Page 196 - economic review

SOCIAL SERVICE168

Ashwasakiranam

4.130 The scheme implemented by KSSM provides monthly assistance to the caregivers of severe
mentally challenged persons and bed ridden persons with severe physical disability. During the
current year upto September 2014, assistance was given to 60135 caregivers.

National Institute of Speech and Hearing (NISH)

4.131 The National Institute of Speech and Hearing was set up with the objective of rehabilitating the
hearing impaired persons in the State. The facilities available in NISH are detailed in www.nish.ac.in.
During 2013-14, NISH conducted 4088 audiological evaluations, 368 psychological evaluations
and 1135 speech evaluations. Transforming NISH as a National University for Disability Studies
& Rehabilitation Sciences is under the active consideration of the Government for ordinance and
approval of the Legislative Assembly.

State Commissionerate for Persons with Disabilities

4.132 The State Commissionerate was set up under the Act of Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 to
monitor the implementation of the Act and to redress the complaints of differently abled. The other
functions of the Commissionerate are conducting awareness camps, redressal of the complaints of
disabled persons, inspection of institutions for disabled, etc.

Kerala State Handicapped Persons Welfare Corporation

4.133 The Corporation is established for promoting and implementing the welfare schemes for
differenly abled persons. Provision of aids and appliances, self- employment scheme, financial
assistance to self- help groups, vocational training to SC/ST disabled persons, etc are the major
activities of the Corporation. In 2013-14, the Corporation assisted 5349 disabled persons.

Ex-Servicemen & War Widows Welfare

4.134 The Department of Sainik Welfare is looking after the welfare and rehabilitation of ex-
servicemen and their dependents. As on 30th March, 2014, there are 167077 ex-service men, 53426
widows and 295 war widows holding identity cards issued by the department. Financial assistance
to second world war veterans and their widows, construction of houses for disabled ex-servicemen,
computer training to ex-servicemen/widows/dependents for re-employment and self-employment are
the major activities. The computer training centres at Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Thrissur
rendered rehabilitation training to 153 persons.

Kerala State Planning Board