Proposal Framework | Kerala Panchayati Raj System | 2025–26

Panchayat-Level Disability Audit Framework

A structured, volunteer-deliverable community audit system covering individual, infrastructure, socio-cultural, institutional, and policy dimensions of disability inclusion.

Community Innovation Foundation MAGICS NGO / CEDAC WHO-GNAFCC Focal Point Kochi RPWD Act 2016 UN CRPD WHO ICF

§ 01

Background & Purpose

This framework proposes a Comprehensive Disability Audit for a Gram Panchayat in Kerala, designed to be delivered primarily through college student volunteers with minimal but structured training. It adopts a rights-based, inclusive development lens aligned with the RPWD Act 2016, UN CRPD, and the WHO International Classification of Functioning (ICF).

The audit will yield a living baseline, a gap analysis, and an actionable inclusion plan adoptable by the Panchayat under the 14th/15th Finance Commission local planning cycle. Kochi's experience as the first declared dementia-friendly city in Kerala, and the Mundiyapalli Model of community care, inform the participatory design of this framework.

§ 02

Guiding Principles

⚖️

Rights-Based Approach

Rooted in RPWD 2016 and UN CRPD. Disability is a human rights issue, not a charity concern.

🗣️

Nothing About Us Without Us

PWDs and their caregivers are central informants and participants, not passive subjects of study.

🔬

ICF Framework

Uses WHO's biopsychosocial model — body functions, activity, participation, and environment.

📱

Volunteer-Deliverable

Tools are simple, visual, app-based, and executable by trained college students after 1-day orientation.

📊

Data to Action

Every audit module directly feeds into the Panchayat annual plan and SECC/UDID database enrichment.

🔁

Living Document

The audit creates a re-auditable baseline with annual review cycles built into the implementation plan.

§ 03

Disability Categories Covered

The audit covers all 21 disability categories listed under the RPWD Act 2016, grouped into functional clusters. All modules collect data disaggregated by disability type, age group, gender, and ward.

LocomotorVisual ImpairmentLow VisionHearing ImpairmentSpeech & LanguageIntellectualMental IllnessAutism SpectrumCerebral PalsySpecific LearningMultiple DisabilitiesDwarfismMuscular DystrophyAcid Attack SurvivorsParkinson'sChronic NeurologicalDeaf-BlindnessBlood DisordersThalassemiaSickle CellLeprosy Cured

§ 04

The Seven Audit Domains

Domain 01

Individual & Household Registry

Census

Key Sub-Areas

UDID/certificate statusDisability type & severityAge, gender, educationCaregiver burdenAssistive device accessEntitlement awarenessUnregistered PWDs

Domain 02

Physical Infrastructure & Built Environment

Observational

Key Sub-Areas

Panchayat office accessRoads & pavementsHealth sub-centresSchools & anganwadisMarkets & public spacesAccessible toiletsTransport access

Domain 03

Socio-Cultural Barriers & Community Attitudes

Qualitative

Key Sub-Areas

Stigma mappingCommunity events inclusionReligious space accessSocial participationCommunity perceptionsLanguage use

Domain 04

Institutional & Service Delivery Audit

Facility

Key Sub-Areas

School enrolment (CwD)Health service useRehabilitation servicesASHA/AWW awarenessDisability cell functionGrievance redressal

Domain 05

Livelihood, Economic Inclusion & Social Protection

Entitlement

Key Sub-Areas

Pension & allowance receiptEmployment statusSkill training accessSHG/KudumbashreeBPL card & housingMGNREGS participation

Domain 06

Information, Communication & Technology Access

Digital

Key Sub-Areas

Digital literacy of PWDsAccessible formatse-Governance accessSign language supportEmergency communication

Domain 07

Policy, Governance & Panchayat Compliance

Governance

Key Sub-Areas

Disability budget allocationWard-level registerElected member awarenessDisability-inclusive planConvergence (DRDA/NHM/SSA)DPC/DCPU linkage

§ 05

Phased Implementation Plan

Phase	Title	Key Activities	Duration	Lead
Phase I	Preparation & Scoping	MoU with Panchayat; secondary data collection; ward mapping; tool finalization & Malayalam translation; volunteer recruitment; 1-day training camp	Weeks 1–4	CIF + MAGICS
Phase II	Primary Data Collection	Household survey (HSF) across all wards; infrastructure walkthrough (IAC) with geotagging; facility audits (FAT); PWD experience interviews (PEQ); CPS; FGDs	Weeks 5–10	Volunteers + MAGICS supervisors
Phase II-B	Institutional & Policy Audit	Panchayat Governance Scorecard (PGS); key informant interviews with ASHA, AWW, headmasters, health sub-centre staff; entitlement mapping (EMT) cross-verification	Weeks 9–10 (parallel)	CIF / CEDAC senior staff
Phase III	Data Processing & Analysis	Data cleaning & validation; quantitative tabulation; qualitative coding; domain-wise gap analysis; ward-level disaggregation; draft findings report	Weeks 11–13	CIF core team
Phase IV	Community Validation	Ward-level sharing of preliminary findings; corrections from community; Panchayat-level validation meeting with elected members and officials	Weeks 14–15	MAGICS / CEDAC
Phase V	Audit Report & Inclusion Plan	Final Audit Report (bilingual); Disability Inclusion Index score per ward; prioritized action plan; Panchayat committee presentation; community dissemination	Weeks 16–18	CIF + Panchayat
Phase VI	Monitoring & Handover	Disability Monitoring Committee; integration into Panchayat annual plan; re-audit schedule; ward member as disability focal point	Month 5+ (ongoing)	Panchayat + CEDAC

