Supply Free Laptops to Visually Impaired Students Pursuing Higher Education

Description
The & 39; Supply Free Laptops to Visually Impaired Students Pursuing Higher Education & 39; scheme introduced by the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department, Government of Odisha. The scheme is provisioned for providing laptops to the visually impaired students to pursue professional courses after XII, under graduate and post graduate courses. The new provision of providing laptops to the visually impaired students forms part of the existing scheme “Special Appliances”.

Exclusions
• The applicant must not have received a free laptop before.

Benefits
• The Director, SSEPD shall distribute the laptops to the students on proper identification in camps organized in different regions of the State in presences of public representatives and Government Officers.
• The JAWS Software for visually impaired students will be installed in the laptops.

Eligibility Criteria
1. The applicant must be a resident of Odisha state.
2. The applicant must have a disability of 40% and above.
3. The applicant must be pursuing 1st year and above of the professional courses after +2, Under Graduate or Post Graduate course including M.Phill, Phd, Law, Management, Medicine and other Technical courses.

Required Documents
• Disability Certificate.
• Aadhar scan copy.
• Scan copy applicant photo.
• Recommendation Certificate (issued by the Principal or Head of the Institution where the student has been enrolled).

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can visually impaired students from other states apply for this scheme in Odisha?
A: No, only residents of Odisha are eligible for this scheme.

Q: What happens if a student's disability certificate shows less than 40% disability?
A: Applicants must have a disability certificate showing 40% or more disability.

Q: Can visually impaired students pursuing non-professional courses apply for this scheme?
A: No, only students pursuing professional courses are eligible.

Q: Is there any age limit for applying for the free laptop scheme?
A: There is no specified age limit mentioned in the guidelines.

Q: What if a visually impaired student has already completed their first year of study?
A: Students must be in their first year or above of study to apply.

Q: How often can a visually impaired student apply for a free laptop?
A: Students can apply only once, provided they haven't received a free laptop before.

Q: Can a visually impaired student apply directly, or does it have to be through their institution?
A: Applications must be submitted through the student's institution with the recommendation of the Principal or Head.

Q: Are there any specific brands or models of laptops provided?
A: The guidelines mention procuring laptops from reputed brands, but specific models are not specified.

Q: Can students choose the specifications of the laptop they receive?
A: Students do not have the option to choose the specifications of the laptop.

Q: Is there any support provided for maintenance or repairs of the laptops?
A: There is no mention of support for maintenance or repairs in the guidelines.

Q: What if a student loses their laptop or it gets stolen?
A: There are no provisions mentioned for lost or stolen laptops.

Q: Are there any conditions for returning the laptop after completing studies?
A: There are no conditions mentioned for returning the laptop after studies.

Q: Can visually impaired students pursuing distance education apply for this scheme?
A: Only students pursuing regular courses are eligible; distance education students are not mentioned.

Q: Are there any restrictions on the use of the laptop?
A: There are no specific restrictions mentioned regarding the use of the laptop.

Q: Can a visually impaired student receive additional software or accessories?
A: Only JAWS software is mentioned to be installed; no mention of additional software or accessories.

Q: Can a visually impaired student transfer their free laptop to someone else?
A: There are no provisions mentioned for transferring the laptop to someone else.

Q: How long does the application process usually take?
A: Applications should be submitted by July 31st each year.