Social Justice Department to Conduct Survey of the Disabled in State - Thiruvanthapuram

Aiming at identifying and categorizing persons with disabilities, the Department of Social Justice is all set to conduct a survey of disabled persons in the state, perhaps for the first time in the country.

As per the population survey, around 7,30,000 persons are dealing with one or the other kind of disability in the state. By evaluating their social, educational and financial conditions, the data will be used for planning welfare measures.

Minister for Social Welfare M K Muneer told ‘Express’ that the survey was mooted as no accurate data  on the disabled is available in the state.

“By collecting details such as the degree and various kinds of disabilities, the government will be able to plan welfare schemes suitable for every category.

“There must be talent in them, at least for one activity. It could be identified and encouraged so that they never feel isolated. We could even prevent disability in the future generation if we have accurate details,” Muneer said claiming that the survey is a first-of-its-kind in the country.

“In the population survey, those with 10 or 40 per cent disability come under the general category of disabled. The survey will measure the level of disability in each person, so that planning could be done accordingly,” said sources in the Social Justice Department. The planning using details collected by the survey, done with the administrative assistance of the Social Security Mission under the Social Justice Department,  will be done in two years.

The survey will also redefine beneficiaries of the medical certificate, being used as identity card by the disabled, issued by the Mission. At present those with less than 40 per cent disability are provided with a card, as those with over 40 per cent disability are accessible for special benefits.

The survey will commence in the first week of September as the module and format preparations will be completed by August end.

The survey is expected to be completed in 2014-15 fiscal. Around 33,000 Anganwadi workers under the Social Justice Department will be the enumerators, who will be given training at district and state level in June and July.

Additional Chief Secretary, Social Justice Department, K M Abraham will supervise the survey and a senior officer from the Centre will coordinate it.



Source : The New Indian Express , 30th May 2014