§ 06

Audit Tool Suite

HSF

KoBoToolbox / ODK

Household Survey FormStructured mobile survey for every household. Disability type, severity, UDID status, entitlements received. Covers Domains 1 & 5.

IAC

Photo + Checklist

Infrastructure Accessibility ChecklistObservation-based checklist with geotagged photos for each public building, road, and facility. Based on IS 1675 / UNCRPD standards. Domain 2.

FAT

Structured Checklist

Facility Audit ToolEvaluates schools, health sub-centres, anganwadis, Panchayat office for disability-inclusive service delivery. Domain 4.

CPS

Short Survey (10 Q)

Community Perception SurveyBrief attitudinal survey for community members (non-PWD) to map stigma, social distance, and awareness. Domain 3.

PEQ

Guided Interview

PWD Experience QuestionnaireSemi-structured interview with PWDs and caregivers on barriers, participation, and aspirations. Domains 1, 3, 5, 6.

EMT

Checklist Matrix

Entitlement Mapping ToolCross-checks government entitlements (pension, ration, housing, scholarship) against actual receipt for each registered PWD. Domain 5.

PGS

Key Informant

Panchayat Governance ScorecardAdministered with Panchayat Secretary and elected members. Budget, planning, and RPWD compliance. Domain 7.

DIAS

Mobile Survey

Digital & ICT Access SurveyAssesses technology access, assistive tech availability, and e-governance usage among PWDs. Domain 6.

FGD

Facilitated Group

Focus Group Discussion GuideStructured FGD guide for groups of PWDs, caregivers, and community leaders. Captures narratives beyond survey data. Domains 3, 4, 6.

§ 07

Volunteer Roles

Survey Volunteer

10th Std pass · 1-day training

Household survey (HSF)
Entitlement mapping (EMT)
Community perception (CPS)
Digital access survey (DIAS)

Infrastructure Auditor

Degree student · walkthrough training

Geotagged photo documentation
Infrastructure checklist (IAC)
Accessibility scoring
GPS route mapping

Interview Volunteer

Social work / psychology student

PWD experience interview (PEQ)
FGD note-taking support
Malayalam consent recording
Caregiver burden assessment

Facility Auditor

Health / para-medical student

Facility audit (FAT)
ASHA/AWW structured interview
Medication & rehab mapping
Anganwadi CwD enrolment

§ 08

Expected Deliverables

#	Deliverable	Format
1	Panchayat Disability Audit Report — bilingual (English + Malayalam), domain-wise findings with data tables, maps, and photographic evidence	Print + PDF
2	Ward-wise Disability Register — structured database of all identified PWDs, importable to UDID/Panchayat records	Excel/CSV
3	Disability Inclusion Index (DII) — composite score per ward across all 7 domains	Report + Excel
4	Infrastructure Barrier Map — GIS-based visual map of all accessibility barriers	Digital map
5	Disability Inclusion Action Plan — 1-year and 3-year plan ready for Panchayat adoption, mapped to SIPDA, NHM, MGNREGS, PMAY	Report chapter
6	All Audit Tools (Malayalam) — complete tool set for annual re-use by Panchayat	Print + Digital
7	Volunteer Training Manual — reproducible training package for future batches	Print + PDF

§ 09

Policy & Scheme Alignment

Framework / Scheme	Relevance to Audit	Domain Link
RPWD Act 2016	Entitlements, employment, education, barrier-free environment	D1, D2, D4, D5, D7
UN CRPD	Rights framework for all audit domains	All
WHO ICF	Assessment framework for individual-level audits	D1
SIPDA (DEPwD)	Infrastructure accessibility grants	D2
Samagra Shiksha (SSA)	Inclusive education for CwD	D4
NHM — RBSK / DEIC	Early detection and rehabilitation	D1, D4
MGNREGS	Livelihood inclusion for PWDs (4% reservation)	D5
PMAY / IAY	Accessible housing	D5
Kerala LSGD Annual Plan	Local body disability budget and planning	D7

Tool Compendium | 9 Validated Instruments

Audit Tool Designs

Complete question sets, response formats, administration instructions, and scoring guidance for all nine audit instruments.

