Disability is Not a Weakness, but a Pillar of Society

Over 13,500 Differently-Abled Individuals in Solapur to Join the Mainstream through ‘Asmita Abhiyan’

In Solapur district, the ‘Divyang Asmita Abhiyan’—launched with the support of the District Administration and Zilla Parishad—is not just a campaign for issuing medical certificates but a transformative mission to instill self-respect, empowerment, and inclusion for the differently-abled. This initiative has opened access to 21 government welfare schemes for thousands of beneficiaries.

Campaign Objective & Background
Many differently-abled individuals face challenges accessing government schemes due to the lack of medical certification. To bridge this gap, the campaign was launched under the guidance of District Collector Kumar Aashirwad, in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, covering 21 categories of disabilities. Certification was linked with the UDID card issued by the central government.

Key Highlights:

• Campaign Period: August 19 – September 26, 2024
• Camps Conducted: 25
• Initial Beneficiaries Screened: 18,421
• Certificates Delivered at Home: 13,521 within 90 days

Special Focus:

• Mental & Intellectual Disabilities: IQ tests were conducted for 1,010 children in 11 blocks at 43 locations, with support from trained psychologists.
• Training Workshops: 3,742 stakeholders, including health officers, educators, ASHA workers, Anganwadi staff, and NGOs, received training across 16 workshops.

Support Materials Provided:

• UDID Card
• Railway Concession Certificate
• Information on Government Schemes
• Disability Rights Act Brief
• Congratulatory Letter & Feedback Postcard

Impact & Leadership:
Led by CEO Kuldeep Jangam, and supported by medical experts like Dr. Rutvik Jaykar, Dr. Suhas Mane, and NGOs such as Mitra Sanstha, the campaign was executed with seamless coordination. The home delivery of certificates has removed access barriers, allowing differently-abled individuals to live with dignity and access government benefits with ease.

This pioneering model is now a benchmark for inclusive governance in India.