Introduction

The Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) Welfare Department was formed as an independent department on 15th December 2022 with an aim at implementing various schemes for the welfare of persons with disabilities. As per Census 2011, there are 29,63,392 persons with disabilities in Maharashtra and it was 2.63% of the then total population of Maharashtra State and covered 7 disabilities at that time as mentioned below –

S. No.	Particular	Male	Female	Total
1	Total number of PWDs in Maharashtra	16,92,285	12,71,107	29,63,392
2	In Seeing	3,11,835	2,62,217	5,74,052
3	In Movement	3,57,348	1,91,070	5,48,418
4	Any Other	2,79,048	2,31,688	5,10,736
5	In Speech	2,60,792	2,12,818	4,73,610
6	In Hearing	2,64,956	2,08,315	4,73,271
7	Multiple Disability	94,991	69,352	1,64,343
8	Mental Retardation	90,408	69,801	1,60,209
9	Mental Illness	32,907	25,846	58,753

We support (by formulating schemes) individuals – both young and old – with physical, intellectual, sensory, and developmental disabilities, focusing on maximizing their potential and helping them be a part of mainstream society.

As per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, the types of disabilities can be classified under 21 heads. To name a few, these include persons with Visual, Hearing, Speech & Locomotive disability, Mental Retardation, Mental Illness and Multiple Disability.

We provide a range of specific services to the differently abled. Services range from promoting the acquisition of Unique Disability ID to rehabilitation; from encouraging education and enabling job creation/ employment opportunities to creating an overall inclusive society.