Dyslexia, autism to be included in new Bill on disability: Govt

The government is in the process of bringing a new Bill in the ongoing Budget session to include dyslexia and autism as disability and increase the number of categories under the Diabilities Act from seven to 19, Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.

“Dyslexia is not included in the categorised diabilities under the Act. We have prepared a new draft Bill, where the number of disability categories are being sought to be increased from the present seven to 19. This will include dyslexia, down syndrome, autism etc,” Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot said.

He added: “An inter-ministerial sub-group has been set up under the chairmanship of Home Minister Rajnath Singh, which is likely to meet again later this month. Our attempt is to have 19 categories of diabilities to be included in the Act so that all get the benefits. We are trying to bring this new Bill in the second part of the current session.” He said the government has also set up committees of doctors and state ministers to identify disabilities like dyslexia and treat it early.