To me, there are lot of information gaps on this topic
While I had posted on the topic earlier, am posting afresh based on
changes post RPWD and difficulties faced by parents . It is with a
disclaimer that this is my limited understanding of the certificate and the
certification process, which may vary from state to state.
It is also sad that despite there being clear Government of India
Guidelines, a lot is left to be desired at the implementation level.
Further many parents have not empowered themselves and have not gone
through the guidelines
HISTORY OF DISABILITY CERTIFICATE
Before passage of the RPWD (Rights of People with Disabilities Act), Autism
was technically not recognized as a disability (nor were CP and Downs).
Only seven disabilities were covered by PWD act 1995.
Luckily Autism was given some recognition by passing of National Trust Act
1999, where Autism (alongwith MR, CP and multiple disabilities) was
recognized and NT set up as an autonomous body
We had a quixotic situation where autism was not a disability, when it was
reaching epidemic proportions abroad
WHY DISABILITY CERTIFICATE
To me the main advantages are
- Concessions in School Exams (NIOS, CBSE, ICSE and most state boards
provide this. Sadly at a nascent stage in college i.e. graduation)
- Income Tax Concessions (Though you can get this even without a disability
certificate, based on certification by a neurologist from a Government
Hospital)
- Concession in train travel (75% concession to the person and his escort,
upto 3 ac, 50% in 2 ac and 1 ac). NOW THIS IS A GREY AREA. AS PER MY
INTERPRETATION OF THE RAILWAY RULES THIS IS ONLY FOR MR CASES AND NOT FOR
AUTISM. WE NEED A CAMPAIGN TO GET IT FOR AUTISM
- 1% reservation in Government jobs as per RPWD Act (though this
reservation is a sub-quota of the 4% reservation for PWD is clubbed with
LD, MR and MD). THE RPWD PROVISIONS ARE APPLICABLE ONLY IF DISABILITY IS
40%
- 5% Reservation in higher studies in Government Universities (combined for
all PWDs)
- ADVOCACY- God forbid if our kids do anything untoward- shoplifting or
inappropriate touching, this certificate will be a kawach for kids who bear
not physical features, as is the case of many kids with autism
- Preferential allotment in DDA or Government housing in many parts
Till 25th April 2016, there were no norms for certification for autism.
Thus the doctors used to give a certification only for Mental Retardation
MR (as it is still called by many including National Trust, though
euphemism for the same is intellectual disability)
This meant that any kid with autism with a measured IQ above 70 was not
entitled to any disability certificate.
So most of the disability certificates prior to April 2016 just had MR (In
many cases parents insisted on autism being written alongside MR, some
doctors apparently obliged some did not)
Today you have two scenarios. Hospitals who are aware about April 20161
autism guidelines are giving the certificate based on ISAA or INCLEN
Or
Hospitals which are still following old MR certification and are blissfully
unaware of April 2016 guidelines
Btw hospitals who are following ISAA, and April guidelines are now
apparently giving two certifications, one for MR and one for Autism.
Though most parents bristle at the thought of “MR” or “Paagal” world {as
they (presumably ) feel that autism is > MR}, if I had a choice I would the
MR certification if the hospital is willing to give it (norm being IQ below
70). As seen from the table above, MR has the critical railway concession
extra. (I do not think most kids with autism can travel unescorted on
train, and in this autism journey which needs deep pockets, every rupee
counts if one is entitled to it of course)
