Context: Recently, the International Day of Disabled Persons was celebrated, with the theme “Building Back Better”. 

• It was celebrated worldwide on 3rd December.
• It was first established by United Nations General Assembly.

Importance and Significance

• Over 1 billion people around the world live with some form of disability, which accounts for approximately 15 per cent of the entire world’s population and 80 per cent live in the developing countries.

The reasons are

• The lack of services at their disposal.
• Societal attitudes or discrimination.
• Poor legislation or policy.
• Inaccessible physical environment.
• Persons with disabilities generally have poorer health, fewer economic opportunities, lower education achievements and higher rates of poverty.

Disabilities in India

• About 2.2% (2.68 cr.) of India’s population lives with some kind of physical or mental disability.
• The Rights of People with Disabilities Act,2016 expanded the list of disabilities to 21.

Government Initiatives
Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS)

• It is the umbrella Central Sector Scheme under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Objectives are

• To create an enabling environment to ensure equal opportunities, equity, social justice and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
• To encourage voluntary action for ensuring effective implementation of the People with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities and Protection of Rights) Act of 1995.

Unique Disability ID

• Unique ID for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) project aims at building a holistic end-to-end integrated system for issuance of Universal ID & Disability Certificates for Person with Disabilities.
• It is being implemented with a view of creating a National Database for PwDs.

Scholarships for Persons with Disabilities
It is the umbrella scholarship scheme of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities:

• Pre-matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities
• Post-matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities
• Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities
• National Overseas Scholarship for Students with Disabilities
• National Fellowship for Persons with Disabilities
• Free Coaching for Students with Disabilities 

Assistance to Disabled persons for purchasing / fitting of aids / appliances (ADIP) scheme

• Objective: To assist the needy disabled persons in procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances that can promote their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation, by reducing the effects of disabilities and enhance their economic potential.
• The aids/appliances which do not cost more than Rs. 10,000/ - are covered under the scheme for single disability and the limit will apply to individual items separately in case more than one aid/appliance is required in the case of multiple disabilities.

Scheme for Implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (SIPDA)

• The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has been Implementing the Scheme for Implementing of Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 (SIPDA) for providing financial assistance for undertaking various activities outlined in the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, particularly relating to rehabilitation and provision of barrier-free access.
• Grant-in-aid is provided under this Scheme to State Governments and various bodies set up by the Central and State Government, including autonomous bodies and Universities.