HSFIACFATCPSPEQEMTPGSDIASFGD

General Instructions for All Volunteers

Attend the full 1-day orientation training before starting fieldwork.
Always carry your volunteer ID card and the official letter of authorization.
Read the Malayalam consent statement aloud before starting any interview.
Enter data on the KoBoToolbox/ODK mobile app immediately — do not fill forms from memory later.
GPS coordinates must be captured for all infrastructure and facility audits.
Photos may only be taken of infrastructure/buildings — never of people without explicit written consent.

Tool 01

HSF — Household Survey Form

Domains 1 & 5 KoBoToolbox / ODK Survey Volunteer 25–35 min per household

The HSF is the primary census tool for identifying and profiling all PWDs in the Panchayat. Administered at every household in every ward. If a household has no PWD, only Section A is completed.

Section A — Household Identification

Q#	Question / Item	Response Format
A1	Ward Number	Number (1–XX)
A2	House Number / Survey Number	Text
A3	Name of Head of Household	Text
A4	Mobile Number of Head of Household	Number (10 digits)
A5	GPS Coordinates of House	Auto-capture (KoBoToolbox)
A6	Total number of people living in this household	Number
A7	Does this household have any person with a disability?	Yes / No / Not sure
A8	If No or Not sure — reason for uncertainty (optional)	Text / Select: Unaware / Never assessed / Other

Section B — PWD Profile (Repeat for each PWD)

Q#	Question / Item	Response Format
B1. Personal Details
B1.1	Name of PWD	Text
B1.2	Age	Number
B1.3	Gender	Male / Female / Transgender / Prefer not to say
B1.4	Relationship to head of household	Select: Self / Spouse / Child / Parent / Sibling / Other
B1.5	Highest educational qualification	No schooling / Primary / Secondary / Higher Secondary / Graduate / PG / N/A
B1.6	Current occupation / livelihood	Agriculture / Daily wage / Business / Government / Private / Student / Homemaker / Unable to work / Unemployed / Other
B2. Disability Type & Severity
B2.1	Primary disability type (RPWD Act 2016)	Select one from 21 RPWD categories
B2.2	Is there a secondary disability?	Yes / No → If Yes, specify
B2.3	Estimated severity of primary disability	Mild (25–40%) / Moderate (41–60%) / Severe (61–80%) / Profound (>80%) / Not assessed
B2.4	Age at onset of disability	Congenital / Early childhood / Childhood / Adolescence / Adulthood / Old age / Unknown
B2.5	Cause of disability (if known)	Congenital / Illness / Accident / Violence / Ageing / Unknown / Other
B3. Documentation & Legal Status
B3.1	Does the PWD have a Disability Certificate?	Yes / No / Applied pending / Never applied
B3.2	Does the PWD have a UDID Card?	Yes / No / Applied pending / Never applied
B3.3	If no certificate/UDID — main reason	Don't know how / Cost / Distance / No support / Not aware / Other
B3.5	Is the PWD listed in the Panchayat disability register?	Yes / No / Don't know
B4. Assistive Devices & Rehabilitation
B4.1	Does the PWD currently use any assistive device?	Yes / No
B4.2	Type of device used	Multi-select: Wheelchair / Crutches / Walking stick / Prosthesis / Hearing aid / White cane / Spectacles / AAC device / Braille / Other
B4.3	Is the current device adequate and in working condition?	Yes / No / Partially / No device used
B4.6	Does the PWD need any device/rehabilitation service not being received?	Yes / No → If Yes, specify
B7. Caregiver Information
B7.1	Is there a primary caregiver for this PWD?	Yes / No (self-independent)
B7.3	Does the caregiver receive any support or training?	Yes / No
B7.4	Caregiver's self-reported level of stress	Not stressed / Mildly / Moderately / Severely stressed
B7.5	Has the caregiver had to give up employment to care for the PWD?	Yes / No

Tool 02

IAC — Infrastructure Accessibility Checklist

Domain 2Photo + ChecklistInfrastructure Auditor30–60 min per site

Scoring: 2 = Fully accessible | 1 = Partially accessible | 0 = Not accessible | N/A = Not applicable

Q#	Item	Score
B. Approach & Entrance
B1	Clear, unobstructed footpath/walkway to entrance	0/1/2/N/A + Photo
B2	Footpath surface smooth and level	0/1/2/N/A + Photo
B3	Footpath width ≥900mm for wheelchair	0/1/2/N/A + Measure
B4	Kerb cuts / dropped kerbs at road crossings	0/1/2/N/A + Photo
B5	Tactile paving strips for visually impaired	0/1/2/N/A + Photo
B6	Step-free main entrance (ramp or level access)	0/1/2 + Photo
B7	Ramp with handrails on both sides	0/1/2/N/A
B8	Ramp slope ≤1:12	0/1/2/N/A + Estimate slope
B9	Entrance door width ≥900mm	0/1/2 + Measure
B11	Braille / large print signage at entrance	0/1/2/N/A
C. Interior & Toilet Accessibility
C1	Internal corridors ≥1200mm wide	0/1/2/N/A + Measure
C2	Floors level and non-slip throughout	0/1/2
C3	Lift or ramp to all floors (if multi-storey)	0/1/2/N/A
C9	Toilet available for public use	Yes / No → If No, skip to D
C10	Designated accessible toilet for PWDs	0/1/2
C11	Accessible toilet has grab bars	0/1/2/N/A + Photo
C12	Accessible toilet door ≥900mm wide	0/1/2/N/A + Measure
F. Site Score
F1	Total score (auto-calculated)	Number (sum of 0/1/2 scores)
F3	Accessibility percentage	(F1 / Max possible) × 100%
F4	Top 3 priority barriers at this site	Free text

