HOW TO GET A DISABILITY CERTIFICATE

A disability certificate is a document which acts as a proof for a person’s disability. It allows the individual certain benefits, facilities and rights that are offered by both the central and state governments. Conditions that should be satisfied by an individual for a certificate: Must be an Indian citizen Should possess appropriate medical reports with a detailed explanation of their disability The minimum degree of disability should be 40%.

In Mumbai, disability certificates can be obtained at:

JJ Hospital, Byculla, for physical and mental disabilities, on Wednesdays (http://www.grantmedicalcollegejjhospital.org/)

The All India Institute for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AIIPMR), Haji Ali, for locomotor or multiple handicaps, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
(http://www.aiipmr.gov.in/Disability_Certificates.aspx)

SOME EDUCATIONAL CONCESSIONS

These depend on the kind and level of disability For vision-impaired: Extra time during examinations, a writer, exemption from drawing diagrams and maps, oral exams instead of practicals in science and technology subjects, 20 grace marks in a maximum of three subjects in case they were going to fail the exam.

For the deaf: Extra time during exams, 20 grace marks in a maximum of three subjects in case they were going to fail the exam.

For the physically disabled: A writer in case of hand-impairment, extra time during exams, exemption from physical education if requested by an orthopedic surgeon, 20 grace marks in a maximum of three subjects in case they were going to fail the exam.

For learning disabled: Extra time during examinations, exemption from drawing diagrams and maps, a writer, exemption from physical education if necessary, 20 grace marks in a maximum of three subjects in case they failing the exam.

WHAT THEY SAY

MITHU ALUR, founder chairperson of ADAPT (formerly known as the Spastics Society of India) “Without meaning to, special schools end up excluding children from society, disconnecting them from the real world. We must move away from this institutionalisation. Just because some children write using a special software instead of pens, why should they be treated differently?”

MEERA ISAACS, principal, The Cathedral & John Connon School, Fort “In the Indian context, with such large class sizes, it is currently impossible to imagine one teacher handling a whole class and being able to give enough special attention to differently-abled children for them to grow to their full potential."

UTPAL SHAH, cerebral palsy patient and finance manager "The concept of inclusion is new; I went to a special school and then a regular college, which was a different experience. You need to be lucky enough to make supportive friends, which I did. School and college buildings should be made more disabled-friendly."