: 020- 64700920 / 24391202/ 9049750675


Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

‘Blind With Camera’ is looking for volunteer for photo exhibition at Mumbai

‘Blind With Camera’ is looking for volunteer for photo exhibition at Olive Bandra from May 10th - 16th. Please spread the word around, forward this mail or twitter or blog it.

People interested may contact by Saturday 8th. Details are given below.

Blind With Camera www.blindwithcamera.org (a project of Beyond Sight Foundation) is looking for ONE volunteer for the coming exhibition of photographs by the visually impaired at Olive - Bandra. Olive is one of the India's best know upmarket restaurant and popular for nightlife with regular from top corporate, MNCs and personalities from film, fashion, ad, entertainment and art world.

Purpose of the exhibition is to spread awareness, networking and to raise fund by sale of photographs. Marketing and PR of the event is handled by Olive.

Dates: Monday May 10th - Sunday May 16th (except Thursday May 13th)

Timings: Monday to Friday 7 pm - 12 midnight. Saturday & Sunday 12 noon - 12 midnight

Role of Volunteer: On generation of enquiry, volunteer has to brief the guest about the exhibition, give out exhibition catalogue and provide details of photographs the buyer is interested in and take down his / she in a Purchase Requisition Form and get a signature on the form. (Details of photograph like print size, quality of print, price etc are written in the requisition form).

Skills Required: Volunteer should be smart, fluent in English, excellent in communication, flair for marketing and desire to support the cause.

Payment: Volunteer will be paid Rs.2000/- Volunteer has to make own arrangement for food.

Partho Bhowmick
Founder
Beyond Sight Foundation
Mumbai, India
Mobile: +91-982147473
www.blindwithcamera.org
www.parthobhowmick.com

Beyond Sight Foundation promotes social integration of people with visual impairment through art and cultural practices, by providing training in arts - photography, visual, performance and literary, development of creative skills, opportunity to exhibit artworks, access to art, economic opportunity and support, capacity building for disability art culture and enriching community through renewed art and by offering sensitization workshops.

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

India needs new legislation on Disability Rights

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment of the Government of India has been holding national consultative meetings on proposed amendments to the Persons with Disabilities Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation Act (PWD Act). Meetings have been held in Delhi, Guwahati and most recently in Kolkata on March 13, 2010. The debate centres on whether there should be amendments to the existing law, or whether there should be a new law.

The Persons with Disabilities Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation Act, (PWD Act) of 1995 had heralded a new dawn in the lives of disabled people in India. For the first time in the history of independent India, a separate law had been formulated which talked about the multiple needs of disabled people. Very soon, though, activists as well as disabled people felt that the law had too many loopholes. However, this Act did help disabled people to come together, forming groups as they started making demands to implement this law.

To the delight of disability groups, India ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Disability Convention) in October 2007. This Convention marks a formal shift from the archaic medical model to the social model, and promotes the rights of people living with disabilities. Article 1 encapsulates the overall objective of the Convention which 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 recognises that persons with disability are right-holders instead of passive recipients of government schemes. In contrast, the PWD Act has a different foundation. The PWD Act was enacted in order to implement the Proclamation on the Full Participation and Equality of People with Disabilities, an instrument that did not expressly recognise rights, but laid emphasis on the need to eliminate physical and social barriers so as to promote the participation of people living with disabilities. The PWD Act, thus, does not internalise any of the core principles that form the bedrock of the Disability Convention.

Retain or recast?

There is a definite need to review the existing legislative framework in India to examine whether it adequately promotes the rights contained in the Convention. The Disability Convention imposes two key legislative obligations: (1) to ensure that the rights contained in the Convention are realised and (2) to ensure that existing laws and practices that are discriminatory towards people living with disabilities are repealed or amended to bring them in line with the Convention.

Since its ratification by India, there has been much discussion of the manner in which Indian laws must be modified or harmonised to give effect to the obligations under the Convention. While the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MOSJE) has proposed 108 amendments to the PWD Act including 50 new provisions, the Disabled Rights Group (DRG) led by Javed Abidi has unequivocally stated that the PWD Act has served its time and that there is a need for a new law.

Consultations on this issue at national and zonal levels are going on throughout India right now. Advocate Kanchan Pamnani, who is blind herself, says that the old law will need more than 300 amendments to make it suitable to our times, and obviously it is better to frame a new one than make 300 changes in the old one. Shukla Bhadury, mother of two disabled children agrees. She says it is ridiculous that government is even considering so many amendments. “Even in the amendments, punitive actions are not mentioned,” comments Sritama, a law student and member of Campaigners for Inclusion. “Any law without punitive action will not work in this country,” she says.

