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The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘Government-run school for children with special needs to be established in Madurai'
A government-run school for children with special needs should be started in Madurai, said a resolution of the Tamil Nadu Association for Rights of Differently abled and Caregivers. During TARATDAC's fifth Madurai district conference here on Sunday, S. Namburajan, State vice-president, TARATDAC, said that the need for a school for children with special needs, administered by government itself was essential as most of the parents with such children could not afford the exorbitant fees demanded by private schools. In addition, technical education to parents and children with special needs should be given through government institutions, he added. It would not only provide them with qualifications but also empower the parents to earn money for themselves and their children, he noted. 'The ceiling of assistance given to the guardians or parents of children with special needs should be relaxed and they should be supported with monthly assistance and a tailoring machine,' Mr. Namburajan said. 'Madurai railway station, which is currently under renovation, is being used by thousands of people from various parts of the State and the country every day. Of them, many would hundreds would be differently abled people and elders,' he noted. To facilitate seamless movement for such people, the Railway Department should ensure that ramps were made at necessary facilities, and lifts were operated for those who could not use the stairs. 'Regardless of the needs, as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, the entire infrastructure should be differently abled friendly,' he emphasized. To enhance the livelihood of people with disabilities, the district administration should consider according 5% reservation to them in government managed commercial complexes, he said. A. Balamurugan, district secretary, TARATDAC, said that under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, the Union government provides only Rs.300 as its share. 'As the same amount is being given for more than 10 years, it should be revised and increased to at least ₹5,000,' he added. Akin to neighbouring States like Andhra Pradesh, and Union Territories like Puducherry, Tamil Nadu government should also increase minimum monthly assistance for differently abled people to ₹6,000, and ₹10,000 for people with severe disabilities and ₹15,000 for bed-ridden differently abled people, Mr. Balamurugan noted.
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Association urges Madurai corporation to open school for special kids
Madurai: The Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (TARATDAC) has urged Madurai corporation to establish a dedicated school for special children. At the association's conference in Madurai on Sunday, A Balamurugan, district secretary of TARATDAC, said, "There is no corporation-run special school in Madurai. Inclusive education infrastructure is essential, along with accessible toilets, reserved parking, and 5% shop allocation in corporation markets for disabled." Nearly 200 people from across the district took part in the meeting. While the association acknowledged that Madurai has made some progress in supporting persons with disabilities, it noted that basic facilities are still inadequate. Members pointed out that even dispersing disabled protesters becomes an ordeal due to the absence of a proper vehicle or support system. The association also sought monthly pension of 6,000 for all people with disabilities and 15,000 for bedridden individuals. "At present, most receive only 300 under the Indira Gandhi Pension Scheme," a member said, adding that financial stress forces many to compromise on their health and lodging. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pune: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo It also sought the removal of the 80% disability threshold for central assistance, arguing that many in the lesser levels of disability face serious hardship. TARATDAC also flagged concerns over accessibility at the Madurai railway station. "Wheelchairs must be available on platforms, and drinking water taps should be at usable heights," said a member. They also called for disability-friendly waiting halls and accurate medical certificates indicating the extent of disability. The association also sought free land pattas, priority housing under the Kalaignar Kanavu Illam scheme, 35kg of rice under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, a separate TNPSC exam, fee exemptions for disabled students in govt and aided colleges, and job reservations in public and private sectors.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
TARATDAC members seek better monthly assistance
Members of the Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (TARATDAC) on Thursday staged a demonstration in front of the Dindigul Head Post Office. They urged the Centre and the State governments to fulfil their charter of demands. TARATDAC members affiliated to National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) demanded the pension under the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme be raised. They said the pension amount was ₹300 and demanded the amount be raised to ₹5,000 a month. They said that the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, defined benchmark disability as a person with not less than 40% of a specified disability. However, under the scheme, the person to get the benefits under the scheme should have 80% disability. Also, a person should be above 18 years to get the benefits under the scheme. The criteria should be relaxed and all beneficiaries who apply for the benefits under the scheme should be considered. As of now, it only covers 3.84 % of the total differently abled population, they said, adding that more such persons should receive the benefits under the scheme. The members also sought employment under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme. It must be ensured that the differently abled are also included, they said. The Rajasthan government had passed the Rajasthan Minimum Guaranteed Income Act guaranteeing 125 days of employment. A similar Act should be passed in Tamil Nadu for the welfare of the people, the members said. The members also demanded that 35 kg of foodgrains under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) scheme should be ensured and the scheme was implemented properly. The members urged the Centre and the State government to look into the demands and take necessary steps to fulfil the charter of demands. Following the demonstration, they submitted a petition at the Dindigul MP office.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Disabled woman shown disparity during test at GRH: Assn
Madurai: The Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers Association (TARATDAC) held a demonstration at Madurai district collectorate on Tuesday, condemning the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) medical board for allegedly showing disparity when conducting audiometry test for a deaf and dumb woman to assess disability and behaving in an unprofessional manner. Protesters led by A Balamurugan, TARATDAC's district secretary, said an assessment by a medical board is necessary for getting disability ID cards and availing various schemes and benefits for persons with disabilities. "However, often there is disparity in the assessment of disability which leads to benefits getting denied for persons with genuine disabilities, simply because of a difference in percentage. In the case of one Lakshmi, who was diagnosed with 100% hearing loss at a private hospital, the GRH medical board, after audiometry assessment, came out saying she had only 60-70% hearing loss," said Balamurugan. He added that the doctors also allegedly told Lakshmi in a rude manner that she should accept their decision, or she will have to get an 'operation' done. Responding to the issue, GRH dean L Arul Sundaresh Kumar denied any mistreatment by doctors and that the Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA) test has been recommended for a more objective result as it does not involve active participation of a patient and that the woman patient can come in again for the BERA test on Wednesday and get it done.
New Indian Express
23-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Disabled people protest in Chennai for hike in monthly aid
CHENNAI: Demanding an increase in financial assistance for persons with disabilities (PwDs) and employment under the MGNREGA scheme, members of the Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (TARATDAC) staged protest in Chennai on Tuesday. Protesters were detained by the police in marriage halls, while many others were placed under preventive detention in various districts to prevent them from reaching Chennai. 'The monthly financial aid for PwDs in TN starts from Rs 1,500, whereas in Andhra Pradesh, it begins from Rs 6,000. We want the state government to increase the amount on a par with AP Additionally, over one lakh applications submitted to the revenue and differently-abled departments are still awaiting approval,' said S Namburajan, state vice-president of TARATDAC. The association also urged the government to ensure 100 days of employment to PwDs under the MGNREGA and revoke the recent order mandating eight hours of work. Namburajan said over 6,000 protesters were detained in halls without adequate water and toilet facilities. The National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled condemned the detentions, calling the move 'insensitive.' 'This action by the TN police is utterly reprehensible,' the organisation said in a statement. The CPM also slammed the police's alleged high-handedness in handling the protest.
