The Gharaunda-Group Home for Adults scheme, launched by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, aims to establish Gharaunda Centres or Registered Organisations (ROs) to provide lifelong, quality care services for adult persons with disabilities (PwDs) covered under the National Trust Act. The scheme ensures that beneficiaries receive an assured home with acceptable living standards, including access to basic medical care provided by professional doctors. It is designed to support individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and multiple disabilities by facilitating a sustainable care environment that promotes assisted living with independence and dignity.
Benefits
- Assured Home & Quality Care:
- Lifelong shelter with a guaranteed home.
- Provision of minimum quality care services including basic medical care by professional doctors.
- Enhanced Living Standards:
- Infrastructure that supports acceptable living conditions.
- Vocational & Training Support:
- Opportunities for vocational and pre-vocational activities.
- Assistance for further training to improve livelihood and independence.
Eligibility
For Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)
- Age Criterion:
- The PwD must be more than 18 years of age.
- Disability Condition:
- Must have one of the disabilities under the National Trust Act, 1999, namely Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, or Multiple Disabilities.
For Registered Organisations (ROs)
- Registration:
- The applicant must be registered with the National Trust and possess a valid registration under the PwD Act, 1995 at the time of enrolment.
- Land Requirement:
- The group home land should be either owned by the RO or be under a lease for at least 10 years with a provision for renewal.
- Experience:
- The RO should have a minimum of 2 years of experience working with PwDs, with at least one year of experience in managing one of the four disabilities under the National Trust Act.
- Compliance:
- The RO should not be blacklisted by the National Trust or any other Government Organization at the time of scheme enrolment.
Application Process
Enrolment of PwD at the Gharaunda Centre (Offline/Online)
- Arrival:
- The PwD is either brought to or arrives at the Gharaunda Centre.
- Individual Assessment:
- A therapist or counsellor conducts an individual assessment test to determine the specific needs of the PwD.
- Certification & Enrolment:
- For orphaned, abandoned, or PwDs from families in crisis, the RO certifies and enrolls the PwD. Such cases are automatically considered as BPL and enrolled for Niramaya health insurance.
- Funding Verification:
- For other cases, eligibility for LIG or BPL funding is checked based on information provided by the RO, subject to verification.
- Documentation & Application:
- Parents or guardians fill out the enrolment form, submit the necessary documents, and pay the application fee if required.
- Verification & ID Issuance:
- After successful verification, the PwD is enrolled at the Gharaunda Centre, issued an ID card, provided with a starter kit, and given further details by Gharaunda representatives.
- Health Insurance Registration:
- Gharaunda representatives also provide information about the Niramaya health insurance scheme, and registration under Niramaya is confirmed by certification from the parents or guardians.
Documents Required
For Enrolment of the PwD
- Enrolment Form:
- Fully filled enrolment form.
- Proof of Age:
- Birth certificate or any document verifying the date of birth of the PwD.
- Disability Certification:
- A valid disability certificate issued by a competent authority.
- Economic Proof:
- BPL certificate or an income certificate of the parent or guardian, issued by the competent authority as designated by the concerned State/Union Territory (for LIG or BPL families).
- Identity Proof of Guardian:
- ID proof of the parent or guardian.
- Legal Guardianship (LG) Certificate:
- In case parents are not the guardians, an LG certificate is required; or if the PwD is over 18 and the parents are not the guardians.
For Enrolment of the Registered Organisation (RO)
- Eligibility Documents:
- Documents that verify the RO meets the eligibility criteria.
- Property Documents:
- Address proof, title deed/ownership certificate, or lease deed of the group home land.
- Bank Details:
- Information including bank account number, account holder’s name, bank name, branch, and IFSC code.
- Registration Validity:
- Registration certificate of the RO under the PwD Act, 1995 with issue and expiry dates.
- Self-Declaration by RO:
- A self-declaration covering:
- Existing facilities and infrastructure.
- Current activities and programmes being undertaken.
- Details of staffing (qualifications and experience).
- A scheme proposal outlining:
- Staffing requirements (e.g., special educators, therapists, caregivers, support staff over a two-month period).
- Infrastructure needs (e.g., activity rooms, vocational rooms, recreation rooms, medical rooms, lodging, kitchen, office space, with an indicative timeline of one month).
- Disability provisions such as accessible premises, toilets, appropriate furniture, and fixtures.
- A self-declaration covering:
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Which department has launched the Gharaunda scheme?
The scheme is launched by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. -
What are the main benefits of this scheme?
It provides an assured home, quality care services including medical support, and opportunities for vocational training and further education, ensuring a dignified life for PwDs. -
From where can PwDs access these facilities?
Facilities are available at designated Gharaunda Centres or through Registered Organisations (ROs) under the scheme. -
What is the main objective of the scheme?
To ensure lifelong assured care and quality services for adult PwDs, promoting assisted living with independence and dignity. -
What would be the batch size in a Gharaunda Centre?
The scheme is designed to provide individualized care; however, specific batch sizes may vary based on the Centre’s infrastructure and capacity. -
What are the other benefits of the scheme?
Besides assured shelter and care, the scheme also supports vocational and pre-vocational activities, and provides assistance for further training. -
Who will be covered under this scheme?
Adult PwDs (above 18 years) with disabilities such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, or Multiple Disabilities covered under the National Trust Act, 1999. -
What is the enrolment process for PwDs at the Gharaunda Centre?
The process involves an initial arrival and assessment, followed by documentation, certification by the RO, and final enrolment with issuance of an ID card and starter kit. -
How is the scheme beneficial to the family of the PwD?
By providing a stable and assured living environment and care services, the scheme alleviates the long-term burden on families and enhances the overall quality of life for PwDs. -
What documents are required for enrolment?
Documents include the enrolment form, proof of age, disability certificate, BPL/income certificate, identity proof of the guardian, and, if applicable, an LG certificate. -
How to find the nearest Gharaunda Centre?
Information regarding the nearest Gharaunda Centre can be obtained from the official guidelines or by accessing the list of registered centres provided by the department.