NITI Aayog plans policy to push local production of assistive devices
persons with disability to avail assistive technology services to reduce the out-of-pocket payment.
NITI Aayog has started discussions with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), World Health Organisation (WHO) and stakeholder ministries to firm up the blueprint for a national integrated policy on assistive devices, a senior government official told ET.
India has an estimated 30 million persons with disability as per the 2011 census and over 5% of the people aged 60 years and above have some form of disability.
Assistive technology (AT) includes any item, equipment, software programme or product system that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Besides this, ATs are also used to overcome the functional-loss related to senile changes such as a decrease in vision or hearing or locomotor disability in the human body and also in overcoming disabilities owing to intelletual or learning disabilities.
“The Aayog is currently assessing the unmet need and potential of the sector following which it will propose targeted policy measures to improve access and reach of ATs in India and integrating them with the national health policy,” the official added.
The idea is to come up with an economically viable model for assistive devices to enhance their affordability, adaptability and functionality while also strengthening indigenous research and development and promoting mass manufacturing of assistive devices in India.
Under the United Nation Convention on the Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), access to appropriate AT is a fundamental human right and India has ratified the Convention.
The existing Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act
