Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card: Know How to Apply?

A UDID ID card, also known as a unique disability identity card, is an initiative by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and the Government of India. The project advocates transparency and hassle-free delivery of government benefits to those with disability. If you are someone suffering from disabilities, you can apply for a UDID ID card and use it for prevailing government benefits.

• Understanding the card: issued by the Government of India, a UDID card streamlines the availability of benefits for disabled Indian citizens.
• Importance of a unique disability identity card: To generate a national database of disabled individuals in India
• Application process of a UDID id card: Visit the official UDID portal and follow easy steps for a quick completion of the form
• Benefits stemming from a unique disability identification card: Ensures you can readily avail government benefits, concessions, and privileges reserved for you
• Eligibility criteria and types of unique disability ID: As per the Persons with Disabilities Act of 1995, you are eligible for a card only if you fall under the list of specific disabilities.
• Impact of the UDID project: promotes an efficient and transparent delivery of government benefits to people with disabilities.

A UDID disability card, also known as a unique disability identification card, is a one-of-a-kind ID for those with disabilities. It streamlines the availability of benefits offered by the Government of India and tracks the implementation of these financial projects at the Village level, Block level, District level, State level, and National level.A unique disability ID includes your unique ID number, disability-related information, and personal details. It aims to build an end-to-end integrated process of the issuance of a Universal ID & Disability certificate along with your verified identity and disability details.

Also read: Everything You Need to Know About the ECHS 64kb Smart Card

Here are some of the reasons why the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and the Government of India launched a unique disability ID India:

• Centralised web application and online data availability of people with disabilities in India.
• Non-repetition of PwDs data
• Easy online filing and submitting the application form. You can also submit an offline application digitised by government-registered agencies.
• A speedy assessment process for calculating the disability percentage by hospitals.
• Update information and online renewal of information by people with disabilities or on their behalf.
• Successful and transparent management of the benefits and schemes implemented by the Government for Persons with Disability (PwD).
• To ensure additional disabilities are taken care of, as per new government acts.
• A UDID ID card is functional throughout India, across all states and union territories.

Note: Under the new UDID regime, there is no difference between a disability ID card and an UDID card. A certificate of disability and unique disability identification cards are issued to you by competent medical specialists, who issue an ID card using details from disability certificates. Once issued, the respective state government or union territory is notified of relevant services implemented for disabled individuals.

Whether you choose to apply for a disability ID on your own, or get someone on your behalf, follow these steps:

1. Visit the official UDID portal
2. Click on ‘Apply for Disability Certificate and UDID’
3. Fill in your personal, employment, identity, and disability details
4. Upload documents as mentioned on the website and submit

Download your E-UDID card

1. To download your e-UDID card, visit the homepage of the official website and enter your login details.
2. Click on e-disability card and find the E-UDID link
3. Enter enrolment number, birthdate and captcha code to download.
4. You can also use your smartphone to download the e-disability ID card and e-UDID card.

Track application status

1. Find the official UDID website
2. Click on the tab ‘application status’
3. Use your reference number from the application to login
4. Enter captcha code or a security question
5. Once all details are verified, click on ‘check status’
6. The page will show your UDID card application status stage.

A unique disability identification card offers a host of benefits for people with disabilities. Some of them are:

• It provides a unique identification number to separate disabled individuals to maintain personal records.
• The card includes detailed information about the type and extent of disability. It allows the authorities to offer better services suited to your needs.
• The UDID card gives you quick and easy access to a variety of services intended for people with disabilities, offered by both government and non-government agencies.
• You can register for the UDID ID card online, helping you save time and ensuring the application process is accessible to all who need it.
• An up-to-date centralised database creates a systematic delivery of services for people with disabilities.
• Owning a UDID card ensures you can readily avail of government benefits, concessions, and privileges reserved for you.
• A unique disability ID India, works as a verification tool when accessing disability-related services or benefits.
• An all-in-one card, the UDID keeps all your information in one place. You do not need to carry separate documents when you apply for different benefits enforced for people with disabilities.
• The card contributes to creating an all-inclusive environment for people with disabilities, fostering a community that supports the financial and physical well-being of all.

As per the Persons with Disabilities Act of 1995, you are eligible for a card only if you fall under the list of specific disabilities. These are:

• Blindness: You can suffer from the following symptoms: total blindness, visual acuity lower than 6/60 or 20/200 in the better eye with corrective lenses, 20 degrees or lower sight in the field of vision
• Low vision: Impaired vision despite receiving refractive treatment.
• Cerebral palsy: A non-progressive condition where you exhibit abnormal motor control due a result of brain damage incurred during pregnancy, perinatal or early infant period.
• Mental retardation: A condition where mental growth is incomplete and is reflected by below average intelligence.
• Mental illness: Any mental condition excluding mental retardation.
• Hearing impairment: A loss of 60 decibels or more in the good ear within the range of frequencies used for conversation.
• Leprosy cured: You have been cured of leprosy but still have sensory loss in hands, feet, eyes and eyelids. Manifest deformity and paresis where you have adequate mobility to engage in normal activities. Extreme physical deformity that prevents you from undertaking any occupation.
• Locomotor disability: Any type of cerebral palsy that limits the movement of the limbs, joints, bones, or muscles.

The three types of cards available for unique disability ID India are:

There are two of validity offered for a UDID card:

Permanent UDID:

It is issued when there is no chance of progress in the disability of a person.

Temporary UDID:

It is issued when the medical authority sees progress or regress in the disability of a person. Also read: Senior Citizenship Card - What Is It?

Implementing a UDID card in India is a move that promotes an efficient and transparent delivery of government benefits to people with disabilities. This comprehensive database of PwD ensures uniformity in an all-inclusive society, where disabled citizens of the country have the power to reap benefits due to their physical, mental, and emotional lacks. A paperless card, which also serves as a verification ID for disabled individuals, also prevents the misuse of government funds at various bureaucratic levels.