Chandigarh: Chandigarh is set to establish its first district disability rehabilitation centre (DDRC) to provide comprehensive, integrated support for persons with disabilities (PwDs), significantly improving access to essential services in the UT.The department of social welfare, Chandigarh administration, has identified space at Prayaas — the existing rehabilitation centre for physically disabled children in Sector 38-B — to set up the DDRC. A formal proposal requesting budgetary approval under the central govt’s scheme for implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (SIPDA) has been submitted to the ministry of social justice and empowerment.The DDRC scheme run by the ministry aims to deliver rehabilitation services at the district level. It covers early identification and intervention, therapeutic support, provision of assistive devices, counselling, and assistance in availing govt schemes and benefits.Once operational, the centre will function as a one-stop hub for PwDs, offering medical interventions, therapies, counselling, assistive devices, and skill development programmes. In particular, it will include a dedicated therapy and early intervention unit for children with disabilities aged 0 to 10 years, providing multi-disciplinary services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, special education, psychological counselling, and access to assistive technologies.The facility will also streamline processes like Unique Disability ID (UDID) card registration, medical assessments, and grievance redressal. This is expected to greatly reduce the current challenges faced by PwDs, who often navigate fragmented services across different departments, hospitals, and offices — leading to time-consuming, confusing, and physically inaccessible experiences when obtaining disability certificates or accessing entitlements.Currently, services such as UDID registration, medical assessments, early intervention for children, and disability-related schemes are scattered among various govt departments and health institutions.Beyond core rehabilitation, the DDRC will promote financial independence for PwDs by facilitating access to loans for self-employment through banks and financial institutions. It will offer counselling for individuals with disabilities, their parents, and family members, while conducting awareness campaigns on disability rights and issues among the public and stakeholders. The centre will also collaborate with other departments and organisations to enhance service delivery.The proposed set-up includes dedicated areas such as a registration zone, UDID facilitation counter, hearing aids trial and test lab, visual impairment room, speech therapy room, psychologist’s room, physiotherapist room, counselling and assessment rooms, a waiting area for parents and caregivers, and provisions for an outdoor play area.Staffing will be handled on an outsourced basis, with personnel — including a clinical or rehabilitation psychologist, physiotherapist, audiologist and speech therapist, and others — hired at minimum wages as per Chandigarh norms.Officials view the DDRC as a major step towards creating inclusive, accessible, and empowering environments for PwDs and their families in Chandigarh, addressing long-standing gaps in coordinated disability support.BOX1: Services to be offered at the centre— Medical assessment and diagnosis— UDID card registration, renewal, and grievance redressal— Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy— Provision of assistive devices (e.g., wheelchairs, prosthetics, orthotics)— Counselling services for PwDs and their familiesBOX2: Who will benefit — PwDs who are residents of UT, Chandigarh— Children (0–10 years) for early intervention— PwDs of all age groups for therapy — UDID and entitlement services— Families and caregivers of PwDs— Schools and institutions seeking inclusion support MSID:: 129700072 413 |
