Kerala has been chosen as the 'best state in promoting empowerment of persons with disabilities' in the country for year 2019, said Health Minister KK Shailaja in a press note.
The national award is in recognition of the work done by the state for protecting the rights of people with disabilities and also empowering them. The award will be handed over by the President of India at Delhi Vigyan Bhavan on December 3, International Day of Persons With Disabilities.
The minister, who is popularly known as Shailaja teacher, said that the award is in recognition of the new projects undertaken by the government for the welfare of people with disabilities.
Though there have been several awards won by individuals and institutions from Kerala before, it is the first time that the best state award has been given. The minister also said that it is a recognition of the work done by the entire Health Department.
The State Commissionerate for Persons with Disabilities is formed by various agencies that come under the Social Justice Department. National Institute of Speech and Hearing (NISH), Kerala Social Security Mission, Kerala State Handicapped Persons Welfare Corporation and National Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (NIPMR) are the organisations that work for the development programmes of people with disabilities.
The work of the various agencies includes that of the District Early Intervention Centre which does the initial intervention in preventing development delays and disabilities, interventions by NISH and NIPMR, consolidated educational programmes, ensuring education of all children with disabilities, scholarship projects, development of special talents, job reservation, barrier-free Kerala programmes, self defence programmes and so on.