The Ministry has been Implementing the Scheme for Implementing of Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 (SIPDA) for providing financial assistance for undertaking various activities outlined in the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, particularly relating to rehabilitation and provision of barrier-free access. Grant-in-aid is provided under this Scheme to State Governments and various bodies set up by the Central and State Government, including autonomous bodies and Universities.

2. The SIPDA Scheme has been formulated w.e.f. 28.1.2016. Provision of following activities have been provided under the SIPDA Scheme:

i)    To provide barrier free environment for the persons with disabilities which include access to built environment in schools, colleges, academic and training institutions, offices and public buildings, recreational areas, health centres/hospitals etc. This would include provision for ramps, rails, lifts, adaptation of toilets for wheelchair users, brail signages and auditory signals, tactile flooring, causing curb cuts and slopes to be made in pavement for the easy access of wheelchair users, engraving on the surface of zebra crossing for the blind or for persons with low vision, engraving on the edges of railway platforms for the blind or for low vision and devising appropriate symbols of disability, etc.

ii)    To make Government websites at the Centre/State and District levels accessible to PwDs as per guidelines for Indian Government website issued by NIC and Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (D/o AR&PG), Government of India, which are available on their website “ www.darpg.gov.in ”

iii)     Skill Development Programme for PwDs.

iv)     To enhance the accessibility of built environment, transport system and information and communication eco-system. The Department has conceptualized the “Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan)” as a nation-wide flagship campaign for achieving universal accessibility that will enable persons with disabilities to gain access for equal opportunity and live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life in an inclusive society. The campaign will include conduct of accessibility audits and making the public places / infrastructure fully accessible in built-up environment, transportation, eco-system and ICT ecosystem.

v)    To support Composite Rehabilitation Centres (CRCs)/ Regional Centres/Outreach Centres and District Disability Rehabilitation Centres (DDRCs) and also to set up new CRCs and DDRCs as and when required.

vi)     To assist State Government to organize camps of issuance of disability certificates.

vii)  To create awareness campaign and sensitization programmes for various stake holders and other Information Education Communication.

viii)  To set up/support resource centres facilitating dissemination of information on disability issues,   counseling and providing support services.

ix)     To promote accessibility of libraries, both physical and digital and other knowledge centres.

x)      To promote research and development activities in the field of disability rehabilitation.

xi)   Supporting activities relating to pre-school training for children with disabilities, counseling for the parents, training for care givers, teachers training programme and activities relating to early detection camps for children of age 0-5  years and early intervention.

xii)  To establish early diagnostic and intervention centres at District Headquarters/other placeshaving Government Medical Colleges, with a view to help hearing impaired infants and young children to acquire necessary skills to get prepared for regular schooling.

xiii)   Grant to the State Governments/UTs for the Offices of State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities for infrastructure facilities.

xiv)   Construction of special recreation centres for PwDs where the appropriate Governments/local authorities have their own land.

xv)    Support for sporting events at National/State level.

xvi)   Identification and Survey/Universal ID of PwDs.

xvii)  Financial assistance for any other activity specified in the Act for which financial assistance is not being provided/covered by the existing Schemes of the Department.