Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities has implemented a scheme called 'Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS). The project is a Central Government Scheme that provides financial assistance to NGOs involved in the education and rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities. In this article, let us look at the scheme in detail. Also, read ADIP Scheme

Objectives

The purposes of the scheme are to:

• Build an enabling environment to ensure equal opportunities, equity, social justice and empowerment of individuals with disabilities.
• Encourage voluntary action to ensure effective implementation of the People with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities and Protection of Rights) Act 1995.

Approach and Strategy

The scheme envisages the provision of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and makes available a range of services that are needed for the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities. These may include early intervention, development of daily living skills, education, skill-development oriented towards employability, training and awareness generation. The thrust is basically on education and training programmes and to include individuals with disabilities in the mainstream of society and actualising their potential. Given below are the key strategies to achieve the objectives of the scheme.

• To enhance educational opportunities at every level and expand the scope of vocational and professional opportunities, income generation and gainful occupations.
• To encourage coordination, networking and multi-sectoral linkages.
• To assist with measures that are necessary to promote formal and non-formal employment and placement opportunities.
• To execute outreach and comprehensive Community-Based Rehabilitation programmes in rural and urban environments.
• To support human resources development activities and train required personnel at different levels for all programmes/projects/activities.
• To assist development, publication and dissemination of information, documentation and training materials.
• To establish well-equipped resource centres at different levels.
• To advance and support the development of self-help groups, parent organisations and independent living.
• To support people with disabilities in projects that are environmentally friendly and eco-promotive.
• To establish and support facilities for sport, leisure-time activities, recreation, excursion, creative and performing arts, cultural and socially inclusive activities.
• To support construction and maintenance of buildings, provisions of furniture and fixtures, installation and maintenance of machinery and equipment.
• To assist with the conduct of surveys and other types of epidemiological studies.
• To support and facilitate the availability of appropriate housing, home and hostel facilities.
• To promote research in diverse development areas, innovative strategies, assistive devices and enabling technologies and support production of such devices that ensures quality control.
• To support the protection of human, civil and consumer rights of individuals with disabilities.
• To assist legal literacy, including legal counselling, legal aid and analysis, and evaluation of existing laws.
• To support other measures that meet the requirement of disabled individuals and fulfil the obligation that is prescribed under the People with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities and Protection of Rights) Act, 1995.

Grant-in-aid to NGOs

In order to cater to a large group of individuals with disabilities through a voluntary organisation, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is administrating DDRS scheme and provides grants-in-aid to NGOs for the following projects.

• Vocational Training Centres
• Sheltered Workshops
• Special schools for individuals with disabilities
• Project for Pre-School and Early Intervention and Training
• Project for Cerebral Palsied Children
• Home-based Rehabilitation Program/Home Management Programme
• Project relating to identification, survey, awareness and sensitization
• Project for Rehabilitation of Leprosy Cured Persons (LCPs)
• Project for Community Based Rehabilitation
• Project for Human Resource Development
• Seminars/Workshops/Rural Camps
• Project for Legal Literacy that covers Legal Counselling, Legal Aid and Analysis and Evaluation of Existing Laws
• Environment-friendly and Eco-Promotive projects for disabled people.
• Grant for purchase of a vehicle
• Construction of a building
• Grant for computer
• Project for Low Vision Centres
• Halfway home for Psycho-Social Rehabilitation of Treated and Controlled Mentally ill persons
• District Disability Rehabilitation Centres (DDRCs)

The maximum level of support offered could be up to 90% of the eligible amount of grant for the project.

Eligible Organizations

The following institutions/organisations are eligible for assistance under the scheme:

• Organisations that are registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 or relevant Act of the State/Union Territory.
• A public trust that is registered under the law temporarily.
• A charitable company that is licensed under Section 25 of the Companies Act 1958.

These organizations should have the following characteristics:

1. It should have a properly constituted governing body with its power, duties and responsibilities mentioned in writing.
2. It should have the resources, facilities and experience to undertake programmes.
3. It should not be run for the profit of any individual or a body of individuals.
4. It should not discriminate against any individual or a group with respect to their sex, religion, caste or creed.
5. It should not have existed for two years.
6. It should have a stable financial position.

Moreover, the registration has to be in force for at least two years while applying for the grant under the scheme. In exceptional cases, the Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, has been authorized to waive the condition for a minimum period for reasons to be recorded in writing, based on the detailed jurisdiction.

Norms of Financial Assistance

The quantum of support/grant-in-aid is determined based on the scope and merits of the project proposal and could be upto 90% of the budgeted amount. If an organization has received or is expecting to receive a grant for a project under the scheme, the grant would be sanctioned after taking the project into consideration. The applicant has to give information/declaration to that effect.

Conditions for Assistance

An aided organization/institution/establishment may avail assistance if:

• Inspected by an officer of the Central and the State Government, a nominee of their authorities or any other agency that is designated by the Ministry.
• It is organizing a seminar, conference, refresher course or a workshop at Government's expense.
• It has already received or is expected to receive a grant from other official sources for which the application is made. Assessment for the central grant would be normally made after considering the grant from other official sources.
• It maintains a separate account of the grants that are received under the scheme. However, it should always be prepared to check with an officer deputed by the Government of India. This shall be open to a system of internal audit or concurrent audit.
• It maintains a record of all assets that are acquired wholly or substantially out of Government Grant in the Stock Register and present the same to the Auditor when required. Considering this, the provisions of the General Financial Rules 2005 would be applicable.