
About Disabilities Disability & Assumptions Tips for Parents Legislation (Know Disability Rights) Government Schemes & Concessions |
About Disabilities The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines each term distinctly. Impairment is any loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological or anatomical structure or function. Handicap is a disadvantage for a given individual, resulting from an impairment or a disability, that limits or prevents the fulfilment of a role that is normal (depending on age, sex and social and cultural factors) for that individual Developmental Delay The term “developmental delay” is typically used in school systems as a general term to describe a young child who exhibits significant delays in one or more areas. An early childhood assessment looks at these specific areas:
Young children develop at varying rates. The goal of special education is for a developmentally delayed child to receive early intervention services and eventually catch up to his or her peers. Often a more descriptive disability is identified at this time (i.e. learning, motor or intellectual disability, etc.) Mental Retardation: Mental Retardation means significantly sub average general intellectual functioning, existing concurrently [at the same time] with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the developmental period, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. There are 3 factors in classification:
Diagnosis is individualized and often complex. It must include careful study and observation of a child by qualified professionals as well as tests for intelligence and adaptive behavior. Developmental Characteristics
Autism means a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, generally evident before age three that adversely affects educational performance. Characteristics often associated with autism are engaging in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to changes in daily routines or the environment, and unusual responses to sensory experiences. The term autism does not apply if the child's educational performance is adversely affected primarily because the child has emotional disturbance, as defined in #5 below. Multiple Disabilities means concomitant [simultaneous] impairments (such as mental retardation-blindness, mental retardation-orthopedic impairment, etc.), the combination of which causes such severe educational needs that they cannot be accommodated in a special education program solely for one of the impairments. The term does not include deaf-blindness. Orthopedic Impairment means a severe orthopedic impairment that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. The term includes impairments caused by a congenital anomaly (e.g. clubfoot, absence of some member, etc.), impairments caused by disease (e.g. poliomyelitis, bone tuberculosis, etc.), and impairments from other causes (e.g., cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures or burns that cause contractures). Common associated problems/complications with disabilities: • Intellectual disability • Epilepsy or seizures • Visual impairment • Hearing impairment • Feeding/swallowing problems • Gastro-esophageal reflux • Failure to thrive • Constipation • Dental caries • Orthopedic complications • Financial • Mental health of patients Disability & Assumptions 1. Disabled people are the most vulnerable section of society and have been ignored by state and society alike since long. 2. Disabled people have always been dependent and, therefore, need helping hands and gracious charity. 3. Disabled people are victims of their own bad luck. 4. Disabledness is the punishment for sins he/she has never committed in this life. 5. Parents of these children have committed sins in their past life. 6. Disabled persons are born to low economic background families Such assumptions about the disabled do nothing to help them. This approach perpetuates the stereotype of the disabled as victims and objects of pity and charity Tips for Parents Things a Parent Should Do
Legislation (Know Disability Rights) Acts: 1) The Right to Information Act, 2005 (Getting information in limited time) 2) The Right of Children for Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 3) National Trust Act The National Trust for welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities) Act, (1999)(Protection beyond the life of parents) 4) Persons with Disabilities Act (Equal opportunities, Full participation and Protection of Rights) (1995) (Equated with any other Indian citizen) 5) Rehabilitation Council of India Act (1992) (Promise for professional quality service) 6) Mental Health Act (1987) (Separated MR from ILA) 7) Indian Lunacy Act (1912) (Equalized MR with persons with mental illness) Regulations:
2.Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Institute for the Physically Handicapped (IPH), New Delhi bb 3. National Institute of Mentally Handicapped (NIMH), Secunderabad 4. National Institute of Visually Handicapped (NIVH), Dehradun 5. National Institute for Orthopaedically Handicapped, Kolkata 6. National Institute for Rehabilitation Training and Research (NIRTAR), Cuttack 7. National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD), Chennai 8. Indian Sign Language Research & Training Centre (ISLRTC) Government Schemes & Concessions Education & Children with Disabilities:
Disability Certificates: Government hospitals issue disability certificates that are needed to claim concessions and benefits, with regard to examination allowances, reduced fares on public transport, or financial assistance for those affected by disability. The procedure for obtaining a disability certificate varies depending on the type of disability, but an assessment of the child at a Government hospital will be required in all cases. Not all hospitals can issue all types of certificates, so it is important to contact the correct institution in Hyderabad. Income Tax Benefits: Income Tax concessions can be obtained from the local Tax Office by the parents of children with permanent disabilities, or adults with disabilities (not including Learning Disabilities/ADHD). Reductions vary from Rs.15,000 to Rs.75,000 depending on individual circumstances, and can be claimed on medical expenses as well as taxable income. Disability Certificates from a Government hospital are required. Aids and Appliances: Wheelchairs, hearing aids, crutches, Braille devices and other aids and appliances can be accessed through NGOs, the Red Cross, National Medical Institutes, the SSA, or through a Government scheme called ADIP. ALIMCO is a manufacturer of prosthetics that works in partnership with the Government. Sometimes financial help in purchasing appliances is also available from the State Government depending on the level of family income. Customs/Duty exemptions exist for the import of certain aids and appliances to India both by individuals and institutions – a disability certificate is required at the time of importation by the Collector of Customs. Who can help? 1. District SSA can direct you to local providers 2. ADIP Scheme run by State Social Welfare Department 3. NGOs: Indian Red Cross Society, Lions Club 4. IEDC Scheme (if in operation in your district) 5. National Institutes inHyderabad; National Association for the Blind (or District Blindness Control Society) 6. Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped 7. All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 8. ALIMCO regional branch 9. The Spastics Society of India Niramaya Scheme This is a health insurance scheme under the National Trust Act of 1999 for the welfare of persons with Autism, Mental Retardation, Cerebral Palsy and multiple disabilities. All persons with disabilities will be included and there will be no selection. The form can be submitted to the nearest organization registered with the National Trust or to any other agencies specially entrusted in this regard by the National Trust. On successful enrolment and approval, a health card will be issued to each beneficiary.
The scheme further envisages that there shall be:
Documents required for applying
Who can help? 1. The Research Society for Care, Treatment and Training of Children in Need of Special Care (Jai Vakil School) 2. Ummeed Child Development Center 3. Any other NGO or other agencies registered with the National Trust Act. Concessions The Government of India offers special concessions to the disabled in the following areas: (Courtesy of Rubina Lal)
Transport Concessions 1) By Train: Railways allow disabled persons to travel at concession fares up to 75 per cent in the First and Second classes. Escorts accompanying blind, orthopedically and mentally handicapped persons are also eligible to 75 per cent concession in the basic fare.
2) By Bus:
3) By Plane: Indian Airlines allow 50 per cent concession fares to blind persons on single journeys. Locomotor Disabled persons (80 per cent and above) are allowed the following concessions on Indian Airlines:
Air Hostess/Steward will look after the blind person who does not have an escort. |