IAC Accessibility Rating Scale

85–100%: Highly Accessible (Green)
60–84%: Partially Accessible — minor improvements needed (Yellow)
40–59%: Poorly Accessible — significant barriers (Orange)
Below 40%: Inaccessible — major overhaul needed (Red)

Tool 04

CPS — Community Perception Survey

Domain 3Short SurveySurvey Volunteer8–12 min per respondent

Likert-scale survey administered to non-PWD community members. Target minimum 30 adults per ward, equal gender mix. Response scale: 1 = Strongly Disagree … 5 = Strongly Agree

Q#	Statement	Response
Q1	People with disabilities can lead independent and productive lives.	1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
Q2	I would be comfortable living next to a person with a disability.	1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
Q3	Children with disabilities should study in the same school as other children.	1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
Q4	A person with a disability can do most types of work if given the right support.	1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
Q5	People with disabilities in our community are treated with dignity and respect.	1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
Q6	Disability is something that brings shame or embarrassment to a family. (Reverse-scored)	1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
Q7	Persons with disabilities should be included in all community decisions and events.	1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
Q8	I am aware of the rights that persons with disabilities have under Indian law.	1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
Q9	The Panchayat is doing enough to support persons with disabilities in our area.	1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
Q10	I would support my family member marrying a person with a disability if they wished to.	1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
OQ1	What is the biggest challenge faced by persons with disabilities in this Panchayat? (Open)	Free text (Malayalam)
OQ2	What is one thing the Panchayat could do to improve life for persons with disabilities? (Open)	Free text (Malayalam)

Community Positive Attitude Index (CPAI)

CPAI = Mean score across all 10 questions per ward (Q6 reverse-scored: score = 6 minus answer)
4.0 and above = Positive attitude | 3.0–3.9 = Neutral | Below 3.0 = Negative/stigmatizing

Tool 06

EMT — Entitlement Mapping Tool

Domain 5Checklist MatrixSurvey Volunteer15–20 min per PWD

Cross-checks each PWD's entitlement status. Codes: R = Receiving | NR = Not Receiving (eligible) | NA = Not Applicable | U = Unknown

Code	Scheme	Status
Financial Support
S1	Disability Pension (Viklangatha Pension)	R / NR / NA / U
S3	Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme	R / NR / NA / U
Assistive Devices & Rehabilitation
S5	ADIP Scheme (ALIMCO)	R / NR / NA / U
S6	State assistive device scheme (KSHEMA / Kerala SSM)	R / NR / NA / U
Health & Insurance
S8	Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP) / Ayushman Bharat	R / NR / NA / U
S9	Niramaya Health Insurance (intellectual/developmental disability)	R / NR / NA / U
Education & Skill Development
S10	Pre-Matric Scholarship for students with disabilities	R / NR / NA / U
S11	Post-Matric Scholarship for students with disabilities	R / NR / NA / U
S13	DDRS / Vocational training through DRDA	R / NR / NA / U
Housing & Livelihood
S14	PMAY (priority for PWDs)	R / NR / NA / U
S15	MGNREGS (4% reservation)	R / NR / NA / U
S16	Kudumbashree SHG membership	R / NR / NA / U
S17	BPL ration card	R / NR / NA / U
Legal & Social
S18	Legal Aid / KeLSA support	R / NR / NA / U
S19	Free bus pass for PWDs (KSRTC)	R / NR / NA / U
S20	Election ID / Voter registration	R / NR / NA / U

Volunteer Programme | 1-Day Training

Training Curriculum & Facilitator Guide

Complete session-by-session curriculum for the 1-day volunteer training, including facilitator notes, role-play scenario cards, and all annexures.

