What is a disability certificate and why does it matter?
A disability certificate (also called a certificate of disability under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016) is a formal document issued by an authorised government medical board. It certifies the nature and degree of a person's disability. It is required for: school and educational accommodations (including exams), government scheme eligibility (ADIP, scholarships, reservations), travel concessions, and tax exemptions.
Who can get a certificate for speech or hearing impairment?
Hearing impairment: persons with hearing loss of 60 dB or more in the better ear qualify for a certificate. Below 40 dB typically does not qualify; 40–59 dB is assessed individually. Speech and language impairment: persons with significant difficulty in speaking that substantially limits their daily activities. The RPwD Act 2016 includes 'speech and language disability' as a recognised category, which is an important change from the older legislation.
How to get a certificate
Step 1: Go to a government hospital (district hospital or above) with a medical board that includes a relevant specialist (ENT for hearing, neurologist or relevant specialist for speech). Step 2: Undergo assessment by the medical board. For hearing, this requires an audiogram. For speech, a clinical assessment by an SLP or neurologist may be needed. Step 3: The medical board issues the certificate with the percentage of disability. This can take 1–4 visits depending on the hospital. Step 4: The certificate is registered on the Unique Disability ID (UDID) portal — udid.gov.in.
What documentation helps
Bring: audiograms or hearing test reports, reports from an SLP or hospital-based speech therapy department, relevant medical records (neurological reports if relevant). These help the medical board make a faster and more accurate assessment.
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Can Neurova issue a disability certificate?
No. Disability certificates can only be issued by authorised government medical boards. We can provide supporting clinical documentation from an RCI-registered clinician that helps the board assess the degree of impairment.
How long does a disability certificate last?
Permanent disability certificates do not expire. Temporary certificates are issued for conditions expected to improve (like post-stroke aphasia) and must be renewed.
Available across India
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This article is for general information and does not replace an individual clinical assessment. Read our full medical disclaimer →
