Latest news with #DepartmentofEmpowermentofPersonswithDisabilities
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
One year on, national scholarships elude 183 students with disabilities in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR: Even as the new academic session is set to start, as many as 183 students with disabilities of the state are awaiting national scholarships for close to a year. They had submitted applications for the scholarships through their educational institutions in 2024-25. This has come to the fore at a recent review meeting held by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment on the status of applications under National Scholarships for Students with Disabilities. In a letter to the state government, the department informed that 183 applications received from students with disabilities in the state during the 2024-25 session are still pending verification at the institution level. The applications were for three scholarship schemes of the Government of India - top class, post-matric and pre-matric. While top class scholarship is for students who want to pursue graduate and PG degree or diploma, post-matric is for students from Class XI to PG degree or diploma. Similarly, pre-matric scholarship is for students of classes IX and X. The department further noticed that even the offline verified scholarship applications sent by the educational institutions to the department for payment of scholarship amount, were lacking necessary documents including disability certificates.
Hans India
31-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Four AI missions launched for differently-abled to ensure ease of services
Bengaluru: The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on Friday launched four major digital and technology missions to aid persons with disabilities in receiving government and societal services in the areas of education, healthcare, livelihood, and everyday life. It is being implemented in collaboration with the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), according to an official statement. The four missions -- Mission AI Accessibility, Implementation of AI in Assistive Technology and Tools for Empowering People with Disabilities, National Disability Support AI Chat Bot, and Unified Benefits Interface (UBI), modelled on the widespread and popular UPI financial technological tool, were launched here by Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, DEPwD at the national conference on AI for Empowering Persons with Disabilities. 'India now has one billion digital Aadhaar IDs. The digi-locker, which can have all physical documents in digital form in just one device, and the UPI (Unified Payments Interface), which has made financial transactions easy. According to him, differently-abled students will receive scholarships in their accounts in 24 hours from now on and people with health problems can interact with a chatbot to clarify and seek medical and health advisory services from home itself.
Hans India
30-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Centre launches four AI Missions, including, National UBI and Chatbot AI digital technologies for the disabled
Bengaluru: The Government of India's Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, in collaboration with Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) here on Friday at The National Conference on AI for Empowering Persons with Disabilities launched four major digital and technology missions to aid persons with disabilities in receiving government and societal services in the areas of education, healthcare, livelihood, and everyday life. The four missions, Mission AI Accessibility, Implementation of AI in Assistive Technology and Tools for Empowering People with Disabilities, National Disability Support AI Chat Bot, and Unified Benefits Interface (UBI), modelled on the widespread and popular UPI financial technological tool, were launched by Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, DEPwD in the presence of a government officials, technology experts from IITs and AIIMS, Technology Entrepreneurs and citizens. The Secretary, DEPwD, unveiling the National AI Missions for Persons with Disabilities, Rajesh Aggarwal said, 'India now has one billion digital Aadhaar IDs, the digi-locker which can have all physical documents in digital form in just one device, and the UPI (Unified Payments Interface) which has made financial transactions easy. We are extending this digital footprint for persons with disabilities by digitalising and automating a series of government benefits, schemes and policies, to reach beneficiaries within 24 hours in the areas of education, health, livelihood and finance. Disabled students will receive scholarships in their accounts in 24 hours from now on and people with health problems can interact with a chatbot to clarify and seek medical and health advisory services from home itself