Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Wednesday said that her Government was aspiring to make Delhi a caring city for one and all especially for the elderly and differently-abled.
Dikshit stated the Government was making the city disabled-friendly and this included creation of adequate support infrastructure in public transport, buildings of public importance, offices, schools, colleges etc.
She was speaking at a function during Autism Awareness Walk 2013 organised at India Gate by Attachavi Foundation. Educationist Shyama Chona and president of Attachavi Foundation Anita Sharma apart from 2500 school children, including students from schools for specially-abled participated in this Walk.
The Chief Minister also said that at India’s current population, it is estimated that there are 1.7 million autistic persons in the country. However, the majority of autistic people in India has not been diagnosed and do not receive the services they need. Furthermore, even if a child is diagnosed correctly there are very few resources at the parents’ disposal. Most schools are not equipped to handle autistic children. The problem of education of autistic children is quite complex.
She further stated that Social Welfare Department has been regularly striving for the welfare of differently-abled persons by organising regular Disability Camps at their door-steps to provide them all possible benefits under one roof, involving various Government and non- Government organisations.
In these regular Camps, Services like disability certificates, Identity Cards, DTC bus passes, Railway concession certificates, various aids & appliances as well as information regarding various schemes of Delhi Government and Central Government are provided.
She also informed that under the Financial Assistance Schemes, the differently-abled persons are provided an assistance of Rs 1,500 per month.