30 Volunteers7 Hours8 SessionsMalayalam

§ 01

Programme Timetable

Time	Session	Method	Lead
8:30 AM	Registration, ID card distribution, device setup	Self-directed	All staff
9:00 AM	SESSION 1 — Opening: Who We Are & Why This Matters	Presentation + Discussion	Senior Facilitator
9:45 AM	SESSION 2 — Understanding Disability: Rights, Models & RPWD Act	Interactive lecture + Q&A	Resource Person / DPO
10:45 AM	Tea Break (15 min)	—	—
11:00 AM	SESSION 3 — Voices of Experience: PWD as Teacher	Panel / Lived experience	PWD / Caregiver guests
11:45 AM	SESSION 4 — Ethics, Consent & Communication	Case studies + group work	MAGICS Facilitator
12:30 PM	Lunch Break (45 min)	—	—
1:15 PM	SESSION 5 — Tool Walkthrough: Your Assigned Instruments	Breakout groups by role	CEDAC Staff + Supervisors
2:30 PM	SESSION 6 — Mobile Data Entry: KoBoToolbox / ODK Hands-On	Hands-on device practice	Tech Volunteer / CEDAC
3:15 PM	Tea Break (15 min)	—	—
3:30 PM	SESSION 7 — Role-Play Field Simulation	Paired role-play + debrief	All Supervisors
4:30 PM	SESSION 8 — Ward Assignment, Logistics & Support Protocol	Briefing + Q&A	CIF Coordinator
5:00 PM	Closing: Volunteer Pledge, Certificate Distribution & Group Photo	Ceremony	Senior Facilitator

§ 02

Session Plans

Session 2 — Understanding Disability: Rights, Models & RPWD Act

Medical Model vs Social Model

	Medical Model	Social Model
Focus	The person's impairment — what is "wrong" with them	The barriers created by society — what is "wrong" with the environment
Solution	Cure, treatment, rehabilitation	Remove barriers, change attitudes, ensure rights
Language	"Disabled person", "suffers from", "afflicted with"	"Person with a disability", "person who uses a wheelchair"
Example	"Rajan cannot access the Panchayat office because he uses a wheelchair."	"The Panchayat office has no ramp — that is the barrier, not Rajan's wheelchair."

Language & Dignity — What to Say

#	Avoid (Stigmatizing)	Use Instead (Respectful)
1	Vikalaangu / Vikalaangiyaya	Vikalaangathayulla vyakthi
2	Buddhi maandyan / maandyam	Budhdhiparmaya vaikalyamulla vyakthi
3	Kutthi / kurudan	Kazhivukuravulla vyakthi
4	Bhrantan / Bhranthi	Manoroga ullavar
5	"Rogi" (patient) for someone with a disability	PWD — not a "patient"
6	"Suffers from" / "afflicted with"	"Lives with" / "has" a disability

Session 4 — Communication with Persons with Different Disabilities

Disability Type	Communication Approach	Mistakes to Avoid
Visual Impairment	Announce yourself by name. Describe your actions aloud. Read questions clearly.	Do not grab without asking. Do not shout. Do not assume they cannot read.
Hearing Impairment / Deaf	Face them directly. Speak at normal pace. Use written cards if needed. Sign interpreter with consent.	Do not exaggerate lip movements. Do not speak to family instead of the person.
Speech Impairment	Allow extra time. Do not finish their sentences. Use yes/no questions if needed.	Do not pretend to understand. Do not show impatience.
Intellectual Disability	Short simple sentences. One question at a time. Use pictures if available. PWD is primary respondent.	Do not speak to caregiver as if PWD is absent. Do not assume incompetence.
Mental Illness	Approach calmly and non-judgmentally. Stop if person seems distressed. Call supervisor.	Do not challenge expressed beliefs. Do not conduct survey during an apparent episode.
Locomotor / Wheelchair	Sit or crouch to eye level. Do not push wheelchair without permission.	Do not lean on wheelchair. Do not speak louder than normal.

Session 7 — Role-Play Observer Checklist

Observation Item	Done Well	Needs Work
Introduced themselves and the project clearly	✓	—
Read consent statement in full before starting	✓	—
Waited for verbal consent before proceeding	✓	—
Made eye contact and faced the respondent throughout	✓	—
Asked questions in correct order without skipping	✓	—
Did not lead the respondent with suggested answers	✓	—
Handled a "don't know" response appropriately	✓	—
Managed a difficult situation calmly	✓	—
Entered data accurately on device or paper	✓	—
Thanked the respondent and closed respectfully	✓	—

§ 03

Role-Play Scenario Cards

Scenario Card 1 — Survey Volunteer

58-year-old woman with moderate locomotor disability (crutches). Has disability certificate, no UDID. Daughter-in-law keeps interrupting.
Task: Administer HSF Sections A and B. Practise redirecting the daughter-in-law kindly.
Challenge: "I am tired of answering questions. Nobody does anything anyway."

Scenario Card 2 — Interview Volunteer

24-year-old man with hearing impairment. Communicates by lip-reading and writing. Initially reluctant and suspicious.
Task: Administer CPS. Use written communication for at least 3 questions.
Challenge: Respondent writes "Why should I trust you?" — respond in writing.

Scenario Card 3 — Interview Volunteer

Parent of a 10-year-old child with intellectual disability. Parent becomes emotional when asked about school enrolment.
Task: Administer FAT (School section) adapted as household interview.
Challenge: Parent discloses school refused admission last year.

