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
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
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Age Relaxation under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)
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GST Exemption on Assistive Devices
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)
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
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).
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.
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.
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
Madras HC Chief Justice Launches 'Free Legal Aid to the Disabled' Initiative, Backed by Top Law Firms
The Hon'ble Chief Justice of Madras High Court, Mr. Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, launched 'Free Legal Aid to the Disabled', a unique initiative supported by leading law firms, empowering PWDs with legal access.
The event was graced by Justice R. Subramanian, Former Judge, Madras High Court; Tmt. S. Madumathi, IAS, Secretary, Welfare of Differently Abled Persons Department, Govt of Tamil Nadu; and other dignitaries.
Representation to Thiruvalluvar University
A formal representation submitted by Nethrodaya to Thiruvalluvar University requesting enforcement of a Tamil Nadu Government Order that exempts students with benchmark disabilities from paying examination fees. It highlights that despite an existing mandate under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and a relevant government order, the university’s recent exam fee notification failed to mention this exemption, causing distress among differently abled students. On their behalf, Nethrodaya urges the university to immediately issue a clarification ensuring that eligible students are not required to pay the fees for the upcoming examinations.
Nethrodaya’s Appeal and Public Interest Litigation for Accessible Voting
Nethrodaya has earnestly appealed to the Chief Electoral Officer, Tmt. Archana Patnaik, IAS, to urgently introduce accessible, audio-enabled VVPAT systems integrated with EVMs to support visually impaired, mobility-impaired, and print-disabled voters. Emphasizing the importance of ballot secrecy, voter dignity, and confidence among differently abled citizens, the organization highlights this as a crucial step toward inclusive polling in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. In continuation of this effort, Nethrodaya has also filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High Court of Madras, seeking the implementation of a headphone-based, audio-enabled VVPAT system to ensure independent and accessible voting for visually impaired individuals.
1. Representation to Chief Electroal Officer
2. Letter from Chief Electoral Officer to Election Commission of India