1 Nov 25, 2014 Vigyan Bhawan New Delhi International Conference “ From Exclusion to Empowerment: The Role of ICTs for PwDs” November, 2014 Use of ICTs in the Office of CCPD and RCI T. D. Dhariyal Dy. Chief Commissioner O/o CCPD Govt. of India

Structure of the Presentation  Functions of O/o CCPD and RCI  Use of ICTs in Grievance Redressal in the O/o CCPD  Use of ICTs for officials with disabilities in the O/o CCPD  Use of ICTs in processing applications for conducting courses and registration in RCI  Accessible Resource Portal of RCI  Use of ICTs in Digitalization of Records 2

Functions of CCPD and RCI  CCPD  Take steps to safeguard the rights and facilities made available to persons with disabilities.  Look into complaints relating to deprivation of rights of PwDs.  Monitor utilization of funds. Since inception (Sept. 1998) up to 31 st Oct 2014, the office has registered a total of 28,117 complaints and disposed of 26,387. Out of these 10,399 complaints were registered in the 30 Mobile Courts in 17 States.  RCI  Approve courses of study conducted by universities and institutions in India and out side India for rehabilitation professionals.  Regulate the training of rehabilitation professionals.  Maintain a Central Rehabilitation Register of professionals.  Promote research in Rehabilitation and Special Education. 3

Use of ICTs in the O/o CCPD  Redressal of grievances of PwDs  Website of CCPD and RCI are WCAG compliant.  The grievances of PwDs in the PG Portal and the complaints received in the O/o the CCPD are registered in the Centralized Monitoring Information System (CMIS).  An auto generated case number is allotted to the complaint which is taken up with the concerned authority.  Complainant is informed (through , if available).  The complainant can track the status of his complaint in the website  The officials of the O/o CCPD can also check/ monitor the status of each complaint and generate various reports.  On disposal of a complaint, the case file is digitalized.  Option of hearing the complainants on phone/webcam. 4

Use of ICTs in the O/o CCPD  Use of ICTs by employees with disabilities in O/o CCPD  Provision and use of screen reading software.  Extensive use of for communication.  Use of Braille embosser for conversion in Braille.  Use of Electronic note taker.  Provision of orders in accessible format 5

Use of ICTs in RCI  Applications for Conducting RCI approved courses and registration of rehabilitation professionals  Application for conducting RCI approved courses and for registration of rehabilitation professionals/renewal of registration/addition to qualification are made online.  The applicant gets a provisional registration number on successful submission.  Status of the application can be tracked online.  Provision for downloading the certificate online by the applicant on approval by the authority is under process.  Certificates for participating in the programmes of Continuing Rehabilitation Education (CRE) are generated online. 6

Use of ICTs in RCI  An accessible resource Portal and e-learning Courses  An accessible resource portal ( containing information on disability issues is being maintained.  Online Courses: Foundation Course on Education of Children with Disabilities Foundation Course on Education of Children with Learning Disabilities. 7

Challenges  Need to address the digital divide.  Absence of proper ICT systems with State Commissioners and Zonal Committees of RCI.  5As : to make ICT available, accessible, adaptable, affordable, acceptable.  Need to make some important Govt. websites accessible on priority basis.  Challenge posed by Touch Screen mobile phones & I PADs with touch screen features. 8

Challenge – How to reach the bottom of the pyramid? Access to ICTs Ratio BOP PwDs

Office of Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Department of Disability Affairs Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Sarojini House, 6 Bhagwan Dass Road, New Delhi – (India) Tel: , Fax: Website: