CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government has announced financial assistance of up to 50 per cent, or up to Rs 30,000, for the purchase of AI-based assistive devices for Persons with Disabilities. Subsequently, the Welfare of Differently-Abled Department was allotted Rs 1,485 crore in the State budget.

Not covered under the existing assistive devices distribution scheme, the government has announced financial assistance of up to 50 per cent of the cost of equipment, or a maximum of Rs 30,000, for purchasing modern AI-based assistive devices.

Through this, beneficiaries can purchase sports prosthetic legs, myoelectric signal operated upper limb prostheses, other high-end assistive devices and cochlear implant batteries.

Additionally, the government has announced 'Nambikkai Illam' (trust homes) for persons with intellectual disabilities. In the first phase, the homes will be established in Thanjavur, Tiruvannamalai, Salem, Cuddalore and Virudhunagar districts.

These institutions will provide special education, early intervention services, rehabilitation and vocational training to children aged 3 years and above. In the initial stage, each institution will function as a day school with 50 students, later being upgraded to include residential facilities. For this, Rs 4 crore has been allocated.

An activist working on the rights of the differently-abled said, "We welcome the subsidy for purchase of assistive devices. However, we have placed a set of demands to the government and anticipate that to be addressed in the coming months."