Bengaluru, 30 May

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) on Friday launched four digital and technology missions to aid persons with disabilities in receiving government and societal services in the areas of education, healthcare, livelihood and everyday life. The department comes under the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

The missions are being implemented in collaboration with the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), the department said a statement.

Department Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal launched the Mission AI Accessibility, Implementation of AI in Assistive Technology and Tools for Empowering People with Disabilities, National Disability Support AI Chat Bot and Unified Benefits Interface – all modelled on the widespread and popular UPI financial technological tool – at the national conference on AI for Empowering Persons with Disabilities.

"We are extending this digital footprint for persons with disabilities by digitalising and automating a series of government benefits, schemes and policies, to reach beneficiaries within 24 hours in the areas of education, health, livelihood and finance," said Aggarwal, adding that differently-abled students will receive scholarships in their accounts in 24 hours from now on.