Security for Differently Abled
The tragedies of Velayudhan in ‘Iruttinte Athmavu’ and ‘Kuttiyettathi’, the eternal agonies of Malayalies, are not being repeated today. The latest studies and literature have corrected the impression that every one should be the products from the same moulds. We should be able to bring such people to main stream by giving encouragement and realising their traits of weakness. The differently abled will be given 5% reservation for higher education and 4% reservation for jobs. This is the most important decision taken by government for implementing 2016 Act on the Rights of differently abled. In every district, committees will be formed for the differently abled. Disability Research Committees will be formed for overseeing research. Provision which is earmarked for schemes implemented through Social Justice Department, Education Department and Health Department for differently abled and for the development of institutions is considerably enhanced. Including the centrally sponsored schemes of these three Departments, an amount of Rs.250 crore is earmarked for the schemes of differently abled. Compared to the previous year this indicates an increase of 35%.
Rs.15 crore is earmarked for Barrier Free Scheme. The objective of Barrier free Kerala is to introduce facilities in offices to enable differently abled persons to come and to make use of the offices without any hindrance. In the first phase, Collectorates, Taluk Offices, Medical College, District-Taluk hospitals, Panchayath- Municipal Offices will be covered in the scheme.
The ‘Swavalambam’ is the insurance scheme implemented for the blind, people with defective vision, locomotor impaired and mentally challenged. Through this scheme health insurance cover amounting to Rs. 2 lakhs will be provided to these sections. People above the age of 65 can enroll in the scheme. The premium is Rs. 3,100. Out of this Rs. 357 will be the beneficiary share. The beneficiary share of the people below the poverty line will be borne by the government. Rs. 4 crore is earmarked for this.
‘Autism Park’ is a new programme envisaged for extending support to children suffering from the difficulties of autism and their parents. In the beginning, one park will be established in each district. The intended goal is to extend support to the children and their parents in education, communication, behavioral problems and in physiotherapy. An amount of Rs. 7 crore is earmarked for the
purpose.
Education
The number of differently abled children exceeds 25,000. Schooling and rehabilitation will be ensured for all the differently abled. Buds Schools are institutions run by Local Self Government institutions with the support of Kudumbasree. There are Buds Rehabilitation centres for the rehabilitation of those who pass out of Buds Schools and aged above 18 years. At present, these institutions are there only in 140 panchayaths. Only 20% children are given care. During 2017-2018, Buds Schools will be established in 200 more local self government institutions. Rs. 25 lakhs will be given as special assistance for starting new Buds Schools. This will be separately allocated to Kudumbasree. Panchayaths have to arrange buildings and other facilities. The mini bus, special tables, chairs and other equipments required for Buds Schools will be given through Kudumbasree. Rs. 40 crore has already been earmarked for this. Rs 25 crore is additionally allotted. Aided status will be given to Special/Bud Schools as per norms.
(190) An amount of Rs.863 crore has been earmarked in the Plan for school education. From this outlay, Rs.52 crore is set apart for the extracurricular activities of Kalothsavam, Vidyarangu and assistance to differently abled etc.
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