The Odisha government has launched an ambitious statewide survey to identify children with disabilities in the critical early childhood years. This comprehensive initiative aims to cover every child aged 0-6 years across all 30 districts of the state.
Comprehensive Coverage and Legal Mandate
The Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) department is spearheading this crucial project, which will encompass all 21 categories of disabilities recognized under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. According to Bhaskar Raito, additional secretary of the department, this survey will enable early identification, intervention, and rehabilitation of children with disabilities.
The initiative also fulfills the mandate of the Juvenile Justice Committee of the Orissa High Court, making it both a welfare measure and a legal requirement. The collected data will serve as critical input for child-specific interventions and help formulate district-level disability action plans.
Implementation Strategy and Timeline
The survey has been scheduled for completion within a tight 30-day timeframe. Anganwadi workers will be the frontline implementers, visiting households to gather detailed information about children's health, education, and disability status.
Each district has been allocated Rs 1 lakh for the exercise, with anganwadi workers receiving an incentive of Rs 500 each for their participation in this massive data collection drive.
Data Collection and Ethical Standards
Field-level workers will collect extensive information including personal and demographic details, type and degree of disability, health status, education background, therapy details, financial support received, welfare entitlements, and requirements for early intervention and mobility aids.
The department has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlining a structured process that includes training of trainers, household-level data collection, verification, and online data entry. Officials have emphasized strict adherence to ethical standards, ensuring confidentiality and dignity of families throughout the process.
The department has clearly stated that collected data shall be used solely for welfare purposes and policy formulation, addressing any privacy concerns that families might have.
Monitoring and Expected Outcomes
To ensure timely completion, weekly progress review meetings will be chaired by district collectors, while the department will monitor overall progress at the state level. All district and block-level officers have been directed to strictly adhere to the SOP and complete the survey within the stipulated 30 days.
This initiative will help plan and implement early childhood care and education, health, and social security programs specified under both the RPwD Act, 2016, and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The early identification approach is expected to significantly improve rehabilitation outcomes for children with disabilities across Odisha.
