Content:
- Initiatives for the Empowerment of Divyangjans
- Measures for Care of LGBTQ Community
Initiatives for the Empowerment of Divyangjans
Context & Significance
- The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, launched 16 initiatives to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024.
- The initiatives aim to enhance accessibility, equal opportunities, and empowerment for persons with disabilities (PwDs).
- Awareness campaigns were conducted via print, electronic, digital, and social media to ensure that even remote and underserved communities are informed.
Relevance : GS 2(Social Issues)
Key Initiatives and Their Impact
A. Enhancing Physical & Digital Accessibility
- Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan
- Online platform for empanelment of accessibility auditors to assess built environments.
- Reinforces the Accessible India Campaign by ensuring inclusive infrastructure.
- Sugamya Bharat Yatra
- PwDs assess public spaces using the AI-enabled ‘Yes to Access’ app.
- Empowers Divyangjan as direct evaluators of accessibility.
- Pathways to Access – Part 3 Compendium
- Highlights government policies on employment, finance, and healthcare for PwDs.
- Provides structured guidance for resource access.
- Awareness Generation and Publicity Portal
- Digital portal to apply for the Awareness Generation and Publicity Scheme.
- Enhances transparency & efficiency in awareness campaigns.
B. Assistive Technology & Innovation
- High-Power Spectacles (by CSIR-CSIO)
- Specially designed for individuals with low vision, improving optical clarity.
- Kadam Knee Joint (IIT Madras & SBMT)
- Indigenous prosthetic knee joint providing enhanced mobility & durability.
- Divyasha E-Coffee Table Book
- Celebrates ALIMCO’s 50-year journey, showcasing innovations in assistive devices.
C. Inclusive Education & Learning Resources
- Accessible Storybooks
- 21 books launched in Braille, audio, and large print formats for inclusive education.
- Standard Bharti Braille Code
- Draft standardization of Braille across 13 Indian languages for Unicode compatibility.
- Braille Books Portal
- Online submission portal for Braille books, fostering inclusive learning.
D. Employment & Skill Development
- MoU with Infosys BPM (Divyangjan Rozgar Setu Initiative)
- Focused on employment generation for PwDs through the PM DAKSH portal.
- Employability Skills Book
- Published in 11 Indian languages, bridging the education-employment gap.
- Infosys Springboard Skill Programme
- Yunikee & Infosys collaboration to provide job-oriented courses for deaf learners.
E. Digital & Technological Inclusion
- Google Extension for Persons with Hearing Impairment
- SignUp Media & Yunikee partnership for accessible sign language content in media.
- E-Sanidhya Portal
- Developed by Tata Power & NIEPID, Secunderabad for neurodiverse individuals (autism-focused digital service).
- Computer-Based Indian Intelligence Test (by NIEPID, Secunderabad)
- Culturally relevant intelligence test developed using data from 4,070 children across India.
Legal & Institutional Framework
- Chapter IX of the RPwD Act 2016 provides for:
- Registration of NGOs and institutions working for PwD empowerment.
- Financial assistance to registered bodies for services and schemes, ensuring inclusive reach.
- Collaborations with private companies & NGOs help:
- Improve assistive technologies (e.g., Kadam Knee Joint, High-Power Spectacles).
- Expand employment opportunities (Infosys MoU, skill development programs).
- Enhance accessibility standards (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, Braille standardization).
Monitoring & Implementation Strategy
- Periodic reviews & follow-ups with stakeholders ensure the effectiveness of the initiatives.
- Strict policy enforcement & monitoring mechanisms address gaps in implementation.
National Disability Information Helpline Service (NDIHS)
- Launched in January 2024 on Short Code-14456.
- 24/7 IVRS support in English & Hindi, with live attendants during working hours.
- Provides information on:
- Aids & assistive devices.
- Unique Disability ID (UDID) services.
- Educational & economic empowerment programs.
- Government benefits & concessions.
- 65,000+ beneficiaries assisted so far.
Measures for Care of LGBTQ Community
Context: Government initiatives ensuring LGBTQ+ rights, welfare, and non-discriminatory access across food security, finance, healthcare, security, and legal protection.
Relevance : GS 2(Social Issues)
Food Security and Public Distribution
- Advisory by Department of Food and Public Distribution (D/oF&PD):
- States and UTs directed to treat queer partners as a single household for ration card purposes.
- Measures to prevent discrimination in issuance of ration cards.
Financial Inclusion
- Advisory by Department of Financial Services (DFS):
- No restrictions on LGBTQ+ persons opening joint bank accounts.
- Queer partners can be nominated as beneficiaries for account balances after the holder’s death.
Healthcare Rights and Access
- Initiatives by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW):
- Letters to all States/UTs ensuring healthcare rights for LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Awareness programs on LGBTQ+ health issues.
- Prohibition of conversion therapy to prevent forced psychological interventions.
- Accessibility of sex reassignment surgery (SRS) in public healthcare facilities.
- Inclusion of LGBTQ+ issues in medical curricula.
- Provision of teleconsultation services for LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Sensitization and training for medical staff to reduce discrimination.
- Measures for claiming bodies when family or next of kin is unavailable.
- Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Actions:
- Ensuring non-discriminatory access to healthcare.
- Reducing systemic biases in hospitals and healthcare institutions.
- Guidelines for Intersex Infants/Children:
- Medical intervention protocols for disorders of sexual differentiation (intersex conditions).
- Focus on ensuring a medically normal life without complications.
Protection and Security Measures
- Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Directives:
- Advisory for prison visitation rights for LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Instructions to prevent violence, harassment, and coercion against the queer community.
Legal and Institutional Reforms for Transgender Welfare
- Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019:
- Legal protection against discrimination in education, employment, and healthcare.
- Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020:
- Framework for the implementation of rights guaranteed under the Act.
- National Council for Transgender Persons (NCTP):
- Advises the government on policies, programs, and legislation for transgender welfare.
- National Portal for Transgender Persons:
- Online platform for issuing Transgender Certificates and ID cards.
- Transgender Protection Cells (TPCs) in 13 states:
- Monitor crimes against transgender persons.
- Ensure timely registration, investigation, and prosecution of offences.
- Transgender Welfare Boards (TWB) in 19 states:
- Focused on protecting transgender rights and facilitating access to welfare schemes.
- Equal Opportunities Policy for Transgender Persons:
- Eradicating workplace discrimination.
- Promoting equal employment opportunities and dignified work environments.
Conclusion
The government has implemented a multi-sectoral approach to LGBTQ+ welfare, spanning food security, financial inclusion, healthcare rights, security, and legal protection. While significant progress has been made, continuous policy evolution, sensitization, and legal enforcement remain crucial for ensuring true equality and dignity for LGBTQ+ individuals
