Re: [AI] Concerns regarding the exclusion of Persons with Disabilities from the SMILE scheme and gaps in social security support

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 10:53:08 -0700

Hi Sourabh,

 

Thank you for your question, and thank you Amiyo for the suggestion regarding an online petition.

 

I believe I touched upon the concern in my original post, but perhaps I did not articulate it strongly enough. My concern is not simply that persons with disabilities are not named under the SMILE scheme. Rather, it is that the scheme provides comprehensive rehabilitation, livelihood support, education, skill development, medical facilities, counselling, and economic linkages for the groups it targets, yet persons with disabilities, who also face significant barriers to social and economic inclusion, do not appear to benefit from a similar comprehensive framework under this scheme.

 

When we look at the reality on the ground, disability pensions vary from state to state and are often modest. Beyond that, many of us continue to face substantial out-of-pocket expenses related to disability, including assistive technology, specialised equipment, accessibility adaptations, transportation, healthcare needs, and in some cases personal support requirements. The larger question I am asking is: what meaningful support exists for a person with a disability, particularly in rural and remote India, to live independently and with dignity? Are adequate housing supports available? Are disability-related healthcare needs covered? Is there affordable access to assistive technology, both high-tech and low-tech? These are the gaps that prompted my original message.

 

Thank you, Amiyo, for suggesting the option of an online petition. I intend to explore that avenue over the weekend and would certainly appreciate the support of members of this mailing list and the wider community should such an effort move forward.

 

With regard to disability organisations, I believe they are best placed to determine the most effective advocacy strategy and, undoubtedly, are in a stronger position to engage policymakers and lobby for systemic change. I would prefer not to comment extensively on what is or is not being done, as I do not wish to discount the efforts many organisations and advocates have already made on behalf of the disability community, nor do I want to misrepresent their contributions.

My intent in raising this discussion is simply to start a conversation around whether our current social security and welfare frameworks adequately reflect the real costs and challenges associated with living with a disability, and whether there is scope for a more comprehensive and inclusive approach.



On 9 Sep 2026, at 1:15 PM, Sourabh Yadav <[email protected]> wrote:


Thank you for bringing this to our notice.

What are your thoughts on how it is exclusive to the disability community? Do you know any channels where we can protest this or bring it to the notice of the government again? 

Regards,
Sourabh Singh Yadav

On Wed, 9 Sept, 2026, 07:38 Amiyo Biswas, <[email protected]> wrote:
Online mass petition may be a good option. I have no idea how much the authorities pay atention to these petitions. But they help mobilise public opinion and support.
 
The best option is to approach the central government on behalf of leading organisations.

With best regards,
Amiyo Biswas
Cell: 6290527506
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 6:42 PM
Subject: [AI] Concerns regarding the exclusion of Persons with Disabilities from the SMILE scheme and gaps in social security support

Dear Access India Community,

 

I recently looked into the details of the central government’s SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) umbrella scheme. While it aims to provide comprehensive rehabilitation, education, skill development, and welfare support to specific vulnerable groups, it is concerning to note that persons with disabilities (PwDs) find no mention or inclusion within its framework.

 

Given that the disabled population in India represents one of the largest and most marginalized groups facing systemic barriers, social exclusion, and severe economic challenges, this exclusion is deeply troubling. Furthermore, when examining existing state-funded pension schemes and welfare frameworks, critical survival needs—such as adequate house rent support, specialized medical and assistive device expenses, and accessible accommodations—are routinely neglected or grossly underfunded.

 

How fair is it that persons with disabilities continue to be overlooked in comprehensive livelihood and social security policies? Should we collectively raise our voices to demand broader, inclusive, and rights-based provisions that address actual living costs, housing, and healthcare for the disabled community?

 

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and discussing how we might collectively address these critical gaps.

Link to the article for your reference: https://www.india.gov.in/spotlight/details/support-for-marginalized-individuals-for-livelihood-and-enterprise-smile

 

Warm regards,

Mister Kayne
Author: The Somebody, Nobody, Anybody & Everybody Blog!

SHOW LOVE | SHOP LOVE | Contact Me

 

 

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