Rights: The government has made it mandatory for all states and union territories to issue disability certificates online. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment issued a gazette notifying this rule.
According to a press release issued by the ministry, it is “mandatory for all States/UTs to grant certificate of disability through online mode only using UDID portal with effect from June 1. States/UTs have been advised for compliance”.
UDID refers to the Unique Disability ID portal initiated by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. It aims to provide an integrated system for issuance of universal identity and disability certificates for person with disabilities.
There has been a demand for online certificates for a while now as people with disabilities were unable to get certificates due to the restrictions during the COVID-19 lockdown. These certificates are a prerequisite for people with disabilities to avail benefits under various government schemes.
Read this article to know how COVID-19 has further marginalised people with disabilities.
