Disha - Early Intervention and School Readiness Scheme
Disha Scheme offers early intervention services for children with disabilities aged 0-10 years.
Key facts
| Services | Day care, therapies and counselling for the child, plus support for family members |
|---|---|
| Who | Children aged 0–10 with disabilities recognised under the National Trust Act, from poor households |
| Not for | Children already registered under the Samarth scheme |
| Assessment | A PwD assessment test at the Disha Centre |
| By | Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (National Trust) |
| Apply | In person at a Disha Centre or a registered organisation |
| Application window | Enrol any time — visit a Disha Centre with the child and the documents. There is no application window; the centre assesses the child and enrols them. |
Benefits
Beneficiaries receive day care, therapies, and counselling services tailored to their needs. Support is also provided to family members to aid in the child's development.
Full guide
What the scheme gives you
Early intervention makes an enormous difference for a child with a disability. Disha — a scheme of the National Trust, under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities — provides early-intervention and school-readiness services for children aged 0 to 10 with disabilities: day care, therapies and counselling tailored to the child, along with support for family members so they can help the child develop. The focus is the crucial early years, before and around the start of schooling.
Who can apply
The scheme is for young children with disabilities. You are eligible if:
- The child is aged 0 to 10 years
- The child has a disability recognised under the National Trust Act (e.g. autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual or multiple disabilities)
- The family is from a poor household
- The child is not already registered under the Samarth scheme
How to apply
Enrolment is in person. Visit a Disha Centre (or a registered organisation) with the child and the documents, fill the enrolment form, and let the centre conduct a PwD assessment test. If eligible, you choose between school or the Disha Centre for ongoing support; after verification the centre issues an ID card and a starter kit, and services begin.
Documents you need
- Enrolment form (from the centre)
- Child’s birth certificate and disability certificate
- Income certificate
- Guardian’s ID proof and local residence proof
Who can apply
- Age 0–10
- poor household
Children aged 0 to 10 years with disabilities recognized under the National Trust Act can apply. Families must also belong to a poor household, and those registered under the Samarth scheme are excluded.
Who is not eligible
- Children outside the 0–10 age group
- Children whose disability is not recognised under the National Trust Act
- Children already registered under the Samarth scheme
How to apply
Applications must be made in person at a Disha Centre or a registered organization.
- Visit a Disha Centre with the child and required documents.
- Complete the enrolment form provided at the centre.
- Undergo a PwD assessment test conducted by the centre.
- If eligible, choose between school or Disha Centre for further support.
- Submit the enrolment form along with necessary documents for verification.
- Upon successful verification, receive an ID card and starter kit from the Disha Centre.
Documents required
- Enrolment form
- Birth Certificate or Date of Birth proof of the PwD
- Disability Certificate
- BPL certificate or Income certificate of Parent or Guardian
- ID proof of parent or guardian
- Residence (Local) proof
Common problems and how to fix them
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Which disabilities qualify | Disabilities recognised under the National Trust Act — such as autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability and multiple disabilities. A disability certificate is needed. |
| Already under Samarth | A child registered under the Samarth scheme cannot also enrol in Disha — choose the one that fits your need. |
| Where to go | Visit a Disha Centre or a registered organisation with the child; the centre conducts the assessment and enrolment. |
| What you get on enrolment | After a successful assessment and verification, the centre issues an ID card and a starter kit, and the child begins receiving services. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the Disha Scheme?
The Disha Scheme focuses on early intervention for children with disabilities aged 0-10, providing therapies and support to families.
Who launched the Disha Scheme?
The scheme was launched by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
What services are provided under the Disha Scheme?
Services include day care, therapies, counselling, and support for daily living activities for children with disabilities.
What documents are needed for enrolment?
Required documents include an enrolment form, birth certificate, disability certificate, income certificate, ID proof of the guardian, and local residence proof.
Can children already registered under the Samarth scheme apply?
No, children registered under the Samarth scheme are not eligible for the Disha Scheme.
How is the assessment conducted for eligibility?
The Disha Centre conducts a PwD assessment test to determine the child's suitability for the program.
What does Disha provide?
Free early-intervention services — day care, therapies and counselling — for children aged 0–10 with disabilities, and support for their families.
Who is eligible?
Children aged 0–10 with a disability recognised under the National Trust Act, from poor households.
Can a child under Samarth apply?
No — children registered under the Samarth scheme are not eligible for Disha.
How is eligibility assessed?
Through a PwD assessment test at the Disha Centre.
How do I apply?
In person at a Disha Centre or a registered organisation, with the child and documents.
Always confirm the latest details on the official portal before applying.
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