Gharaunda: A Lifetime Home for Adults with Disabilities Scheme
- 1SpecialPlace
- Jul 30
- 3 min read
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities launched the Gharaunda-Group Home for Adults scheme, which aims to establish Gharaunda Centers or Registered Organizations (RO) for all Adult PwDs covered under the National Trust Act. These centers will provide basic medical care from qualified doctors along with adequate and quality care services and acceptable living standards.
What Is the Gharaunda Scheme?
“Gharaunda,” which means “nest” in Hindi, reflects the core purpose of the program to offer a secure, nurturing, and structured living environment for adults with autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, and multiple disabilities. The scheme was launched with the intent of establishing Gharaunda Centers or Registered Organizations (ROs) across the country that provide essential services for adult PwDs covered under the National Trust Act, 1999.
With assistance from the National Trust, New Delhi, the Group Home for Adults Intellectually Disabled (Gharaunda) is operating with 15 BPL beneficiaries. People with various disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disabilities can get housing and care services under this program for the duration of their lives. We offer respectable living standards along with sufficient and high-quality care services. Basic medical care, vocational and pre-vocational activities, and support for additional training are all included in this.
Core Objectives of the Scheme
The Gharaunda scheme aims to give people with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and multiple disabilities a guaranteed home and minimally good care services for the duration of their lives. It also makes sure that they have the following:
Encourage independent and dignified assisted living;
Facilitate the construction of the necessary infrastructure for the nation's assured care system
Offer care services in a sustainable manner.
Comprehensive Services Offered
Two units of lifetime care for MR and CP individuals, regardless of their age, caste, creed, or percentage of handicap, etc.
Both the State and the Central Government acknowledge it.
Therapy, education, and training are provided based on each person's needs.
Fully furnished with contemporary conveniences and features
Water that runs hot and cold all day
Attached restrooms with contemporary amenities
Facilities are offered based on each person's needs.
Long trip Three-monthly trips and monthly short trips
Available services include a school, a vocational training facility, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, etc.
Who Can Apply?
The Gharaunda scheme is open to adults with disabilities who meet the following eligibility criteria:
The individual must be 18 years or older.
Must have a certified disability under the National Trust Act, 1999, which includes:
Autism
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Intellectual Disability (previously referred to as mental retardation)
Multiple Disabilities
The scheme is inclusive of all castes, creeds, economic backgrounds, and does not discriminate based on the percentage of disability.
Eligibility for the PwD:
PwD needs to be older than 18.
According to the National Trust Act of 1999, PwD should have one of the following disabilities: multiple disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, or mental retardation.
Qualifications for a Registered Organization:
The applicant needs to have a National Trust registration.
When enrolling, the applicant must be currently registered under the PwD Act of 1995.
The group home site must either be owned by RO or be leased for a minimum of ten years with the option to renew.
ARO must have worked with people with disabilities (PwD) for at least two years, and they must have worked with one of the four disabilities listed in the National Trust Act for at least a year.
On the day the scheme enrolment form is submitted, RO shouldn't be placed on a blacklist by the National Trust or any other government agency.
Why Gharaunda scheme Matters
The significance of the Gharaunda scheme lies in the emotional and social security it offers to families of adult PwDs. One of the biggest concerns for any caregiver is, “What will happen to my child after me?” Gharaunda provides an answer to that worry.
By creating sustainable care homes, the scheme ensures that individuals with disabilities will always have a safe, respectful, and engaging place to live regardless of their family's ability to care for them in the long term. For parents and guardians, it brings peace of mind and confidence that their loved ones are in the hands of trained professionals within a loving and inclusive environment.
Moreover, by offering therapy, skill training, education, and recreational opportunities, Gharaunda homes encourage residents to participate in society meaningfully and grow into their fullest potential.
A Step Toward Inclusive India
The Gharaunda scheme is a commendable step toward building an inclusive and compassionate society. It recognizes that adults with disabilities deserve not just care, but also dignity, opportunities, and joy just like anyone else. As India continues to advocate for equal rights and inclusion, programs like Gharaunda will play a crucial role in transforming lives and creating a support system that lasts a lifetime.
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