National policies like the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act of 2016 lay down the framework for inclusive education in India. These policies emphasise the importance of ensuring that every child, regardless of disability, has access to education. Yet, in practice, disabled children in Assam are often left behind.
GUWAHATI: The Unique Disability Identity (UDID) card, introduced by the Government of India, serves as a vital tool for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). It is recognised as official proof of disability, allowing PwDs access to various government schemes and benefits, such as financial aid, healthcare services, education, and employment opportunities. While the Union government has been issuing new guidelines to speed up the distribution of these cards, the reality on the ground tells a different story—many PwDs in Assam are still waiting to receive their UDID cards.
The departments responsible for issuing these cards in Assam include the Social Justice Department, the Health and Family Welfare Department, and the Education Department. Despite their combined efforts, the number of PwDs without UDID cards remains shockingly high.
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Speaking to GPlus, a source in the Assam Health and Family Welfare Department explained the process involved in issuing these cards: "In various districts, there are civil or district hospitals where specialist doctors assess individuals with disabilities. Those found to have over 40% disability are eligible to receive a UDID card after the doctor’s approval. But our role is mostly technical; it’s actually the Social Justice Department’s responsibility to ensure that disabled people get these cards."
An official from the department told GPlus, "In Assam, 353,006 people applied for UDID cards, but only 208,196 cards have been generated." That means at least 144,810 people are still waiting to receive their cards.
"In Kamrup alone, the numbers show that out of 7,291 applicants, only 4,214 cards have been issued.", he said.
When asked why there is such a major gap, the official cited a combination of factors. "Many applications are incomplete or have been rejected due to various reasons. Additionally, there are not enough specialist doctors in many districts to assess the applicants. In some districts, there are only four or five specialists available. This shortage of doctors slows down the process significantly."
A source from Barpeta talking to GPlus said, "At least 500 people in our district are still waiting to receive assistance or appliances because they haven’t received their UDID cards yet"
Speaking to GPlus, a mother of a differently-abled child in Guwahati expressed her frustration over the lack of information and support. "We were never told about the UDID card or any benefits that come with it. I have heard from others that this card could help my child get the support he needs, but we have not received any communication or assistance from the Assam government. It is sad that, despite all the talk about helping people like us, we are still in the dark."
Despite these challenges, the government continues to encourage people to apply for the UDID cards online. A district disability board official talking to GPlus provided a step-by-step explanation of the process: “First, individuals need to register themselves at the official website, www.swavlambancard.gov.in. After submitting the online application, they will receive a copy of it, which they must take to their district civil hospital for verification. The hospital doctors will then calculate the percentage of disability, and if it’s above 40%, the individual will be approved for the UDID card.”
He also clarified that those with older disability cards will not be allowed to get the new UDID cards. "They must apply for new cards to access the benefits of the UDID system," he added.
However, this issue with delays in issuing UDID cards is only part of a broader problem facing persons with disabilities in Assam. Despite promises of inclusive education outlined in various national policies, disabled children in Guwahati continue to face major barriers to receiving an education.
National policies like the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act of 2016 lay down the framework for inclusive education in India. These policies emphasize the importance of ensuring that every child, regardless of disability, has access to education. Yet, in practice, disabled children in Assam are often left behind.
Earlier, Arman Ali, an advocate for disability rights, spoke to GPlus about the glaring gaps in the education system. “According to Article 21A of the Constitution, which guarantees education as a fundamental right, and Section 26 of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995, free and compulsory education must be provided to all children with disabilities up to the age of 18. Unfortunately, this is far from being fully implemented in Guwahati.”
Ali pointed out the lack of special educators as a major roadblock. "There is a severe shortage of teachers trained to educate children with disabilities in Guwahati. Even the assistive technologies that could make learning easier for these children are missing in most schools," he said.
He further explained the urgent need for schools to improve their infrastructure. "Inclusive education cannot be effective unless schools have the proper infrastructure to accommodate children with disabilities. This includes ramps, modified classrooms, and other essential facilities. But sadly, most schools in Guwahati do not have these amenities."
Despite the legal framework in place, Ali argues that there is little evidence to suggest that the government is taking its responsibilities seriously. “The central government provides financial assistance for disabled children through various schemes, but the state government isn’t utilizing these funds effectively,” he said. "If we are serious about investing in the future of persons with disabilities, it must start with education. But the Assam government is treating these schemes with far less urgency than they deserve."
A source from the Composite Regional Centre in Guwahati shed light on the shortage of special educators. “Under the ADIP Scheme, persons with disabilities are eligible for assistance, provided they have a 40% disability certificate. This scheme offers free appliances to aid their daily lives,” the source told GPlus. “But when it comes to education, there’s a serious lack of teachers trained in special education. This gap is contributing to the poor state of inclusive education in Assam.”
An official from the Samagra Shiksha acknowledged the issue, explaining that the program has been working to address the shortage of special educators. "We have daycare centers across Assam specifically designed for disabled children. In Kamrup Metro, for instance, there are two such centers. However, there are only 16 special educators in Kamrup Metro, serving over 1,400 disabled children. That’s far too few."
The official also discussed the challenges in recruiting teachers trained in special education. "To become a special educator, teachers must complete specific courses recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). But many teachers are reluctant to pursue these courses, possibly because there are not enough job opportunities for special educators."
In an effort to fill the gap, SSA has begun training regular teachers to support students with disabilities. “In 2023, we trained at least 10,000 regular teachers, and our goal for 2024 is to train another 18,000,” the official said. However, he admitted that this is not a long-term solution, as special education requires teachers with specific expertise.
Until the Assam government takes concrete steps to address these issues – from speeding up the issuance of UDID cards to ensuring that schools are equipped to support disabled students – the differently-abled community will continue to face unnecessary barriers. The question remains: when will the promises of inclusive education and access to essential services become a reality for Assam’s differently-abled population?
