‘Anpu’ campaign to mainstream persons with intellectual disability

The Social Justice department is rolling out a special intensive campaign for mainstreaming persons with intellectual disability (ID).

The ‘Anpu’ project, which is being implemented as part of efforts to make the State disabled friendly, will create awareness in society about intellectual disability and make interventions to address the difficulties faced by the intellectually challenged.

Various programmes will be implemented and services provided to the intellectually challenged as part of the project. These include their education, skill development, and improving their employability.

Services such as conducting camps for providing Unique Disability ID (UDID) card and taking steps to address cases related to legal guardianship of the intellectually challenged through adalats will be provided through Anpu. It envisages visits to their houses by National Service Scheme volunteers to create awareness of and ensure access to programmes developed for them. It will adopt a rights-based approach to ensure they are not isolated in society.

Self-help groups (SHGs) will be formed under Kerala State Differently Abled Welfare Corporation Ltd. to provide support for persons with ID so that they gain confidence about their abilities to lead self-sufficient and productive lives. These SHGs will provide a platform for marketing of products made by those with ID and a venue to showcase their creativity.

Minister for Social Justice R. Bindu, in a message, said the campaign will help bring about a change in social attitudes towards the differently abled and provide them assistive mechanisms and support.

A handbook containing schemes and services of the government will also be made available as part of Anpu.