Let’s examine the differences between the Disability Convention and the present PWD Act to see why such passionate pleas to repeal this law are coming from all quarters.

Purpose

It is clear from the objectives of the Convention that civil and political rights and economic, social, and cultural rights stand on the same footing and that the state must make efforts to realise both. The PWD Act barely provides for civil and political rights and the amendments proposed by the MOSJE, too, neglect these rights.

Construction of disability

The PWD Act adopts a narrow definition of disability and confines it to “blindness; low vision; leprosy-cured; hearing impairment; locomotor disability; mental retardation; and mental illness”. As opposed to this, the Disability Convention recognises that “disability is an evolving concept” and avoids listing specific conditions and severities and broadly casts “persons with disabilities” to “include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.”

Foundational principles (Article 3)

The core human rights principles stated in Article 3 of the Disability Convention are respect for inherent dignity and individual autonomy; non-discrimination, full and effective participation and inclusion; respect for difference; equality of opportunity; accessibility, gender equality; respect for the evolving capacity of children with disabilities and their right to preserve their identities.” These general principles have been well etched in several provisions of the Convention.

The amendments proposed by the MOSJE merely replicate Article 3 without incorporating the provisions which further the principles such as those relating to civil and political rights, rights of women and girls with disabilities, and several other rights stated below.

Extent of application (Article 4(1)(e))

The Disability Convention requires the state to address discrimination on the basis of disability even in the private sector. The amendments proposed to the chapter on discrimination fail to expressly prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability or spell out the consequences for the same.

Recognised rights

The Disability Convention expressly recognises the following rights:

1. Right to equality and non-discrimination. It also recognises the need to provide for reasonable accommodation in order to further the right to equality.
2. Right of women and girls with disabilities to full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
3. Right of children with disabilities to full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. A child’s right to express views on matters affecting him/her is also recognised.
4. Right to access to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications, including information and communications technologies and systems, in urban and rural areas.
5. Right to life.
6. Right to protection and safety in situations of risk, armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies, and natural disasters.
7. Right to recognition before law. The right to legal capacity is also included.
8. Right to access justice with procedural and age-appropriate accommodations.
9. Right to liberty and security of person.
10. Right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
11. Protection from exploitation, violation and abuse, gender-based and otherwise.
12. Right to respect for physical and mental integrity.
13. Right to freedom of movement and the right to acquire and change a nationality.
14. Right to live in the community and choose place of residence.
15. Right to freedom of expression.
16. Right to privacy.
17. Right to marry and found a family.
18. Right to retain fertility and other reproductive rights.
19. Right to education.
20. Right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health.
21. Prohibition on discrimination on the basis of disability in employment.
22. Right to an adequate standard of living including adequate food, clothing, and housing.
23. Right to participate in political and public life including the right to vote and to be elected.
24. Right to participate in cultural life

While most of the above rights can be gleaned from the Indian Constitution, a glance at the existing PWD Act shows that it can hardly be termed a rights-based legislation. It recognises only the right to education, provides for reservations in employment and for half-hearted measures to reduce physical barriers. It also prohibits establishments from discriminating against an employee because of his/her disability.

These abovementioned rights must be codified in the form of a statute that is more likely to be invoked by people living with disabilities and can also be used to ensure that the state fulfils its obligations towards each of the rights. The amendments proposed by the MOSJE fail to provide for a majority of civil and political rights such as the right to recognition before law, right to privacy, right to marry, right against torture etc. Discrimination has been addressed only in transport and in-built environment. Clause 46A (2) of the proposed amendments leaves it to the government to frame ‘policies’ to ensure equal access to education, health, employment and other public services. It fails to expressly prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability.

Further, the rights that appear in the PWD Act do not measure up to the standards set out in the Convention. For instance, Sections 44-46 of the PWD Act require establishments and the government to take “special measures” to enable people with disabilities to gain better access to public transport, buildings, and roads. However, such measures could be undertaken only if it were “within the limits of their economic capacity”. A mere deletion of these words without fleshing out how rights may be realised will be unfruitful.

