Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme

Overview: 

For the overall empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangajan), a “Regional Conference on Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS)” is being organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India at Kolkata, West Bengal.

The stakeholders i.e. the NGOs receiving grant under DDRS, State Government Officers & District level officers will be participating.

 Objectives of the conference:

1. To disseminate the provisions of the revised scheme and to sensitize various stake holders about it.
2. To provide a unique opportunity for interactions amongst all stakeholders.
3. To ensure exchange of cross-sectoral views on the aspects of the efficacy of the scheme as well as the scope of improvements in it.

 About Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS):

“Scheme to Promote Voluntary Action for Persons with Disabilities” was revised and renamed as the “Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS)”.

 The objectives of the scheme are:

1. To create an enabling environment to ensure equal opportunities, equity, social justice and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
2. To encourage voluntary action for ensuring effective implementation of the People with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities and Protection of Rights) Act of 1995.

 Approach and Strategy:

The approach of this Scheme is to provide financial assistance to voluntary organizations to make available the whole range of services necessary for rehabilitation of persons with disabilities including early intervention, development of daily living skills, education, skill-development oriented towards employability, training and awareness generation.

With a view to inclusion of persons with disabilities in the mainstream of society and actualizing their potential, the thrust would be on education and training programmes.

 Mains Question: Do you think governments have done complete justice to the country’s estimated 2.68 crore disabled people? Critically comment on existing policies on disabled people and measures need to be taken to empower them, especially in providing employment.