The A.P. Differently Abled & Senior Citizens Assistance Corporation, Andhra Pradesh, under its Action Plan 2017-18, has launched the “Sanctioning of Touch Phone to Hearing Challenged – Speech Impaired” scheme. This initiative is designed to provide touch phones to hearing challenged and speech impaired individuals who know sign language, thereby enhancing their communication abilities. The distribution of these touch phones is managed by the Assistant Directors of the Department for the Welfare of Differently Abled & Senior Citizens and the District Managers of the A.P. Differently Abled & Senior Citizens Assistance Corporation.
Benefits
- Touch Phone Distribution:
- Category I: For applicants with a parent/guardian income up to ₹15,000 per month – the full cost is covered.
- Category II: For those with a parent/guardian income from ₹15,001 to ₹20,000 per month – half of the cost is covered.
- Category III: For those with a parent/guardian income above ₹20,000 per month – the beneficiary bears the full cost.
Eligibility
- Age:
The applicant must be 18 years of age or older. - Disability:
The applicant should be hearing challenged and speech impaired. - Communication Skills:
The applicant must know sign language and be able to communicate directly with others (at least two individuals). - Video Relay Service (VRS):
The applicant should be capable of using VRS to facilitate communication with non-signing individuals, with an interpreter acting as the intermediary. - Applicant Profile:
The scheme is open to individuals who are:- Students,
- Self-Employed, or
- Unemployed.
Application Process
Online Process
- Visit the Official Website:
- Navigate to the website and click on “Online Applications” on the home page.
- Select Scheme Category:
- Choose “Click here to apply for differently abled schemes” and then select “Apply Online” with respect to the Touch Phone scheme.
- Registration:
- If you are not already registered, answer “No” to the registration question and fill in your Aadhaar card name, Aadhaar number, mobile number, and email ID.
- Create a new password and click “Register” to obtain your registration number.
- Login:
- Once registered, click on “Login” using your email/mobile number and password.
- Select the category “Click here to apply for differently abled schemes” again.
- Complete Application Form:
- Fill out the application form with your personal, employment, and disability details.
- Click “Submit” to finalize your application.
Documents Required
- Self-Declaration:
A declaration stating that the applicant has not received a touch phone in any other district. - Income Certificate.
- Saderam/Disability Certificate.
- Aadhaar Card.
- Mobile/Cell Number.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Who is eligible to receive a touch phone under this scheme?
Hearing challenged and speech impaired individuals aged 18 and above who know sign language and meet the income criteria. -
What documents are required to apply for a touch phone?
Self-declaration (confirming non-receipt in any other district), Income Certificate, Saderam/Disability Certificate, Aadhaar Card, and Mobile/Cell Number. -
How often can an individual receive a touch phone under this scheme?
The scheme is designed to provide a touch phone to eligible individuals; details on replacement frequency or additional grants are specified in the guidelines. -
Who is responsible for distributing the touch phones?
The Assistant Directors of the Department for the Welfare of Differently Abled & Senior Citizens and the District Managers of the A.P. Differently Abled & Senior Citizens Assistance Corporation oversee the distribution. -
What measures are in place to prevent double or false claims?
The requirement of a self-declaration and the verification process during application help prevent duplicate or false claims. -
Can the touch phone be transferred to another person?
The scheme is intended for the individual applicant, and transfer of the device is not permitted. -
Is there an application deadline for receiving a touch phone?
Applicants should refer to the official guidelines on the website for specific deadlines. -
What happens if the touch phone is damaged or requires maintenance?
Guidance on maintenance or replacement policies is provided in the scheme guidelines on the official website. -
How is the touch phone distributed to the beneficiary?
Distribution is managed by the respective Assistant Directors and District Managers through the established channels. -
How is the cost of the touch phone determined for different income groups?
- For families with income up to ₹15,000 per month, the full cost is covered.
- For those with income between ₹15,001 and ₹20,000 per month, half of the cost is covered.
- For families with income above ₹20,000 per month, the beneficiary bears the full cost.