The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, introduced the Unique ID for Persons with Disability (UDID) Project in 2016. There are 2.68 crore people with disabilities in India, or little more than 2% of the population, according to the 2011 Census. No information about PwDs' personal information, including information about their disabilities, districts, levels of education, and work, is kept on file.

 

Need for the Scheme

A national database for PwDs is being created as part of the "Unique ID for Persons with Disabilities" initiative, and each PwD will receive a unique disability identity card. The initiative will promote consistency, openness, efficiency, and convenience in providing government assistance to people with disabilities.

 

UDID (Unique ID for Persons with Disability) Project

Also Read: Unique Land Parcel Identification Number Scheme (ULPIN)

A comprehensive, end-to-end integrated system for issuing universal identification cards and disability certificates for people with disabilities, complete with information on their identification and disabilities, is what the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities UDID project seeks to establish.

The UDID project's goals are to create a nationwide database for individuals with disabilities by identifying each person with a disability and providing them with a distinctive disability ID card via an online portal (PwDs). According to the PWD Act 2016, offer disability certificates to persons who have recently become disabled and those who are still without documentation. Encourage open and efficient distribution of government benefits such as pensions, rail concessions, inclusive education, skill training, and scholarships to PwDs.

They monitor the financial and physical success of benefit delivery at all levels of the implementation hierarchy, from the village, block, district, state, and national levels. The goal is to create an all-encompassing, seamless system for generating ID cards for PwDs containing information about their identification and their handicap.

Online accessibility to data about people with disabilities across the nation via a centralized web application is one feature of the UDID initiative. Online registration and submission of the application form for a universal ID card or disability certificate; organisations may also accept paper applications that are later digitized.

Quick Assessment procedure used by hospitals and the medical board to determine the percentage of impairment. No data from PwDs are duplicated. Persons with Disabilities can renew and amend their information online on their behalf. MIS reporting structure. Effective administration, including interoperability, of the government's programmes and benefits for people with disabilities to address future impairments that may arise. The current number of impairments is seven. However, that number might rise to 19 or more under the new Act or notice.

 

Disabilities Included in the Programme

Blindness, cerebral palsy, low vision, locomotor disability, leprosy cure, mental retardation, mental illness, and hearing impairment are among the disabilities handled by this programme. Both online and offline applications for the Unique Identity Card are accepted. While submitting an application offline, the applicant must provide the following documents; however, scanned versions of the documents may be uploaded when applying online.

• A current passport-size photograph.
• (Aadhar, a driver's license, a state-issued ID, etc.)
• Certificate of Disabilities (Issued by a Competent Authority)
• Identity proof (such as an Aadhar card, PAN card, or driver's license)

 

How to Apply for the Scheme

PwDs must create an account on the UDID portal. They will be able to apply online for a Disability Certificate and UDID card once they have registered and logged in. Additionally, they will be able to monitor the progress of their application. They may submit a request for the renewal of their UDID card or disability certificate, as well as a request for a replacement card if their UDID card is lost.

Additionally, they can download and print a copy of their unique disability certificate or UDID card. Locating their CMO Office/Medical Authority for disability assessment District Welfare Officer to receive support and to learn about the many schemes for Persons with Disabilities would be one of the unique features. They will also be able to view the latest news/announcements pertaining to disabilities.

To electronically issue Disability Certificates/UDID Cards and record information on Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), Disability Certificate Issuing Authorities (CMO Office/Medical Authority) will use this application. The CMO Office/Medical Authority will receive the PwD's application. PwDs will be directed to a designated specialist or medical board for a disability assessment when the requisite verification has been completed. Once the evaluation is complete, the assessment data are submitted, and a disability certificate or UDID card will be provided electronically. The procedure of issuing a disability certificate or UDID card can be automated, which will speed up delivery and drastically minimize processing time.

By offering an application accepting counter and assisting in camps, District Welfare Officers and District Social Welfare Officers are required to use the UDID site to assist PwDs in obtaining Disability Certificates and UDID Cards. The web gateway would make it easier for PwD-specific programmes to be implemented smoothly.

District Collectors will use this application to keep track of the UDID project's implementation and effectiveness. They will utilize some of the fundamental summaries and reports produced by the UDID portal.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment urged that the states speed up the implementation of the UDID plan for People with Disabilities (PwD) in the 75 districts. The Rural Development Ministry has selected the UDID programme as a component of its 90-day campaign for Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav in places "selected based on unsung heroes of India's independence struggle." The goal was to cover all 17 Central plans in the 75 districts.

 

Pros

• The medical certifications would not need frequent hospital trips for those with impairments.
• The UDID card will serve as the only form of identification and verification for people with disabilities in India when they apply for various benefits under various programmes.
• Since the UDID Card has a QR Code, it will also help learn the cardholder's identity, credentials, and complete address.

 

Cons

• A high percentage of cards reach recipients with pending status
• High rate of application rejection,
• Those connected to the programme lack sufficient knowledge.

 

Progress So Far

The initiative aids in streamlining the tracking of recipients' financial and physical development at all levels of the implementation hierarchy, including the village, block, district, state, and national levels. 70.28 lakh UDID cards have been distributed thus far. The effort sought to completely cover 17 Central plans across the 75 districts.

 

Conclusion

The PwDs have yet to benefit from the UDID scheme's performance to the extent that was anticipated after it was introduced. To ensure the efficient operation of the UDID Scheme, the department must provide the districts with timely access to adequate financial and infrastructure assistance. Despite the many duties and the district's limited resources, the monitoring authority continuously oversees and supports the inclusion programme.