The Government has launched India’s first cloud based IVRS toll-free ‘Disability Information Line’ (DIL) services for persons with disability. Persons with any of the 21 disabilities as classified under the Rights of persons with Disability Act 2016, can now call a single toll free number – 1800222014 – to seek any information related to their disability.
The toll-free number was launched at the inaugural function of the International Purple Fest in Goa. This is the first time that the Government has come up with a pan India toll free number for information on disability.
According to officials from the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, the helpline will provide information on 153 categories of subjects fed into the IVRS, related to information on the 21 disabilities and their prevention and management, educational opportunities, government schemes, etc. In case a query does not fall into one of these categories, the call will be transferred to an attendant for guiding the caller. The helpline will help bridge the gap emanating from the lack of awareness among people regarding schemes and measures required for early identification of disabilities which leads to delay in the rehabilitation process.
Launching the helpline, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Rajesh Aggarwal said, the new helpline aimed at using technology to integrate multiple helplines being run by different institutions under the Department for persons with disability.
The Department is also planning to introduce a five-digit number to assimilate the helpline and other facilities provided by other helplines under the Department. This number will address the concerns of persons with disability, including grievances and counselling and expert advice.
