Free Education till 18 years, special schemes, concessional loans for Skill Development and Technical Education for disabled in Odisha

Bhubaneshwar: The State Government has directed all departments for stricter implementation of provisions of Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Act, 2016 which has come into force repealing the PwD Act, 1995.

The School and Mass Education (SME) Department will carry out a survey of school going children for identifying students with disabilities and ascertaining their special needs. The survey will be conducted once in every five years.

While the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) Department has been asked to constitute a committee for research on disability, Law Department has been directed to issue notification regarding district court or designated authority to provide limited guardianship for PwDs who are unable to take legal decisions.

The SME Department will also ensure that every child with benchmark disability has access to free education till the age of 18 years. Institutions of higher education receiving aid from the Government will reserve five per cent seats for persons with benchmark disability.

Instructions have been issued to Skill Development and Technical Education Department to formulate schemes and programmes, including provision of loans at concessional rates, to facilitate and support employment of PwDs.

The department has also been asked to prescribe the facilities to be provided and standards to be met by institutions while issuing certificate of registration. Similarly, the Health and Family Welfare Department will designate persons having requisite qualifications and experience who will be competent to issue the certificate of disability.

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