and the UBI will ensure digital and technological interaction between disabled people and the government to ensure services are delivered without bureaucratic delays and hindrances. The interaction will be direct, easy and seamless, made possible by AI.' The Member of the Steering Committee of NITI Aayog instituted to design the National Strategic Framework of Assistive Technology (AT) in India with the objective of making India a Global Hub of Assistive Technology, and Co-Founder and CEO of AssisTech Foundation (ATF), which has changed the lives of a million disabled people, Prateek Madhav said, 'We are working with the Government to ensure that persons with disabilities, particularly learners, are equipped with the right Assistive Technologies (AT) - screen readers, Braille displays, sign language plugins, speech recognition tools, and adaptive input devices – to ensure an hindrance-free everyday life as well as seamless and easy interaction and practical working in the fields of education, health, and livelihood to enable persons with disabilities have a hurdle-free reception of benefits. We concur with Aggarwal's UBI initiative modelled on UPI as this will ease implementation of benefits for persons with disabilities. With over 14.96 billion transactions per day and a total transaction value of ₹23.25 trillion, UPI has revolutionized how Indians handle money. But beyond the numbers lies a deeper impact—ease of access for people with physical disabilities. No longer do they have to travel to banks, wait in long queues, or manage cheque books. UPI allows users to send or receive any amount—from 10 paise to ₹10 lakh—right from their homes. For the disabled, this saves not just time and energy, but also the physical and emotional strain of navigating public spaces. When paired with Assistive Technologies like voice commands, screen readers, and simplified interfaces, digital payments become even more inclusive. Digital payment system is more than a mere advancement—it is a powerful equalizer.' Prateek has co-founded the Global Alliance on Assistive Technology Innovations and Investments, known as the Inclusive Innovation Network (+N), along with AT pioneers and partners from Australia, Canada, and Kenya to bring in their innovations into India to aid persons with disabilities. He is establishing the largest AT innovation ecosystem in India and under his leadership, ATF has developed a network of over 450+ AT startups, impacted the lives of 1 million individuals with disabilities. Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, MEITY, and DG, NIC said, 'We are working with state governments to adopt AI models and missions we will be taking all these technologies to tier-2 and tier-3 cities in India to help the underserved and disabled.' A highlight of the conference was the high-impact panel session on 'Assistive Technology Leveraging AI', moderated by Prateek, which featured a distinguished panel of experts. Sandeep Alur, CTO, Microsoft Innovation Hub, said, AI can see, hear, speak, reason, memorize and think. This means that the future is AI adapting to individual requirements, especially for the disabled.' Shekar Naik, Padma Shri Awardee and Former Captain, Indian Blind Cricket Team, who is training hundreds of blind cricketers said, 'AI on the laptop helps us now to place players on the cricket field in minutes. It would take hours or half a day earlier. I can now book my tickets, write on my own or type on my own. AI has ended dependency of the blind permanently.' Amitabh Nag, CEO, Bhashini Project, which is transforming the language translation scenario in India, said, 'We are developing speech to text and text to speech, voice technologies, websites in Indian languages, addressing translation of dialects beyond the 22 official languages to help the disabled.' Chandrika Jain, CMO, Lenovo India said, 'Design of AI technologies should be undertaken with the disabled, not for them. The disabled have to be part of the tech design, not as an afterthought.' Prateek, who steered the insightful and thought-provoking discussion, concluded stating that ATF's hope and vision is to build the world's first Unicorn (start-up) that would reach a billion disabled people by developing technologies that would help the disabled. 'A Unicorn is a billion-dollar start-up, but for us, Unicorn is not about money, it's about a billion people. There is hope because we have moved from 400 start-ups 10 years ago to 1.7 lakh start-ups in 2025.' The panel collectively underscored the importance of collaboration between government, private sector, and social innovation ecosystems to build an AI-powered accessible future. The conference served as a pivotal platform to explore the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Assistive Technology (AT), with the goal of harnessing cutting-edge innovations to enhance accessibility, inclusion, and empowerment for persons with disabilities.
