Facilities for Differently Abled Children in Schools
The Government of India is assisting States/UTs to implement the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) as a programme for universalising elementary education for all children in the 6-14 years age group. SSA provides Rs.3000/- per child per annum for the interventions related to education of children with special needs (CWSNs). The major interventions under SSA for the education of CWSNs are identification, functional and formal assessment, appropriate educational placement, preparation of Individualized Educational Plan, provision of free aids and appliances, transport and/or escort support, teacher training, appointment of resource teachers, therapeutical support and barrier free access. As per Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) data 2013-14, 25.03 lakh CWSNs were reported to be enrolled in schools. Through home-based education, SSA has been able to cover 1.28 lakh CWSNs. 36 States/UTs have appointed 21,056 resource persons. 764 NGOs in 31 States are currently involved in the Inclusive Education (IE) programme under SSA. 2.60 lakh CWSNs were provided assistive devices through various modes in 2014-15. 82.33% schools have been made barrier-free. Besides, 14.82% schools have also been provided disabled friendly toilets. 53.60% teachers were imparted a specific 3-6 day orientation to Inclusive Education (IE). 1.26 lakh teachers were trained on how to undertake curricular adaptations in an inclusive classroom in 2014 -15. 42594 Braille books and 39283 large print books were given to the visually impaired children. Apart from this 1,43,211 CWSNs were provided transport support and 1,32,400 CWSNs were provided escort support. Therapeutical support was provided to 1,61,144 CWSNs, while surgical support was provided to 13,535 CWSNs under the SSA.
This information was given by the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Smt. Smriti Irani in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha question.