Scenario Card 4 — Survey Volunteer

70-year-old man with low vision and Parkinson's. No disability certificate. Speaks thick local dialect.
Task: Administer EMT. GPS capture must also be attempted.
Challenge: App crashes mid-survey. Switch to paper backup.

§ 04

Daily Fieldwork Targets

Tool	Daily Target per Volunteer	Coverage Goal
HSF (Household Survey)	8–10 households per day	All households in assigned ward
IAC (Infrastructure Checklist)	2–3 sites per day	All public sites in ward
CPS (Community Perception)	10–12 respondents per day	Minimum 30 per ward
PEQ (PWD Experience)	3–4 interviews per day	All consenting PWDs identified
FAT (Facility Audit)	1–2 facilities per day	All facilities in ward cluster
DIAS (Digital Survey)	Alongside HSF	All PWD households
EMT (Entitlement Mapping)	Alongside HSF/PEQ	All registered PWDs

§ 05

Volunteer Pledge

Malayalam Pledge (Read Together at Closing Ceremony)

"Njaan, oru svayannsevakan/svayannsevika aayi, ee samaajathinnte vikaalaangathayulla vyakthikalku vendi ee prasthaavana nadathunnathaanu. Njaan adhisthaanapparamaya aadaravum rahasyaswaroopattheyum paali pravaarthippicchukond, Panchayattu aavashyamaaya mattattu nirmmikkaan aavashyamulla vivarangal sanchayicchukond prasthaavikkum. Ithinu njaan saakyam cheyunnu."

(I, as a volunteer, pledge to conduct this survey on behalf of persons with disabilities in this community with dignity and confidentiality, collecting the information the Panchayat needs to build a more inclusive future. I pledge this.)

Scoring Methodology | Ward-Level Assessment

Disability Inclusion Index

Complete scoring methodology — 7 domains, 21 sub-dimensions, 100 points total. Normalization formulas, computation worksheets, and performance tiers.

7 Domains21 Sub-dimensions100 PointsWard-Level Score5 Performance Tiers

§ 01

DII Structure & Domain Weights

Domain	Name	Weight	Tool(s)	Sub-dimensions
D1	Individual & Household Registry	15%	HSF	3
D2	Physical Infrastructure & Built Environment	20%	IAC	3
D3	Socio-Cultural Barriers & Community Attitudes	10%	CPS + PEQ	2
D4	Institutional & Service Delivery	15%	FAT	3
D5	Livelihood, Economic Inclusion & Social Protection	20%	EMT + HSF	3
D6	Information, Communication & Technology Access	10%	DIAS	2
D7	Policy, Governance & Panchayat Compliance	10%	PGS	3
TOTAL — All 7 Domains		100%	All 9 Tools	21

§ 02

Domain Weights — Visual

15 pts

20 pts

10 pts

15 pts

20 pts

10 pts

§ 03

Master Scoring Formula

DII (Ward) = Σ Domain Scores

Domain Score = Σ [ (Raw Sub-dim Score ÷ Max Raw Score) × Sub-dim Weight ]

Ward Raw Score (individual) = Mean of all PWD scores in the ward

Ward Raw Score (facility) = Mean of all audited site scores in the ward

§ 04

Sub-Dimension Specifications

Sub-dim	Name	Wt	Max Raw	Key Indicators
D1 — Individual Registry (15 pts)
D1a	Coverage & Registration	5	5	UDID card (1); Certificate (1); Panchayat register (1); Type classified (1); Severity documented (1)
D1b	Assistive Device Access	5	5	Device needed & available (2); In working condition (2); No unmet need (1)
D1c	Healthcare & Rehabilitation	5	10	Health facility visit in 3 months (2); No barrier (2); Rehabilitation received (3); School enrolment CwD (3)
D2 — Infrastructure (20 pts)
D2a	Path & Approach Accessibility	7	10	Clear footpath (2); Smooth surface (2); Width ≥900mm (2); Kerb cuts (2); Tactile paving (2)
D2b	Entrance & Building Access	7	12	Step-free entrance (2); Ramp with rails (2); Slope ≤1:12 (2); Door width ≥900mm (2); Call button (2); Braille signage (2)
D2c	Interior & Toilet Accessibility	6	14	Corridor width (2); Level floors (2); Lift/ramp multi-storey (2); Lighting (2); Accessible toilet (2); Grab bars (2); Toilet door (2)
D3 — Social Inclusion (10 pts)
D3a	Community Attitude Index (CPAI)	5	50	Mean of CPS Q1–Q10 Likert scores across ward (Q6 reverse-scored)
D3b	PWD Social Participation	5	5	Participates in events (2); Feels welcome (1); Has friendships (1); Attends religious space (1)
D4 — Service Delivery (15 pts)
D4a	Educational Inclusion (CwD)	5	10	CwD enrolment rate (2); Special educator (2); Accessible school (2); IEP in place (2); Zero dropouts (2)
D4b	Health Service Readiness	5	10	PWD register at facility (2); Home visits (2); Rehab equipment (2); ASHA training (2); RBSK/DEIC operational (2)
D4c	Panchayat Service Inclusion	5	6	Disability register maintained (2); Grievance mechanism (2); UDID camp conducted (2)
D5 — Livelihood & Entitlements (20 pts)
D5a	Entitlement Receipt Rate	10	100%	Individual rate = (Schemes received ÷ Applicable schemes) × 100. Ward D5a = mean of all individual rates.
D5b	Economic Participation	5	5	Paid employment/livelihood (2); SHG membership (1); MGNREGS work (1); Skill training (1)
D5c	Financial Security	5	5	Disability pension (2); BPL ration card (1); PMAY/housing (1); Adequate income (1)
D6 — ICT Access (10 pts)
D6a	Digital Literacy & Device Access	5	6	Smartphone (1); Internet (1); PWD operates mobile (2); Used e-governance portal (2)
D6b	Accessible Formats & Emergency	5	4	Accessibility features enabled (2); Aware of emergency contacts (1); Registered with disaster mgmt (1)
D7 — Governance (10 pts)
D7a	Governance Structure	3	3	Disability focal person (1); Sub-committee active (1); RPWD training conducted (1)
D7b	Planning & Budget	4	3	Disability chapter in annual plan (1); Budget allocation >0.5% (1); Budget fully utilized (1)
D7c	Records & Convergence	3	6	Current register (2); Disaggregated (1); Convergence DRDA/NHM/SSA (2); Grievance register (1)

