Chandigarh, June 22: Chandigarh Administration has set up a helpline offering a host of services for differently abled persons. By dialing 1090 and 100, one can get to know about the special schemes for differently abled persons and for any assistance they may require under special project devised by the Chandigarh Administration. This was decided in a meeting convened by the Secretary Social Welfare Sh.Ram Niwas attended by SSP, UT, Director Social Welfare, Chandigarh and other senior officials of Chandigarh Administration.During the meeting, it was decided that there is an urgent need to start two dedicated help lines, one for police help and other for providing relevant information to disabled persons. Further it was also decided in order to encourage and motivate disabled persons by honouring them on important days like 26th January, 15th August and on Disability Day (3rd December) every year for any extra-ordinary works/achievements in any field. In order to spread awareness and involve the participation of disabled person in various activities, it was also decided to allot stall on the important events of Chandigarh Administration like Rose Festival, Chandigarh Carnival and others
As per the available 2001 Census figure, there are more that 15000 differently able person living in Chandigarh. The persons with disabilities (Equal opportunities, protection of Right and Full participation) Act 1995 aims at integrating the disabled persons in the mainstream society through their rehabilitation and empowerment. The Chandigarh Administration has been chalking out plans to provide them various facilities and privileges with a view to mitigate their problems and also to promote their human rights.