Without a strong implementation mechanism, the few rights that have been added on will be deprived of meaning. For instance, the Act empowers the Disability Commissioner to “recommend” necessary action to appropriate authorities in order to address “deprivation of rights”. This recommendation is of no binding value and the authority can reject it thus rendering the office of the Commissioner toothless as before.

Conclusion

The PWD Act will require a complete overhaul. The Act must be recast to comprehensively provide for all the rights recognised under the Convention. In a letter to the minister of social justice and empowerment, (http://uncrpdandlaw.nileshsingit.org/blog/letter-to-hon-ble-minister-for-social-justice-and-empowerment) the Disability Rights Group has said that the amendments proposed by the ministry do not mirror the rights-based framework of the Convention. In the past, the Juvenile Justice Act, 1986, was re-enacted in the form of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 to give effect to India’s obligation under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Involvement of stakeholders is inherent in a rights-based approach and their exclusion will be discordant with the soul and spirit of the Disability Convention. The form that the harmonisation should take must be thoroughly discussed and debated in consultation with various stakeholders and the government cannot afford to take the decision unilaterally.

With strong voices rising from within the disability sector, can the state remain inattentive to this demand? “It’s the decision of our lives, and we will not allow a few officers in the ministry to force down their opinion on us anymore, whatever comes,” says Rajarshi Chakrobarti, secretary of Swabalamban, a West Bengal-based organisation with more than 1,500 disabled members.

Source: http://infochangeindia.org/201003228194/Disabilities/Analysis/India-needs-new-legislation-on-Disability-Rights.html


Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

Animal Angels Foundation: Animal-Assisted Therapy for Human Wellness

Animal - assisted therapy (AAT) is where trained therapy animals assist a medical/human service professional to motivate and help a child or an adult learn or improve various skills like social skills, verbal skills, physical skills, cognitive skills and it also helps to speed up the recovery process. AAT is used to help clients deal with emotional / behavioral problems by using therapy animals as part of the treatment process.

There is a tailor-made program for each client and the whole process is documented and evaluated. AAT can be integrated into individual or group therapy with a wide range of age groups and persons with varying disabilities. AAT can be used to help people with almost any kind of mental, emotional and physical illness /disability.

AAT is always used in conjunction with other therapies. In AAT, a professional as part of his/her own speciality uses the animal to help the client. For example, a clinical psychologist working with children uses the therapy animal in the context of play therapy, behavior therapy etc.

At Animal Angels Foundation each of our clients goes through a pretherapy, mid-therapy and post-therapy evaluation. All therapy sessions are documented through quantitative and qualitative data as well as video recording is done of the first and last sessions to observe the improvement in the client.

Animal Angels Foundation is a Mumbai based organization run by Rohini Fernandes and Radhika Nair who are clinical psychologists, certified practitioners of animal-assisted therapy and professional dog trainers.

Animal Angels Foundation is the first organization in India working in the field of animal-assisted therapy.

Through this therapy, specially trained therapy pets assist in helping children and adults learn or improve various skills and in speeding up the recovery process. They practice animal-assisted therapy in the areas of developmental disorders, psychiatric disorders, physical disabilities, physical illnesses and behavioural/emotional problems.

We also work with kindergartens and schools where our therapy pets assist in educating children on how to interact with animals.

They have a team of volunteers who along with their therapy dogs and cats do animal-assisted visits to places like orphanages and old age homes and for Dementia & Alzheimer's .

Their therapy pets assist in helping people cope with life's day-to-day challenges such as loss, stress, loneliness and illness, in learning new skills and in speeding up their recovery process.

Contact:

Prerna, Flat 11
Military Road
Marol, Andheri (E)
Mumbai - 400059
INDIA

Email: animalangels@rediffmail.com

Website: http://www.animalangelsfoundation.com/index.php

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

Indian Social Justice Minister Shri Mukul Wasnik speech on Social Sector Issues

The Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment Shri Mukul Wasnik addressed the 10^th Editors’ Conference on Social Sector Issues (ECCSI) here today. On this Occasion, the Minister of State Shri. D. Napolean and Secretary (SJ&E) Shri K. M. Acharya were also present.

Following is the text of the speech of Shri Mukul Wasnik at the Conference :-

“ I thank the PIB for providing our Ministry the opportunity to interact with the editors and senior writers on social sector issues. On behalf of the Ministry of Social justice and Empowerment, I welcome you all to this conference. I am sure that our interaction would not only be very fruitful but the aims, objectives, schemes and programmes as well as the achievements of the Ministry will also adequately reach the public at large through the print media.

2. Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment deals with five target groups, namely, Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Persons with Disability, Senior Citizens and Victims of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. These groups collectively, constitute at least 60 per cent of the total population of India. The Ministry, thus, has a pivotal role in extending its support to a substantial segment of the population. We are following a three pronged strategy consisting of the educational, social and economic development of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). Additionally, rehabilitation of persons with disabilities and victims of substance abuse and well being of senior citizens is an important element of our programmes. The Eleventh Plan Allocation for our Ministry is Rs.13043 crore. The budgetary allocation for 2009-10 is Rs. 2500 crore, of which around 76% is for social, educational and economic development of Scheduled Castes. Our utilization of plan funds has consistently been more than 98% of our budgeted outlay in recent years.

3. Scheduled Caste Development

3.1 The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is the nodal Ministry to oversee the development and empowerment of the Scheduled Castes. Though the primary responsibility for this rests with various Central Ministries and State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, the Ministry of SJ&E has nodal responsibility in this regard, and also supplements their efforts by way of interventions like scholarships, hostels, concessional loans, etc. The Ministry also monitors the efforts made by State Governments/ U.T. Administrations and Central Ministries in development and empowerment of the Scheduled Castes.

3.2 Towards their social Empowerment and in furtherance of Article 17 of the Constitution by which untouchability was abolished and its practice in any form forbidden, the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 was enacted in order to enforce the Constitutional provision. Subsequently, another Act called, the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, was enacted and brought into force on 31.01.1990. This aimed at preventing commission of offences by persons other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Comprehensive Rules under this Act, titled “Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, 1995” were notified in the year 1995, which, inter-alia, provide norms for relief and rehabilitation. Responsibility for implementation of the Act primarily vests with the respective State Governments. The Minister, SJ&E has carried out a number of high level reviews with groups of states as well as individual states to ensure effective implementation of these two Acts.

3.3 Eradication of the practice of manual scavenging is an area of priority for the Government. For this purpose, the Government has adopted a three-pronged strategy consisting of (i) Administration of the employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993; (ii) conversion of dry latrines into water seal toilets and (iii) rehabilitation of manual scavengers and their dependents, into alternative occupations. A ‘Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers’ (SRMS) was introduced in January 2007 with the objective of rehabilitating remaining manual scavengers and their dependents in a time bound manner. Under the Scheme, identified beneficiaries are provided loan, at subsidized rate of interest, and credit linked capital subsidy for self employment projects. As per progress reports received from states ending 31.12.09, 69137 beneficiaries have been provided loans for alternative occupations, and about 13700 identified beneficiaries remain to be covered. All efforts are being made to rehabilitate the remaining beneficiaries by March 31, 2010.

3.4 For the educational empowerment of SCs, the Ministry is implementing a number of scholarship schemes, free coaching as well as assistance for construction of hostel facilities for SC boys and girls studying from school to college level. The Post-matric scholarship scheme, which is a flagship scheme of the Ministry, provides financial assistance to over 35 lakh SC students studying at post matriculation level. The Ministry is currently spending about Rs 750 crore annually under the scheme.

3.5 Special Central assistance is given to the States/UTs as an additive to their own Scheduled Castes Sub Plan to give a thrust to family oriented schemes of economic development of SCs below the poverty line. About 6 lakh families are benefitted from this annually. National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), an apex corporation under the Ministry, provides concessional loans including micro credit to the Scheduled Castes families living below double the poverty line for various income generating activities.

4. Development of OBCs

4.1 Financial assistance is provided to States and UTs for scholarship schemes for OBC students as well as for construction of hostels for OBCs.

4.2 National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) – another apex corporation under the Ministry, gives concessional loans to OBC families, who are below double the poverty line, for various income generating activities such as agricultural and allied activities, artisan and traditional occupations, technical trades, small scale and tiny industry, transport services etc.

5. Disability

5.1 In pursuance of the provisions of the Constitution, several initiatives have been taken by the Government for the empowerment of persons with disabilities from time to time. This has resulted in a fundamental change from a welfare model to a rights based approach to all the issues concerning the lives of persons with disabilities. Promotion of greater accessibility and barrier free environment for them is a prime objective of the Ministry and it is the first among the Central Ministries to have re-designed its website making it accessible to persons with disabilities. Other Ministries and their associated organizations are also expected to rapidly follow suit. To encourage the development of “accessible” websites, the Ministry has instituted a new category in its Scheme of National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under which three awards – one each for government, public and private sector websites will be given every year for the best “accessibility” features.