§ 05

DII Performance Tiers

Tier 5

85 – 100

LEADING — Comprehensive disability inclusion. Most barriers removed, entitlements received, attitudes positive, governance strong. Focus: sustain and document as a model.

Tier 4

70 – 84

PROGRESSING — Significant progress. Most domains functional but gaps in 1–2 areas. Focus: targeted improvements in lowest-scoring domains.

Tier 3

50 – 69

DEVELOPING — Moderate inclusion. Clear strengths in some domains, systemic gaps in others. Focus: multi-domain action plan with priority Panchayat budget.

Tier 2

30 – 49

NEEDS WORK — Multiple significant gaps. PWDs face persistent barriers. Governance and service delivery weak. Focus: urgent multi-stakeholder intervention.

Tier 1

0 – 29

CRITICAL — Severe inclusion deficit. PWDs largely unregistered, services inaccessible, entitlements not reaching them. Focus: emergency action. Flag for district-level escalation.

§ 06

Key Rules

Critical Computation Rules

Entitlement Rate (D5a) is the single most actionable indicator in the DII. Report absolute % change between audit cycles.
Missing data: Always report DII as X/Y (e.g., "52/85") when the denominator is adjusted — never as a percentage of 100 when data is incomplete.
D7 (Governance) is a Panchayat-level domain — the same score is assigned to all wards.
D4a (Education) is N/A for wards with no school. Redistribute weight equally to D4b and D4c.
Meaningful change threshold: ±3 points in any domain between audit cycles. Below ±3 is within measurement error.
Panchayat Composite DII = Population-weighted mean: Σ(Ward DII × Ward PWD Count) ÷ Total Panchayat PWD Count.

Project Management | 2025–26

Budget & Implementation Schedule

Phase-wise itemized budget, funding source mapping, milestone payment schedule, and 20-week Gantt chart.

20 Weeks6 Phases30 VolunteersKerala LSGD Aligned

Total Budget

₹19.66L

Estimated project cost

Project Duration

20 wks

+ Phase VI ongoing

Volunteer Force

College student volunteers

Milestones

Payment trigger points

§ 01

Key Budget Assumptions

Parameter	Assumption
Panchayat size	Medium Gram Panchayat: 8–12 wards, ~4,000–6,000 households, ~150–300 PWDs (3–5% of population)
Volunteer strength	30 volunteers: 20 survey, 5 infrastructure, 5 interview/facility
Field duration	6-week primary collection (Phases II & II-B), 20 weeks total
Volunteer daily honorarium	Rs.500–600/day as stipend (not salary). Standard for Kerala NGO fieldwork programs.
Supervisor ratio	1 MAGICS/CEDAC supervisor per cluster of 3 wards
Overhead rate	10% of direct costs — standard NGO institutional overhead
Contingency	5% of total personnel costs
GST / taxes	Not included — to be added as applicable if Panchayat issues a formal work order

§ 02

Phase-Wise Budget Summary

Phase	Description	Weeks	Amount (Rs.)
Phase I	Preparation & Scoping	1–4	1,49,000
Phase II	Primary Data Collection (volunteers in field)	5–10	10,39,400
Phase II-B	Institutional & Policy Audit (parallel)	9–10	84,000
Phase III	Data Processing & Analysis	11–13	1,39,000
Phase IV	Community Validation	14–15	1,29,000
Phase V	Audit Report & Inclusion Action Plan	16–18	1,39,000
Phase VI	Monitoring & Handover	Month 5+	1,08,000
Cross-Cutting Items (Training, Technology, Overhead, Audit)			2,20,000
TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET			≈ 19,67,400

