One of the key objectives of the Department of Social Justice is to empower the persons with disabilities to the mainstream of society. The Central as well as the state governments are implementing various welfare schemes and programmes for ensuring that such marginalized population are leading a dignified life and their rights are protected. Chapter V Section (29) and Section (30) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 mandates to promote and protect the rights of all persons with disabilities to have a cultural life and to participate in recreational activities and also ensuring their effective participation in sporting activities.

In line with the provisions of the RPwD Act, 2016, the Department of Social Justice has devised a comprehensive scheme which provides financial assistance to persons with disabilities for participating in sporting events and support their travel expenses, food and accommodation. The objective of the scheme is to provide support to the exceptional sporting talents by encouraging them and help them to enhance their potential.  This scheme will boost and mainstream the persons with disabilities to accomplish great achievements and showcase their talents in State, National and International level competitions.

Objectives
1)    Ensure full participation of persons with disabilities along with others in sporting activities.
2)    Identify the exceptional sporting talents and support them to achieve success in State, National and International level competitions.
3)    Boost the confidence of PwD sporting talents. 
4)    Improve the physical and mental health of persons with disabilities by enhancing the opportunities in sporting activities.
5)    Ensuring financial assistance for participating in sporting events and support their travel expenses, food and accommodation.
6)    Ensure the self-sufficiency and social recognitions of PwD sports personnel.
 

State level competitions

Maximum financial assistance of Rs. 25,000/- will be provided to persons with disabilities participating in State level events organized by State government, government agencies, Sports Council and Youth welfare Board, etc. The amount can be used for meeting the travel, food and accommodation expenses along with the expense for one person accompanying the PwD and for other incidental expenses.

National level competitions

For persons with disabilities who are participating in National level competitions organized under government, other authorized agencies like Regional India Games, National Para Games, National School Games, etc a maximum amount of Rs. 50,000 will be provided. The amount will support the travel food and accommodation expenses incurred along with the expense for one person accompanying the PwD and for other miscellaneous needs.

International level competitions

For International level competitions organized by Government, authorized agencies like Paralympics, Asian Para Games, Common Wealth games, Special games, etc a maximum amount of Rs. 1 lakh will be provided to the persons with disabilities (including the person accompanying the PwD) for meeting the expenses incurred for travel, food, accommodation and other miscellaneous expenses.

Criteria
•    The applicant must possess benchmark disability (40 percent or more) as mandated in RPwD Act, 2016.
•    Priority will be given to affiliated events coming under Kerala Sports Council, and for sporting events affiliated under Olympics, Asian Games, National Games and Paralympics.
•    Assistance will be given for meeting the expenses of the person with disabilities and for one person accompanying the PwD.
•    Those PwD sports personnel who have received financial assistance from other government departments for the same purpose won’t be eligible to apply under this scheme.
 

Application submission

The application duly filled with necessary supporting documents has to be submitted to the Director of Social Justice.