5.2 The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act in 1995, paved the way for realization of the rights of persons with disabilities. It is now nearly 15 years old and needs several amendments so as to harmonize it with UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to which India is a signatory and which came into force in May 2008. A series of consultation meetings were held during 2007-08 and 2008-09 in various parts of the country with stakeholders, to elicit suggestions for amending the Act. We have placed a comprehensive amendment proposal on the Ministry’s website and are consulting State Governments, Central Ministries and stakeholders on this draft, which is expected to be finalized in the next few months.

5.3 The Ministry has a scheme of giving assistive aids and appliances to persons with disability. These are provided free to beneficiaries with a monthly income of Rs 6500/- and at 50% of the cost to those with a monthly income between Rs 6500/- and Rs 10,000/-. The scheme is implemented through NGOs, recommended by the State Governments, as well as the seven National Institutes working under the Ministry. About 2 lakh persons with disabilities are covered under the scheme annually.

5.4 There are seven National Institutes under the Ministry working in the field of disability, viz. three working for loco motor disabilities, one each in area of visual, mental and hearing disabilities, and one in the field of multiple disabilities. These institutes are engaged in human resource development in the field of disability, provide rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities and also carry out research and development. About 5 lakh persons are provided rehabilitation services annually by these National Institutes.

5.5 Under the Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS), Ministry gives financial assistance to NGOs, for running various rehabilitation activities like Special Schools and Vocational Training Centres. About 2 lakh beneficiaries are covered under this scheme annually. Financial norms under the scheme have been revised from the current financial year.

5.6 A new Scheme of Incentives to Employers in the Private Sector for Providing Employment to Persons with Disabilities was launched in 2008-09 under which payment of employer's contribution to the Employees Provident Fund and the Employees State Insurance Corporation for the first three years, is made by the Government of India, in respect of persons with disability appointed by such employers on or after 01.4.2008.

6. Senior Citizens

6.1 As per 2001 Census, total population of Senior Citizens (60+) was 7.7 crore, which is projected to increase to 17.3 crore in 2026, and a corresponding rise in its share from 7.5% to 12.4% of the total Population. Ensuring that they not merely live longer, but lead a secure, dignified and productive life is a major challenge. A National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) was announced in January 1999. As ten years have passed since then, we have decided to undertake its comprehensive review in the coming months.

6.2 The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, enacted in December, 2007, have been brought into force by 22 States and all UTs. The Act makes maintenance of parents/senior citizens by their children/legal heirs obligatory and justiciable through Tribunals. It also provides for revocation of transfer of property by senior citizens in case of negligence by relatives, penalty for abandonment of senior citizens, establishment of Old Age Homes for indigent Senior Citizens and adequate medical facilities and security for Senior Citizens.

6.3 Under its Integrated Programme for Older Persons, the Ministry assists NGOs for establishing and maintaining Old Age Homes, Day Care Centres and Mobile Medical Units, Help lines etc for senior citizens. About 33000 senior citizens benefitted under this programme last year.

7. Substance Abuse

7.1 Alcohol and substance abuse has emerged as a serious concern in India. The geographical location of the country further makes it highly vulnerable to the problem of drug abuse. A National Consultative Committee on De-addiction and Rehabilitation Services (NCCDR) under the chairmanship of the Minister (SJ&E) was constituted in 2008 which, in its very first meeting, recommended that a national policy for prevention of alcoholism and substance abuse and rehabilitation of its victims be formulated. A Sub-committee of NCCDR is currently drafting the national policy.

7.2 The Ministry also implements a Scheme of Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, under which assistance is given to NGOs for running Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs), Regional Resource and Training Centres (RRTCs), awareness generation activities etc. Over a lakh of victims of substance abuse are rehabilitated under the scheme annually.

8. Other Activities

8.1 Every year, the Ministry gives National Awards for outstanding work in the areas of disability and welfare of senior citizens. It has also instituted National Awards for work in the empowerment of Scheduled Castes.

9. Media have an extremely important role to play in empowerment of disadvantaged sectors – by spreading messages of non-discrimination, government schemes, human rights etc as also by highlighting success stories of high achievers belonging to these sections. We look forward to working closely with the media in our joint quest for ushering in an egalitarian, just, humane and caring society.”

Source:http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=57034

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.