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Disability in India/Get Help

Statistical Details
Problems and Possibilities
Government Concessions
Centres for CP Rehabilitation

Statistical Details

Statistics do not accurately reflect the number of persons with disability. However, the 1991 round of the National Sample Survey revealed the following:

It is estimated that people with visual, communication and loco-motor disabilities number at least 14.56 million, or 1.9% of the total population of India. This figure covers only people who are profoundly disabled and does not include moderate to mild disabilities such as in people with mental disabilities, deteriorating neuro-muscular conditions, and those affected by leprosy. A separate sample survey on the incidence of Mental Retardation estimated that 3% of all children aged 0 to 14 are developmentally delayed; however this again includes learning disabilities. 5-10% of the general population of India is estimated to suffer mental disorders of varying types and degrees of severity. Village level surveys reveal that 4-10% of the population of the country constitutes persons with disability.

Problems and Possibilities

Almost every state has a Cerebral Palsy centre, but there is no national body to take up issues of the Cerebral Palsied.
There is a lack of awareness about Cerebral Palsy among the public. When there is a physical handicap, it is assumed that the child is mentally retarded. Many spastics have normal IQ.
You may not find doctors – general physicians and other specialists _ giving you much hope. They might emphasise on the fact that “nothing can be done” medically. This may be true, as the child cannot be given the full use of the affected parts. But various therapies can help the child to manage the handicap. This aspect may not be always pointed out.
Some spastics with normal IQ, who have been put in special schools early enough, have managed their problem well enough to be integrated into normal schools.
Some special schools are today equipped with computers which require limited motor skills for operation. This has enhanced the possibilities of communication, education and acquisition of skills for a CP child.
The integration of the spastic into community depends largely on the initiatives the family takes. Families, especially in rural areas and lower income groups, are not able to do much for the Cerebral Palsied. But for a middle class child, it is only commitment from the family that is important. Help is available in terms of special schools and government concessions. Extended families and hired domestic help can relieve the stress on the primary care givers – the parents of the child.

Government Concessions

The Indian Government offers concessions, has an employment quota and gives other perks to handicapped persons. Spastics too are covered by these schemes. The person’s degree of handicap has to be assessed at a government hospital or orthopaedic centre. This certificate will have to be produced to avail of the concessions.

Travel Concessions
Educational Concessions
Concessions for Government Employees
Employment Opportunities

Travel Concessions:

The Indian Railways offers a 75% waiver on ticket cost in all classes for the handicapped person and escort. Any special baggage like wheelchair or orthotic device is exempt from baggage fare. A copy of the handicap certificate issued by a government hospital has to be produced.

Many state transport bus services offer a fifty- percent concession on fares for the handicapped person and escort.

A handicapped person is exempt from the motor vehicles tax.

Educational Concessions

If you come under the integrated education programme you can avail of the books and stationery, uniform, escort, and aiding equipment allowances.

Concessions for Government Employees

Government employees, who are handicapped, or who have handicapped children, are allotted quarters on a preferential basis. They are also allowed to draw an educational allowance if they have a handicapped child.

Employment Opportunities

The Indian government reserves 3% of its jobs for handicapped people. There is a ten-year age relaxation for applying for these jobs. The National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation, under the Union Ministry of Welfare, offers loans at concessional rates for the handicapped. The Department of Telecommunications allots phone booth licences on a preferential basis to handicapped people.

The handicapped and their families can get tax deductions on Income.

Centres for CP Rehabilitation

The following is a list of Spastic Centres in India. The list is to be updated on a regular basis.

Vidya Sagar,
1, Ranjit Road,
Kotturpuram,
Chennai - 600085.
India.

Spastic Society of Eastern India,
P-35/1, Taratolla Road,
Calcutta - 700088.
India.

Spastic Society of India,
Sion-Trombay Road,
Chembur,
Mumbai - 400071.
India.

Spastics Society of Karnataka,
31, 5th cross, off 5th main, Indiranagar,
1st stage, Bangalore - 560038.
India.

The Spastics Society of Northern India,
2, Balbir Saxena Marg,
Hauz Khas,
New Delhi - 110016.
India.

Indian Family of Cerebral Palsy,
Dept. of Neurosurgery,
NIMS, Panjagutta,
Hyderabad - 500082.
India.
Tel: +91-40-3320332 / 3396552
Fax: 91-040-3310076

Savali,
13, Survey 78,
Bhusai Colony,
Kothrud,
Pune - 411029.
India.