According to census 2011, there are 26.8 million people with disabilities. In percentage, this stands for 2.21%.
The government of India has enacted some important acts for the welfare of people with disabilities in India. This legal provision on disability ensures that all individuals live in a society with equal rights.
Important Acts for people with disabilities (as shared by National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation):

1. The Mental Health Act, 1987
The Mental Health Act, 1987 was replaced by the government of India in 2017 with ‘The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017’. The objective is to provide mental healthcare and services for persons with mental illness and to protect, promote and fulfil the rights of individuals with mental illness.

2. The Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992
The Council lays down policy parameters regarding various aspects of training and education in the field of Rehabilitation and all institutions have to seek recognition from RCI as per the provision of the RCI Act, 1992. A list of RCI’s approved training institutes is available in the public domain and can be accessed through http://www.rehabcouncil.nic.in/

3. Person with Disabilities Act, 1995
The Act provides for both preventive and promotional aspects of rehabilitation like education, employment and vocational training, job reservation, research and manpower development, creation of a barrier-free environment, rehabilitation of person with a disability, unemployment allowance for the disabled, special insurance scheme for the disabled employees and establishment of homes for persons with severe disability etc.

4. The National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999
The Government of India enacted the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999 with the objective to provide for the constitution of a body at the National level for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

5. Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016
The Act replaces the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. It fulfils the obligations to the United National Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), to which India is a signatory.
The government has implemented a number of schemes and allowances as part of these Acts. These schemes involve:
1. Tax benefits
2. Travel benefits
3. Hotel discounts
4. Income activities
5. Loans
6. Public employment

Check out Government Schemes for individuals with developmental disabilities: Tax benefits, travel allowances, income activities & employability, to read in-depth about the above-mentioned schemes.
There are also Government Schemes for Education, scholarships & skill training for individuals with developmental disabilities.

If you have questions about Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, or other intellectual disabilities, or have concerns about developmental delays in a child, the Nayi Disha team is here to help. For any questions or queries, please contact our FREE Helpline at 844-844-8996. You can call or what’s app us. Our counselors speak different languages including English, Hindi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, and Bengali.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that this article is for information purposes only.