The Hindu : New Delhi News : Delhi to be made disabled-friendly: Sheila

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Delhi to be made disabled-friendly: Sheila

Special Correspondent

“Govt. working on a policy for their welfare”

Photo: Anu Pushkarna

First camp: Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit enquiring about a patient on the inaugural day of a two-day camp in the Capital on Friday for free distribution of prosthetic and orthotic aids to persons with disabilities.

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Government is working on a detailed policy for the welfare of the disabled and wants to make the city disabled-friendly through creation of an adequate support infrastructure in public transport, buildings of public importance, offices, schools and colleges, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said on Friday.

Inaugurating a two-day camp for free distribution of prosthetic and orthopaedic aids to persons with disabilities at Prathibha Vikas Vidyalaya No. 1 on Raj Niwas Marg here, Ms. Dikshit said this was the first camp in a series and the target was to cover about 4,000 beneficiaries in a year.

The mobility camp involving Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti, renowned for its “Jaipur Foot”, has been set up exclusively for orthopaedically handicapped persons.

The Chief Minister said the beneficiaries would be provided on-the-spot and free-of-cost prosthetic and orthotic aids such as Jaipur artificial limbs (lower limbs), lightweight polio calipers with sports shoes, aluminium crutches and cotton leprosy footwear.

Several benefits

Ms. Dikshit said the State Social Welfare Department had been working for the welfare of differently-abled persons by organising regular disability camps at their doorsteps to provide them all possible benefits under one roof.

At these camps, various services related to disability certificates, identity cards, DTC bus passes, railway concession certificates, aids and appliances as well as information about various schemes of the Delhi and Union governments is provided.

Financial help

Ms. Dikshit said that under the Financial Assistance Schemes, the differently-abled persons are being provided with an unemployment-cum-subsistence allowance of Rs.1,000. Besides, scholarships and stipends are being given to the students.

Social Welfare Minister Mangat Ram Singhal said persons with disability availing of the camp would only have to produce their proof of residence in Delhi to get the benefits.

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