**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 237 concerning integrative rehabilitation for persons with disabilities, answered on December 2, 2025. It outlines the initiatives undertaken by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, supported research projects, funds allocated, anticipated outcomes, and disability rehabilitation approaches in the Palghar district, Maharashtra. The response details various schemes, institutional support, and research efforts aimed at enhancing the well-being and quality of life for persons with disabilities.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Department Initiatives:**
* The Department promotes integrative rehabilitation through key schemes and initiatives.
* Nine National Institutes and 30 Composite Regional Centers provide courses, rehabilitation services, early intervention, and skill development across India.
* The Department offers national scholarships and skill development to enhance education and employment for persons with disabilities.
* The Department offers Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids /Appliances (ADIP) through Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) which supports the provision and innovation of assistive devices.
* **Research Projects (SIPDA):**
* The DEPwD supports projects under the Research sub-scheme of SIPDA, including assistive technology development, rehabilitation protocols, accessible learning, ICT-based interventions, and prevalence/functional assessment studies.
* Recent projects are being implemented by various institutions (PDUNIPPD, AYJNISHD(D), NIEPID, NIEPVD, and NILD) in collaboration with medical colleges, technical institutes, and community-based organizations.
* ALIMCO is undertaking key projects including low-vision assistive eyewear, Behind-the-Ear hearing aid, Kadam Knee Joints, specialized dies, and a proposed R&D facility at Visakhapatnam.
* Cumulative expenditure for the Research Sub-scheme of SIPDA from FY 2020-21 to 2025-26 is ₹3.49 crore.
* **Expected Outcomes:**
* Initiatives aim to enhance functional independence through technology-based interventions, evidence-driven support, and early childhood support.
* They promote holistic rehabilitation by integrating therapy, counselling, and caregiver involvement.
* They expand access to quality services via institutional and community platforms and strengthen a nationwide cadre of skilled rehabilitation professionals.
* **Palghar District Initiatives:**
* ALIMCO, in coordination with local administration, has organised ADIP Scheme distribution camps in Palghar district, Maharashtra.
* Assistive devices worth Rs. 97.39 lakh were provided to 1,057 beneficiaries over the last three years.
* AYJNISHD(D), Mumbai conducts community-based rehabilitation and early intervention camps offering screening, therapy, caregiver counselling, assistive device facilitation, referrals, job fairs, and awareness activities.
**Impact Analysis**
**Persons with Disabilities**
* **Impact**: Improved functional independence, access to assistive devices and rehabilitation services, enhanced educational and employment opportunities, and better overall quality of life.
* **Action Required**: Engage with offered schemes and initiatives for rehabilitation, education, and employment enhancement.
**Implementing Institutions (PDUNIPPD, AYJNISHD(D), NIEPID, NIEPVD, NILD, ALIMCO, Medical Colleges, Technical Institutes, Community-Based Organisations)**
* **Impact**: Opportunity to contribute to the development and implementation of innovative rehabilitation approaches and assistive technologies.
* **Action Required**: Continue implementing and collaborating on research projects and initiatives to enhance the well-being of persons with disabilities.
**Government of India (Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, DEPwD)**
* **Impact**: Fulfillment of their responsibility to promote the welfare and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
* **Action Required**: Continue supporting and expanding existing schemes and initiatives for integrative rehabilitation.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities: The primary department undertaking initiatives for disability rehabilitation
SIPDA: Research sub-scheme supporting projects on assistive technology development and rehabilitation
Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids /Appliances (ADIP): Scheme providing assistance for purchase/fitting of aids/appliances for persons with disabilities
ALIMCO: Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India, supporting the provision and innovation of assistive devices and coordinating ADIP Scheme camps.
Maharashtra: State where ADIP Scheme distribution camps were organized in Palghar district
Government of India
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 237
ANSWERED ON -02/12/2025
Integrative Rehabilitation for Persons with Disabilities
237. Shri Praveen Patel:
Shri Bhojraj Nag:
Shri Pradeep Kumar Singh:
Dr. Hemant Vishnu Savara:
Shri Vijay Kumar Dubey:
Shri Yogender Chandolia:
Shri Hasmukhbhai Somabhai Patel:
Shri Mitesh Patel Bakabhai:
Shri Rajkumar Chahar:
Shri Khagen Murmu:
Shri Anil Firojiya:
Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) the initiatives undertaken by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
for promoting integrative approaches to disability rehabilitation;
(b) the nature, scope and names of various institutions involved in the research projects
sanctioned under collaboration and implementation;
(c) the quantum of funds allocated for these projects and the specific focus areas covered;
(d) whether there are any anticipated outcomes of the initiative on well being and quality of life
for persons with disabilities, if so, the details thereof; and(e) the integrative approaches to disability rehabilitation by the Government in the Palghar
district in Maharashtra?
ANSWER
The Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment
(SHRI B L VERMA)
(a): The Department promotes integrative rehabilitation through key schemes and initiatives.
Nine National Institutes and 30 Composite Regional Centres provide courses, rehabilitation
services, early intervention, and skill development across India. Schemes such Assistance to
Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids /Appliances (ADIP) through Artificial
Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) support the provision and innovation of
assistive devices. The Department offers national scholarships and skill development for persons
with disabilities to enhance education and employment.
(b) and (c): Under the Research sub-scheme of SIPDA, DEPwD supports projects on assistive
technology development, rehabilitation protocols and therapy modules, accessible learning and
communication technologies, habilitation research, digital and ICT-based interventions, and
evidence-based prevalence and functional assessment studies. Recent projects are being
implemented by PDUNIPPD, New Delhi; AYJNISHD(D), Mumbai; NIEPID, Secunderabad;
NIEPVD, Dehradun; and NILD, Kolkata, in collaboration with medical colleges, technical
institutes, and community-based organisations.
ALIMCO is undertaking key projects including low-vision assistive eyewear with CSIR–
CSIO, a programmable Behind-the-Ear hearing aid with CDAC, Kadam Knee Joints with IIT
Chennai and SBMT (DRDO), development of specialised dies with CIPET and establishment of
a proposed R&D facility at Visakhapatnam in collaboration with AMTZ.
Under the Research Sub-scheme of SIPDA scheme implemented by DEPwD, cumulative
expenditure for FY 2020-21 to 2025-26 is ₹3.49 crore.(d) These initiatives aim to enhance functional independence of persons with disabilities
through technology-based, evidence-driven interventions and structured early childhood support.
They promote holistic rehabilitation by integrating therapy, counselling and caregiver
involvement, expand access to quality services via institutional and community platforms, and
strengthen a nationwide cadre of skilled rehabilitation professionals.
(e) To promote integrative rehabilitation, ALIMCO, in coordination with local
administration, has organised ADIP Scheme distribution camps in Palghar district, Maharashtra,
providing assistive devices worth Rs. 97.39 lakh to 1,057 beneficiaries over the last three years.
AYJNISHD(D), Mumbai conducts community-based rehabilitation and early intervention camps
offering screening, therapy, caregiver counselling, assistive device facilitation, referrals, job fairs
and awareness activities.
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