One-Stop Centers for Disabled Persons in Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu state differently-abled welfare department is setting up 39 One-Stop Centers (OSCs) at the sub-divisional administration level as part of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act implementation. OSCs will serve as central district-wise hubs providing comprehensive welfare services and rehabilitation support for disabled individuals nearer to their homes.

World Bank Funded RIGHTS Project

The OSCs are being established under the $162 million RIGHTS initiative, which stands for Rehabilitation Initiative for True Human Advancement Support. The project has been sanctioned by the World Bank for facilitating Tamil Nadu’s RPWD Act enforcement through 2027.

There are three components under the $162 million RIGHTS project that will be implemented in phases:

• Strengthening state’s capability through policy decisions and creating an information technology system
• Rehabilitation through community and family-based services under which the OSCs fall and
• Commission studies to assess and provide skill training for the PwD.

Multi-Tier Service Delivery Approach

In addition to sub-divisional OSCs, smaller facilitation centers at block and neighborhood levels will also be set up for decentralized outreach. This graduated structure aims to make schemes easily accessible cutting through red tape.

Advantages

They are expected to reduce the distance travelled by the persons with disabilities (PwD). As of now, they have to visit the respective district headquarters to avail various services.

The move aims to change the services from centre-based approach to family/community-based to ensure all persons with disabilities get the required help easily.

Range of Services Offered

OSCs will have cross-functional teams comprising vocational instructors, physiotherapists, counselors and welfare officers. They would assist beneficiaries with certification, identify intervention needs, impart training, handhold for government scheme aids etc. saving them district visits.

Leveraging Family and Community Networks

Locally available centers can also skill family members on caregiving, destigmatize disabilities and nurture supportive community linkages to shift the approach from just institution-based rehabilitation.
The centres at the block level will have staff with a special educator and psychotherapist while the neighbourhood centres will have community facilitators. They will train the parents and family members of PWDs with the basic therapy.

Significance of Localization

Reorienting the disability welfare delivery model towards localization is a crucial leap for a more empathetic, equitable and effective support system. It also provides continuity of assistance framework tailored to individual needs rather than one-size-fits-all schemes.

Category: Government Schemes Current Affairs