Rights and Facilities Available to the Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder in India

One of the most frequently asked questions on WeCapable is about the rights of persons with autistic spectrum disorder in India. People also ask about schemes run by the government for the welfare of people with ASD. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 comprehensively covers the affected people. Autism is considered one of the 21 recognized disabilities under this act.

As a result, all the rights and facilities provided by RPWD Act are available to the autistic people as well. However, I have researched and collected more specific information in this regard. I really look forward to my readers to contribute and help adding more information to this article.

Rights and Facilities Available to Persons with Autistic Spectrum Disorder

• Separate law for the persons with ASD
  • Although RPWD Act 2016 has come into force, there is a special institution for persons with ASD created by a national law. The National Trust is a statutory body of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, set up under the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act (Act 44 of 1999).
• Health insurance for the persons with ASD
  • The National Trust has launched the Niramaya Health Insurance Policy which provides a health insurance cover of up to Rs. 1,00,000 to the persons with ADS, Cerebral Palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities.
• Housing for the persons with ASD
  • GHARAUNDA scheme of the National Trust provides affordable assured housing and minimum quality care for the entire life of the persons with ASD.
• Making children with ASD ready for school
  • DISHA Centers have been setup for early intervention and to provide support to the children with ASD and their families. Children from 0 to 10 years of age are covered under this scheme. One of the aim of these centers is to make the children with ASD ready to attend school.
• Education and vocational training of the persons with ASD
  • The GYAN PRABHA scheme of the National Trust provides monetary assistance to the persons with ASD in order to motivate them for pursuing graduation/post graduation and vocational course.
  • The RPWD Act 2016 mandates that all children with disabilities between 6 and 18 years will be provided with free education.

These are only some of the facilities that are available to the persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). All persons with ASD should get their UDID Cards made — so that they can avail the schemes offered by the government.

I request my readers to participate in this article and share information on more facilities available for the persons with ASD. I will keep on updating the article while acknowledging your name. Please use the comments section to provide more information on this topic. Thank you for connecting with WeCapable!