ADIP Scheme for Hearing Impairment

ADIP Scheme for Hearing Impairment

Hearing loss is the most common sensory deficit in humans today. The major percentage of the population of India suffers from milder degrees of hearing loss and unilateral (one-sided) hearing loss. According to World Health Organization (2018) data, 63 million people suffer from a significant auditory loss in India.  The prevalence of hearing impairment in India is around 6.3% (Deafness and hearing loss (who.int) The estimated prevalence of childhood-onset deafness is 2% and adult-onset deafness in India is 7.6%.

The Government of India has regularly endeavored to offer the differently-abled persons with aids/appliances at minimum costs, to make them independent. Also, this helps to multiply their family revenue and underwrite the development process.

The necessity for the provision of essential aids and appliances to the differentially abled persons for their socio-economic and vocational rehabilitation came into major focus after the execution of the Persons with Disabilities Act (1995), which came into force in 1996. further, The Government of India introduced the scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/Appliances (ADIP) with effect from April 2005.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment implements the ADIP by providing grant-in-aid to the Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and other executive agencies of the Centre/State Governments.

1) Eligibility of the beneficiaries under ADIP Scheme

A person with a disability:

• It should be an Indian citizen of any age.
• Should be certified by a Registered Medical Practitioner that he/she is disabled and fit to use prescribed aid/appliance; holds a 40% Disablement Certificate.
• In the case of dependents, the income of parents/guardians should not exceed Rs. 20,000/- per month.
• Who have not received assistance from the Government, local bodies, and Non-Official Organizations during the last 3 years for the same purpose. However, for children below 12 years of age, this limit would be 1 year.
• Employed/self-employed or getting pension and whose monthly income from all sources does not exceed Rs 20,000/- per month.

2) Quantum of assistance

Aids/appliances which do not cost more than Rs. 10,000/ – are covered under the Scheme for a single disability. However, in the case of students with disabilities, for students beyond IX class, the limit is Rs.12,000/. In the case of multiple disabilities, the limit will apply to individual items separately in case more than one aid/appliance is required. The quantum of assistance and income limit under the ADIP scheme is as follows:

• For people with income of up to Rs. 15,000/- per month, the amount of assistance is full cost of aid/ appliance.
• For people with income of Rs. 15,001/- to Rs. 20,000/- per month, the amount of assistance is full cost of aid/appliance.
• 50% of the cost of aid/appliance

3) Documents required for registration

1. Disability certificate
2. Two passport size photographs of the client
3. Income Certificate from Revenue Agencies/ BPL Card/ MGNREGA Card
4. Disability Pension Card/ Certificate from M.P or MLA or Councillor or Gram Pradhan and failing which Notarized Affidavit
5. Authorized identity proof of beneficiaries (Photocopy of anyone)

4) Aids & Appliances for persons with hearing impairment

• Analogue Behind the Ear Hearing Aid

1. Mild Class Hearing Aid
2. Moderate Class Hearing Aid
3. Strong class Hearing Aid
4. Extra Strong Class Hearing Aid

• Digital Behind the Ear Hearing Head

1. Type II
2. Type III

• Trimmer Digital Behind the Ear Hearing Head

1. Type II
2. Type III

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment will recognize an institute of national stature from each zone to recommend children eligible under the scheme for a cochlear implant, with a ceiling of Rs. 6.00 lakh per unit to be borne by the Government. Ministry also identify suitable agencies for providing cochlear implants (500 children per year) under the scheme. The income ceiling for beneficiaries will be the same as for other aids/ appliances.

ADIP Scheme is one of the vital initiatives of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Various surveys conducted in the past show that India has, a large number of persons with disabilities. Many of them belong to low-income groups. Disability restricts their independence and opportunities for having functionally productive lifestyles.

With the help of an adequate hearing amplification device hearing loss in children, once they grow up can lead an  independent life if provided appropriate speech and language training. However, a major number of persons with disabilities do not have adequate funds to purchase them. As a result, they do not get the benefits of these aids. This is a growing concern.

So, the government continues the ADIP scheme and modifies it in such a way that it becomes more user-friendly and the needy are not deprived of adequate hearing aids. Proper management with the support of devices is essential for their socio-economic wellbeing and vocational rehabilitation. If they can achieve economic self-dependence, persons with disabilities can live and pursue their activities with self-esteem.

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