Since 1952

Helping Hand for Visually Impaired

Monthly Financial support for food grain – Over 200 beneficiaries
Yearly Financial support for Self-employment
Linkages with Center / State / Local government schemes

Collage showing the distribution of free folding white canes to visually impaired beneficiaries by members of The Poona Blind Men's Association during a rehabilitation initiative

Rehabilitation Unit (2022 – 2026)

Government Scheme Linkages

Linkages of Differently Abled beneficiaries with Central, State, and Local Government schemes to ensure accessible social, health, and financial security.

Central Government Schemes

Unique Disability Card (UDID)

e-KYC Essential for All Disabled Beneficiaries

264Disabled Beneficiaries Enrolled

Benefits & Key Details

•Single document of identification and verification of disability for availing various benefits.
•Eliminates the need to carry, maintain, and duplicate multiple physical documents.
•UDID card captures all necessary details decodable via reader.
•Universally acceptable across India to prove disability condition.

Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY)

Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage

185Visually Impaired Enrolled

Benefits & Key Details

•Provides cashless, comprehensive healthcare coverage up to ₹5,00,000 per family per year.
•Ensures accessible and affordable treatment for eligible beneficiaries.
•Covers hospitalization and medical treatments across empanelled hospitals.

Railway Concession Pass

National Travel Concession

104 EnrolledVisually Impaired Beneficiaries

Benefits & Key Details

•Fare Discounts: Up to 75% off on long-distance travel fares.
•Concessional Tickets: Eligible passengers can book online or at counters with concession card and original ID.
•IRCTC Integration: Pass usable for online booking via IRCTC website or mobile app.
•No Railway Office Visit: Application process completed online initially without in-person visits.

Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana

Monthly Government Financial Pension

17Visually Impaired Enrolled for Online Living Certificate

Benefits & Key Details

•Monthly financial assistance of ₹2,500 provided directly by the Government.
•Direct assistance provided for submitting Online Living Certificates seamlessly.
•Sustained monthly financial support for eligible visually impaired beneficiaries.

e-Shram Card

Ministry of Labour & Employment

128Disabled Beneficiaries Enrolled

Benefits & Key Details

•Pension Benefits: Monthly pension of ₹3,000 after reaching age 60 for old-age financial security.
•Insurance Coverage: Accidental death & permanent disability cover of ₹2,00,000; partial disability aid of ₹1,00,000.
•Universal Account Number (UAN): 12-digit UAN serving as unique nationwide identity for government welfare.
•Unorganised Sector Support: Covers home-based, self-employed, and gig workers (Age criteria: 16–59 years).

Government of Maharashtra Schemes

Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPAY)

State Medical & Surgery Coverage

1,113Disabled Persons with Family Members Enrolled

Benefits & Key Details

•Up to ₹5,00,000 financial support per year for surgeries in government-listed hospitals.
•Cashless facility: Amount directly paid to the concerned hospital.
•Merged Scheme: Merged with Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY) scheme since April 2025 for unified health coverage.

E-Vehicle Scheme

Eco-Friendly Mobility Subsidies

13Applications Filled for Visually Impaired

Benefits & Key Details

•Facilitated application filling for visually impaired beneficiaries under state e-vehicle mobility schemes.
•Empowers accessible, sustainable, and independent daily local transport.

Divyang Sahayak Portal

Digital Disability Facilitation

53Visually Impaired Successfully Enrolled

Benefits & Key Details

•Single-window portal for seamless registration and access to state government disability welfare benefits.
•Streamlined verification and tracking for individual beneficiary welfare applications.

Period: April 2021 to June 2026

Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Disability Welfare Schemes

COVID-19 Financial Assistance

57 Approved

Received ₹2,000 each via Direct Bank Transfer (Total: ₹1,14,000)

•33 Visually Impaired Beneficiaries
•13 PBMA Old Age Home Grannies
•12 Sparsh Deafblind Children
•02 Other Disabled Beneficiaries

Financial Support (Pension)

141 Beneficiaries

Yearly financial pension distributed based on disability percentage:

•40% to 60% Disability: ₹2,500/- yearly
•60% to 80% Disability: ₹3,000/- yearly
•80% and above Disability: ₹3,500/- yearly

Self-Employment Scheme

84 Beneficiaries

Financial support to start small businesses for livelihood (once in 3 years):

•Provided ₹15,000 grant per beneficiary
•Financial support increased to ₹20,000 from April 2025

Artificial Organs & Assistive Devices

84 Beneficiaries

One-time financial support to purchase assistive devices for daily living:

•Provided ₹20,000 grant per beneficiary
•Financial support increased to ₹30,000 from April 2025

Free PMT Bus Travel Pass

66 Beneficiaries

Free commuting pass scheme for Pune Municipal Corporation residents:

•Covers travel on PMT buses across the city
•Highly beneficial for visually impaired daily commuters

Urban Poor Health Scheme

34 Beneficiaries

Medical support scheme for poor & needy families at PMC-listed hospitals:

•Up to ₹1,60,000 assistance per family per year
•Validity: 1 April to 31 March (Yearly charges: ₹200)

Other Support Services

Free White Canes
Free Plastic sheet in Rainy season
Support in Donation in Kind
Medical Aid
Free Diwali Ration Kit
Free School Kit

Distribution of White Cane to visually impaired from the community of Blind individuals

Free White Cane

White cane is the very important assistive device for Visually Impaired for mobility. For more than 25 years The PBMA has been distributing white canes free of cost to needy Visually Impaired.

April 2025 to Dec. 2025

154 Canes Distributed

Distribution of School backpacks to visually impaired from the community of Blind individual

Educational Support

Education is the key to independence. We provide school kits, including bags and books, to children of visually impaired individuals to ensure their education is not compromised due to financial constraints.

Annual Distribution

500+ School Kits

Dignitaries outdoors presenting sweets and clothing during Diwali

Dignitaries indoors distributing sweet boxes

Spreading Joy

Festivals are for everyone. During Diwali, we distribute ration kits and sweet boxes to visually impaired families, ensuring they can celebrate with dignity and joy. Support in donation in kind is also welcomed.

Festive Impact

1000+ Families Supported

Ms. Kashmira Thakar

Head Resource Mobilization, PBMA

Mr. Mangesh Kulkarni

Head, Community Rehabilitation, PBMA

Visual Highlights

Watch Our Impact in Action

Take a closer look at our rehabilitation initiatives, community outreach events, and beneficiary success stories.

Feedback from Mr. and Mrs. Salunke

An overview of our community rehabilitation drives, featuring assistance and financial support for visually impaired individuals.

PBMA Rehabilitation Unit

Feedback from Dnyandev Mali

Hear from our beneficiaries about how government schemes have transformed their livelihoods.

Beneficiary Testimonials