Rules, Rights & Rites -8- Order on Aids and Assistive Devices for PwD Employees
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Order on Aids and Assistive Devices for PwD Employees
• The Department of Posts (DoP) order dated 31-10-2025 forwards an Office Memorandum (OM) from the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) dated 22.09.2025 , concerning the provision of aids and assistive devices for employees with disabilities (PwDs) in Central Government Establishments under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
• The OM directs Central Government Establishments to provide necessary support to PwD employees, guided by the principles of reasonable accommodation.
• Provision is based on the DoPT OM dated 02.02.2024 , which stipulates that Ministries/Departments, their attached and subordinate offices, Central Public Sector Enterprises, Cantonment Boards, etc., should assist PwDs by providing high-tech/latest technology-led assistive devices.
• Good quality assistive devices should be provided to PwD employees to engage them to their full potential and benefit the government system.
• Entitlement to support must be guided by the principles of reasonable accommodation , defined as necessary and appropriate modification and adjustments without imposing a disproportionate or undue burden.
• The test of undue burden should be done on a case-by-case approach.
• No "one size fits all" criteria should be used for all employees with disabilities.
• DEPwD advised exploring devices to improve PwD employees' efficiency.
• The suggested devices include: motorized wheelchairs/tricycles, high-quality hearing aids, low vision assistive devices (including low vision aids), hearing aids with battery, special furniture, software scanners, computers, and other hardware, etc..
• The list is illustrative and not exhaustive and may include specific software/technology interventions like JAWS/NVDA, ORCA, head-mouse, magnification software, high quality prosthetics, text-to-speech software, etc., explored on a case-to-case basis.
• Provision of assistive devices can be made on a reimbursement basis, or the Department may choose to purchase and provide it to PwD employees.
• A reasonable limit of INR 10 lakhs may be placed on the cost of the said assistive devices every 3 years.
• Cases for replacement before 3 years, any additional device, or exceeding the INR 10 lakhs limit should be referred to DEPwD for comments.
• To avoid delay, the necessary reimbursement or purchase may be considered in the respective Department and allowed with the approval of the Secretary of the Department/Ministry.
• The level of sophistication required is to be decided by the Department concerned.
• Provisions should be identified in consultation with the employee and the concerned National Institutes under DEPwD. A review exercise shall be carried out every three years.
• Departments are urged to engage PwD employees in a productive manner by providing proper assistive devices, addressing the observation that some departments do not give meaningful work in anticipation of a deterioration of output.
• The Department of Posts requests that the contents of the DEPwD letter be disseminated to all concerned offices within the jurisdiction of the recipients for effective utilization of the services of employees with disabilities.
(DG (P) No. SC-12/18/2025-RC-DOP dated 31.10.2025)
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