United News of India
23-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
UP govt aims to make Braille press technologically advanced
Lucknow, May 23 (UNI) Five Braille presses are run under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in Uttar Pradesh which publish textbooks in Braille for various subjects, ensuring that visually impaired students across the state's specialised schools have equal access to quality education, official sources said here on Friday. Sources said that this initiative is bridging the educational divide and boosting the confidence and self-esteem of thousands of students. "Particularly noteworthy is the contribution of the Government Braille Press in Lucknow. This institution has successfully made all UP Board textbooks up to the high school level available in Braille, ensuring that visually impaired students receive accurate and timely educational material. This has enabled them to compete effectively in mainstream academic and competitive environments," they said. Sources said that in recognition of its excellence, the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment conferred the National Award on the Lucknow Braille Press in 2019, a testament to both the press's quality and the Yogi government's inclusive policies. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has consistently emphasised that 'every citizen, regardless of physical ability, can contribute to the state's development, provided they are given the right resources and opportunities'. Guided by this philosophy, the government has launched multiple supportive schemes for Divyang students, including scholarships, hostel facilities and vocational training programmes. Sources said that operating Braille presses for visually impaired students is a foundational and transformative step in this mission. "It helps these students move toward self-reliance and earn their place in society with dignity. Looking ahead, the state government aims to upgrade these presses with modern technology further and introduce digital Braille content, enabling students to access education globally," they said. Sources said that the Yogi government's visionary approach has turned education for Divyang students from a mere entitlement into a real opportunity, setting a benchmark for inclusive development that other states are beginning to emulate. UNI AB GNK
United News of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Ensure compassionate governance in Divyang schools: Yogi
Lucknow, May 21 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday emphasised the need for a sensitive, vigilant and proactive administrative system in educational institutions catering to Divyang (differently abled) youth. During a review of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, the CM expressed concern over disruptive elements attempting to lead Divyang students in schools and universities astray to anti-social activities. "We must remain fully alert to such tendencies and ensure the safety and psychosocial protection of our students," he said. He directed that permission for external organisations to operate in these institutions should only be granted after thorough background investigations. Yogi directed comprehensive inspections of all Bachpan Day Care Centres, Mansik Mandit Ashray Kendras, Integrated Schools, 'Mamta', 'Sparsh' and 'Sanket' schools across the state. "Institutional frameworks must be strengthened further by engaging with the students and understanding their needs, as well as the aspirations and expectations of their parents," he said. He emphasised the urgent need to fill vacant teaching posts in these schools. "Until regular appointments are made, qualified youth can be employed through alternative arrangements, with appropriate weightage given to them in future selection processes," he said. During the meeting, the CM was updated on the status, achievements and action plans of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and the Backwards Classes Welfare Department. He directed that all welfare schemes must be transparent, technically efficient and ensure timely delivery of benefits to the intended beneficiaries. He highlighted that over the past eight years, the department's budget has increased more than tenfold, reflecting the government's strong commitment to the welfare of Divyang individuals. Officials reported that under the Divyangjan Pension Scheme, Rs 1,300 crore has been distributed to 11.04 lakh beneficiaries, while approximately 12,000 persons affected by leprosy receive monthly assistance of Rs 3,000. Yogi directed the launch of a state-level campaign to identify eligible individuals not yet receiving pensions, as well as those fraudulently availing benefits, with strict action to be taken accordingly. It was further reported that in the last financial year, Rs 28.93 crore was provided to 35,136 Divyang individuals for assistive devices such as tricycles, wheelchairs and Braille kits. Under the Motorised Tricycle Scheme, equipment worth up to Rs 2 lakh has been supplied to 270 severely disabled beneficiaries. The CM emphasised the need to ensure prompt delivery of benefits from central government schemes to eligible state beneficiaries. He also urged Members of Parliament and Legislative Assembly to contribute funds toward the Motorised Tricycle Scheme. Reviewing the 'Cochlear Implant Scheme', he stressed that its success hinges on initiating treatment from the newborn stage. He directed the officials to maintain communication with the families of 214 recently benefited children and closely monitor their health progress. In the education sector, officials informed Yogi that 1,390 visually, hearing and mentally challenged children receive necessary training and education through Child Day Care Centres across 25 districts. Besides, residential education is provided to 1,680 children via 16 special schools, 7 integrated schools and 5 mental rehabilitation centres operating within the state. He directed that priority be given to skill development-based courses at Lucknow's Dr Shakuntala Mishra National Rehabilitation University and Chitrakoot's Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Divyang Rajya Vishwavidyalaya. He emphasised that these institutions should be promoted at the national level to attract Divyangjans from across the country. During the meeting, it was also reported that over 15 lakh Divyangjans have been registered on the UDID portal in the state, with most having received their Unique ID cards. The CM directed that 'Divyang Rehabilitation Centres' be established on a priority basis at all 18 divisional headquarters to provide rehabilitation, education and skill development services locally. UNI AB BD
