ii. Differently Abled Persons (DAPs) with disabilities face multiple socio-economic
constraints, including poorer health outcomes, lower education levels, limited
economic participation, and higher poverty rates than persons without disabilities.
They often experience exclusion and barriers in accessing health services,
education, employment, transportation, information, care, and rehabilitation
services. Furthermore, households with disabled members are more likely to
experience material hardships–food insecurity, poor housing, lack of access to safe
water and sanitation, and inadequate access to healthcare. Thus, these limitations
and barriers hinder their full and effective participation in society and affect the
country's productive potential, the human capital. To increase human capital and
reduce the achievement gap among people with disabilities, a coordinated and
comprehensive package of interventions appears warranted for addressing the
individual and community contexts at multiple and systemic levels.
iii. Tamil Nadu has always been a pioneer in the implementation of welfare schemes
for all sections of socially disadvantaged groups. Through its various initiatives
and schemes, the Department for the Welfare of the Differently Abled (DWDAP)
has extended full support to the differently abled people in their pursuit of full and
equal involvement in every aspect of society. The DWDAP is mainly responsible
for all administrative, statutory and service delivery functions, which are
implemented through its well-experienced workforce at the state, district and local
levels. The thrust areas of the DWDAP are prevention and early interventions,
special education, employment & vocational training, social security
(maintenance allowance, travel concession, assistance to NGOs), aids &
appliances, and barrier-free structure. Recently, DWDAP conducted a pilot project
in a few blocks of the state and has identified a need for a multi-sectoral, whole-
government, and capacity-building approach to care and rehabilitation of the
differently abled.
iv. The RIGHTS Project focuses on three pillars: first, promote inclusion of all by
ensuring that persons with disabilities participate equally with others in any
activity and service intended for the general public, such as education, health,
employment, and social services; second, improve the access of specialized
programs by investing in specific measures for quality care, rehabilitation, and
support services; and third, provide opportunities for persons with disabilities for
