The National Fund for Persons with Disabilities provides financial assistance to individuals with disabilities, helping them meet their unique needs and aspirations. This fund aims to empower and support disabled individuals in areas such as education, employment, healthcare, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and skill development.
Details
DoEPwDs has initiated a scheme that extends financial aid to Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) for an array of livelihood activities. The goal here is to support PwDs in areas crucial for their empowerment, which aren’t catered to by the government’s usual budgetary support.
Overview
The scheme is devised to back PwDs who shine in sports, arts, music, dance, films, theatre, or literature at the state level and help them participate in national and international events. Additionally, it funds exhibitions and workshops to present products like paintings and handicrafts created by PwDs.
Objective
Promote Inclusion and Empowerment:
A primary objective of the scheme is to foster social inclusion and empowerment of PwDs. It aims to bring them into the mainstream and encourage their participation in various activities.
Support Talent and Skills:
Recognising the potential in PwDs, the scheme endeavours to support those who excel in sports, arts, and cultural fields. This support is intended to open new avenues for them and enable them to pursue their interests at higher levels, including national and international platforms.
Encourage Self-Reliance through Livelihood Activities:
By providing financial aid, the scheme helps PwDs engage in livelihood activities. This empowers them to become financially independent and reduces dependency on family or government aid.
Enhance Quality of Life:
Through special components like assistance for mobility equipment, the scheme intends to improve the quality of life for PwDs, especially those with high support needs. This includes facilitating their day-to-day activities and mobility.
Facilitate Market Exposure:
By organizing exhibitions and workshops, the scheme creates platforms for PwDs to showcase and market their products such as paintings, handicrafts, etc. This helps them get exposure, find markets for their products, and generate income.
Create Awareness and Sensitisation:
Through the events and activities under the scheme, there is an indirect benefit of creating awareness among the general public regarding the abilities and potential of PwDs. It helps in sensitizing society towards the needs and rights of PwDs.
Collaborate with Organisations:
By including eligibility criteria for different types of organizations, the scheme promotes collaboration. It engages with government entities, trusts, societies, and companies that are working in the domain of disability, thus creating a synergistic effect in empowering PwDs.
Monitor and Assess Impact:
The scheme also focuses on monitoring and evaluating the progress of the assisted individuals and activities. Through proper documentation and reporting, it aims to assess the impact and effectiveness of the assistance provided.
Benefits
Component 1: Display of PwD-Made Products in Exhibitions/Workshops
- Event organisation expenses, including venue, travel, and transportation.
- Funds for additional arrangements such as LCD screens and music.
- The grant is given in two halves – before and after the event.
- Aid of up to ₹ 20 lakhs for national and ₹ 15 lakhs for regional events.
Component 2: Encouraging PwDs in Sports and Arts
- Reimburses travel for PwDs and an assistant if necessary.
- Daily allowances for accommodation and food.
- For global events, economy airfare and higher daily allowances are provided.
Component 3: Support for PwDs with Specific Needs
- Financial help is available for custom mobility equipment to improve daily living.
- Assistance is provided up to the actual cost of the equipment or ₹1 lakh, whichever is lesser.
Eligibility
Component 1: Eligibility for Exhibitions/Workshops
- Must be a government entity, society, company, or trust.
- Should be registered for no less than three years
- Must have a two-year track record in organising similar events.
Component 2: Eligibility for PwDs in Sports and Arts
- Must be a PwD with a minimum of 40% disability.
- Family income should be within prescribed limits.
- Must have a history of winning medals or recognition as a talented artist in the last three years
- Should not have participated in similar events earlier.
Component 3: Eligibility for PwDs with Specific Needs
- Should have special needs as recommended by the Assessment Board.
- Annual family income must not exceed the specified limit.
Application Process
Applications are submitted offline by posting the application and necessary documents to:
Joint Secretary & CEO of the Fund,
Room No. 527, 5th Floor, BIII Wing,
Pt. Deendayal Antyodaya Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road,
New Delhi – 110003.
Exclusions
PwDs who have previously received support for one National/International event are not eligible for funding for similar events in the future.
Documents Required
Component 1: For Exhibitions/Workshops
- Certificate of Registration
- Document showing the organisation’s experience
- Memorandum of Association of the organisation
- PAN/TAN/GST Number
- Invitation letter for trade/marketing bodies
Component 2: For PwDs in Sports and Arts
- Copy of a valid permanent disability certificate
- AADHAAR Number or enrollment number
- Certificate showing achievements or medals won
- Invitation from the event organiser
Component 3: For PwDs with Special Needs
- Copy of valid permanent disability certificate
- AADHAAR Number or enrollment number
- Copy of Assessment Board recommendations
- State Government certificate conveying initial submission and recommendation for assistance.
FAQs
Am I eligible to receive assistance from the fund more than once?
No, you can receive assistance only once for a particular type of event.
I have been invited to an event to showcase my paintings. Will this scheme cover TA/DA?
Yes, the scheme covers TA/DA for participating PwDs showcasing their products.
I am PwD. I have high support needs. What is the maximum financial assistance I can get through this scheme?
You can receive the actual cost of customised mobility equipment or ₹ 1 lakh, whichever is lower.
Is there any application fee?
No, there is no application fee.
What is meant by benchmark disability?
Benchmark disability means a disability where the affected person has at least 40% of any disability as certified by the medical authority.
I am a PwD. I wish to participate in the National IT Challenge. My family income is ₹ 2.8 LPA. Am I eligible for assistance from the fund?
Yes, you are eligible as your family income is below the ₹ 3 Lakh per annum threshold.
Where can I find the prescribed proforma of the application form?
The prescribed proforma of the application form can be found in the guidelines of the scheme.
Do I need to submit the original copies of the required documents?
No, generally copies are required but it's good to keep originals handy in case they're needed for verification.
How do I know if a field in the application form is mandatory?
Usually, mandatory fields in an application form are marked with an asterisk (*) or explicitly mentioned as 'required'.
Am I required to provide my AADHAAR Number in the application form?
Yes, providing your AADHAAR Number or AADHAAR enrollment number is necessary.
