The union government has made significant strides in empowering persons with disabilities (PwDs) through skill development and other welfare measures. Under the National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (NAP-SDP), launched in March 2015, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities has trained 1.42 lakh PwDs at a cost of ₹147.78 crore.
Out of these, 28,000 individuals have secured employment or ventured into self-employment. The scheme, implemented via government and non-government organizations, aims to equip PwDs with vocational skills to enable economic independence.
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, which came into effect on April 19, 2017, serves as a cornerstone for PwD rights. The Act expanded the list of recognized disabilities from 7 to 21 and mandates 4% reservation in government jobs and 5% in higher educational institutions for individuals with benchmark disabilities (40% or more).
Additional measures include the Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) scheme, which distributes mobility aids, accessible smartphones, and other devices. The Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) supports various rehabilitation projects and has benefitted 96,000 individuals over the past three years.
The government also provides scholarships for PwDs across education levels, including pre-matric, post-matric, postgraduate, and overseas programs. Over 1.15 lakh PwDs have received these scholarships in the past three years.
