During a baseline survey, village visits, and committee meetings, several issues affecting local communities were identified. One of the major concerns raised was the lack of proper recognition and accurate assessment of disabilities in official certificates. This has resulted in significant challenges for persons with disabilities (PwDs), including:
- Incorrect Disability Percentages: Individuals with severe disabilities (90% or more) often receive lower disability percentages on their certificates.
- Loss of Entitlements: Due to inaccurate disability assessments, many PwDs are unable to access government benefits and entitlements, including pensions.
- Access Challenges: Many PwDs are unaware of the process for appealing incorrect certificates, and the physical barriers involved in meeting officials exacerbate the issue.
The Government of Andhra Pradesh recently increased pensions to ₹15,000 for individuals with 90% disability or higher. However, many eligible individuals are unable to benefit due to errors in their certificates. Moreover, the process to correct these certificates is burdensome. For example, applicants are required to travel to Kakinada and physically visit offices located on the third floor, an arduous and often impossible task for those with severe disabilities.
PARA’s Advocacy Efforts
In response, PARA initiated an advocacy campaign to address these challenges. A team of five representatives, including PwDs with more than 90% disability, visited the district collector’s office in Amalapuram and submitted a memorandum outlining their concerns. They specifically requested the following:
- Correction and re-verification of disability certificates to accurately reflect the percentage of disability.
- Issuance of updated certificates to enable eligible individuals to receive the ₹15,000 pension.
- Measures to make the process more accessible for PwDs.
Outcomes and Next Steps
The district collector acknowledged the issues and promised to organize medical camps at the block level to facilitate the issuance and correction of disability certificates. This initiative aims to:
- Ensure that new certificates are issued with accurate disability percentages.
- Update existing certificates to reflect correct assessments.
- Provide accessible, localized services for PwDs.
By addressing these systemic barriers, PARA hopes to improve the recognition and rights of PwDs, ensuring they receive the full benefits and support they are entitled to.
