Advocacy

Nethrodaya strongly believes that vibrant advocacy is the need of the hour to bring about real changes in the lives of differently abled persons. Standing its ground and consistently fighting for them, Nethordaya obtained favourable orders from the Madras High Court and Government of Tamil Nadu benefitting the visually impaired community at large.

Nethrodaya vs State

Nethrodaya vs State.pdf

The Department of Welfare of Differently Abled Persons provides a maintenance allowance of Rs. 2,000/- to each severely disabled person affected with mental retardation, muscular dystrophy, and leprosy. Nethrodaya’s Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to consider the visually impaired persons on par with other differently abled led to a judgment from the Madras High Court on 19.09.2022, directing the Government of Tamil Nadu to consider extending the Monthly Pension Scheme for visually impaired persons, under the Differently Abled Category (WP No. 50052).

A Heartfelt Appeal to the Hon’ble Prime Minister for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities

Age Relaxation under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)
GST Exemption on Assistive Devices

Representation to the Prime Minister.pdf

The first disabled to receive the pension of his father in

Tamil Nadu

Every order, every judgement has not only helped thousands from the visually impaired community and their families, but has also enabled other welfare institutions for the differently abled to work with dignity.

Kuppan, a poor Visually Challenged who lost his parents and was unable to avail his father's pension.

He approached Nethrodaya for seeking legal assistance.

Nethrodaya's "Legal Eagle "Mr.Prabhakaran fought the battle in the High Court of Madras and received the historic order from the Metro Department.

Disability ID Cards accepted for Free Bus Travel by the Transport Department

The Hon'ble Minister for Transport accepted Nethrodaya’s request to allow Visually Impaired Persons to travel in city buses by producing their Disability ID Card issued by Government of Tamil Nadu thereby removing the need for obtaining special passes while travelling in city buses.

This aligns with the 2025–2026 Policy Note of the WDAP Department, led by the Hon'ble Chief Minister, which clearly states that Visually Impaired Persons can travel in city buses without any conditions. (click here)

Letter from MTC

Letter from MTC Commissioner

Disgraceful Remarks by Madras High Court

Disgraceful Tamil translation of "Disability" in the degree certificate issued by the University of Madras.

The University of Madras had issued degree certificates for the Master of Social Work in Disability and Empowerment (2021–2023 batch) at the Madras School of Social Work, using the Tamil term “Iyalaamai” to denote disability. This term, which implies inability rather than disability, was viewed as derogatory and contrary to the spirit of the RPWD Act, 2016.

Following Nethrodaya’s representation, the Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education directed the University to replace “Iyalaamai” with “Maatruthiren”, thereby upholding the dignity of persons with disabilities and preserving the respectful usage of Tamil language.

Letter to Higher Education Minister

Letter from Higher Education Minister

Newspaper Clip

Representation for Motorised Sewing Machine

Distribution of Motorised Sewing Machine to Visually Impaired Women

The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has accepted Nethrodaya’s representation to include Visually Impaired Women under the Distribution of Motorised Sewing Machine Scheme. This progressive decision will provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to thousands of visually impaired women across the State, empowering them to achieve economic independence and social inclusion. (click here)

Nethrodaya’s Initiative for Scribe Support to the Visually Impaired

Nethrodaya understood that non-availability of scribes was a major impediment in visually impaired persons’ education and hence approached the Madras High Court requesting to direct the Government of Tamil Nadu to frame new guidelines and issue Government Orders for the appointment of scribes who can appear with visually impaired students at their board/university exams. The historic judgement that came on 28th January 2016 directed the Government of Tamil Nadu to issue modified guidelines by incorporating suggestions from Nethrodaya. Our rigorous follow up also ensured that the orders were issued by the Department of School Education and Higher Education, and implemented soon after. (Click here).

GO No. 54 dated 29.02.2016

Letter Dated 08.03.2016

Nethrodaya’s Triumph Against Social Discrimination

Nethrodaya fought a legal battle in the High Court of Madras against the Resident Welfare Association who had challenged the Government’s allotment of Land to Nethrodaya on the grounds of Social Untouchability. After carefully examining the petition, The Chief Justice of Madras High Court passed a landmark judgement on 17th October 2008 condemning the association’s objection and also imposed a fine on the petitioner.

G.O No 748 dated 20.11.2006.

Justice Paul Vasahnthkumar Judgement

Justice A K Ganguly judgement

From Denial to Duty: Thamarai Joins Printing Dept After Disability Rights Battle

K. Thamarai, a visually impaired woman from Thiruvannamalai who cleared the TNPSC Group IV exams with 202.50 marks, received a fresh appointment order as a junior assistant after alleging denial of her initial posting in Chennai's printing department due to her disability. Despite receiving an appointment from TNPSC and the Printing Commissioner, she was told the job was unsuitable when she reported in August 2020, prompting complaints under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Nethrodaya founder C. Govindakrishnan raised the issue with the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, leading to inquiries and her new posting at a printing and stationery office in Salem on November 19, 2020. Thamarai expressed joy at starting work to achieve financial stability for her family. (Click here)

Denied posting despite holding appointment order, alleges visually-impaired woman

Response sought over visually-impaired woman being denied posting

Nethrodaya’s Legal Victory for Fee Exemption Benefiting Welfare Institutions

Nethrodaya’s advocacy efforts were channelled by its founder’s long term vision and determination to set up a favourable ecosystem in the society that allowed support services for the visually impaired persons to prosper. This vision led the institution to a new milestone – obtaining a judgement from Madras High Court that exempts building approval fee from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The GO has not only benefitted Nethrodaya but has also favoured many other welfare institutions run for the differently abled G.O No 31 dated 09.03.2018.

I&D Charges

Nethrodaya's initiative for getting fee exemption for private visually impaired candidates and also for applying online for Board Exams

Direct private visually impaired students appearing for State Board Examinations were asked to pay examination fees. This requirement had caused unhappiness and discontent among the visually impaired students of Tamil Nadu. Nethrodaya took up the matter with the State Government by meeting the officials of the concerned Departments and appealed to them to grant exemption of examination fees for the visually impaired students. Government of Tamil Nadu considered our appeal in detail and issued orders granting exemption of examination fees for direct private visually impaired students appearing for Board Examination henceforth. This fee exemption has already benefitted many visually impaired students, specially the private candidates, for the current year and going to benefit hundreds of such students in future. Nethrodaya has thus addressed the felt need of the visually impaired student community and was instrumental in securing the great boon to the visually impaired student community. Obtaining a historic G.O from School Education Department towards Fee Waiver for the Visually Impaired Private candidates appearing for Board Exams for Obtaining Special Permission for Visually Impaired Students to apply in Online Mode for their Board Exams.

G.O No 220 dated 09.07.2013