§ 03

Milestone Payment Schedule

#	Milestone & Trigger Document	Due	Release
M1	MoU signed + Training camp conducted. Trigger: Signed MoU + volunteer attendance register.	End of Week 1	30%
M2	Primary data collection complete. Trigger: Data submission report + supervisor sign-off.	End of Week 10	30%
M3	Draft report submitted for validation. Trigger: Draft report + ward validation meeting minutes.	End of Week 15	25%
M4	Final report + Action Plan adopted by Panchayat. Trigger: Final report + Panchayat resolution.	End of Week 18	15%

§ 04

Funding Source Mapping

Funding Source	Suggested Amount	Applicable Components
Panchayat Own Fund (14th/15th FC grants)	Rs.3,00,000	Volunteer honoraria, ward meetings, report printing
DRDA / District Disability Fund	Rs.2,00,000	Assistive device mapping, entitlement camp, facility audit
CSR Partner (local industry / bank)	Rs.2,00,000	Technology, training, GIS, overhead
MAGICS/CIF Internal Funds	Rs.1,00,000	Personnel time, coordination, quality assurance
NHM / State Disability Programme	Rs.1,00,000	Health facility audit, ASHA training component
Volunteer contribution (in-kind)	Rs.50,000	Personal phones, local knowledge, community access

§ 05

20-Week Implementation Gantt Chart

Legal Instrument | Template

Memorandum of Understanding

For the Panchayat / Municipality / Corporation Disability Audit. Covers 16 articles, 6 schedules, volunteer undertaking, and full abbreviations list.

Gram PanchayatMunicipalityCorporation3-Year ValidityKerala LSGD

Government of Kerala · Local Self-Government Department

Memorandum of Understanding

for the Panchayat / Municipality / Corporation Disability Audit

Party 1

____________________________

Gram Panchayat / Municipality / Corporation
______________ District, Kerala

AND

Party 2

Community Innovation Foundation

with MAGICS NGO / CEDAC
Kochi, Kerala

Valid for three (3) years from date of signing, renewable by mutual consent

Recitals

Whereas Clauses

WHEREAS the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 mandates that every local body shall maintain an updated register of PWDs, designate a disability welfare officer, ensure barrier-free access to all public infrastructure, and make disability-inclusive plans with dedicated budgetary allocations;

WHEREAS the UN CRPD, ratified by India in 2007, and Kerala LSGD guidelines require local bodies to systematically assess and address barriers faced by persons with disabilities;

WHEREAS CIF-MAGICS has developed and proposes to implement a comprehensive Panchayat Disability Audit using nine validated tools across seven domains;

WHEREAS the Local Body recognises the value of such an audit in informing its annual planning, budgeting, and scheme convergence for persons with disabilities;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein, the Parties agree as follows:

Articles

Key Obligations

ARTICLE 3 Obligations of the Local Body

3.1 Designation: Designate a nodal officer (Secretary or above) as primary contact within 7 days of signing. Issue formal letter of authorisation to CIF-MAGICS and each Volunteer batch.

3.2 Data & Records: Share all available records — disability register, ward-wise household lists, UDID data, annual plan documents, scheme implementation records.

3.3 Community Facilitation: Instruct Ward Members to assist Volunteers. Make available venues for training camp and community validation meetings at no cost wherever possible.

3.4 Utilisation of Findings: Incorporate Audit findings into the Local Body Annual Plan within the immediately following financial year. Adopt a formal Panchayat resolution within 60 days of receiving the final Report. Designate a ward member as Disability Focal Point within 90 days.

3.5 Financial Contribution: Contribute towards the Audit cost per Schedule 3, released by milestones.

ARTICLE 4 Obligations of CIF-MAGICS

4.1 Design & Quality: Conduct the Audit per the methodology in Schedule 1. Develop, translate into Malayalam, and field-test all nine tools. Recruit, train, and supervise all Volunteers per the approved Training Curriculum.

4.2 Ethics & Data Protection: Obtain informed consent in Malayalam from every respondent. Anonymise all individual-level data in public outputs. Comply with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

4.3 Reporting & Deliverables: Deliver all outputs per Schedule 4. Produce the final Audit Report in English and Malayalam. Provide the complete dataset in CSV/Excel at close of Project Period.

4.4 Community Validation: Conduct mandatory ward-level and Panchayat-level validation meetings before finalising the Report.

4.5 Financial Accountability: Maintain separate project accounts. Submit audited financial statements within 60 days of project completion.

ARTICLE 5 Joint Coordination Committee (JCC)

A JCC shall be constituted within 15 days, comprising: the President/Chairperson/Mayor (Co-Chair); Local Body Secretary (Member); two elected Ward Members including one woman (Members); CIF Project Director (Co-Chair); MAGICS/CEDAC Field Coordinator (Member-Secretary); and one PWD representative from the area (Member).

The JCC shall meet at least once every 4 weeks during the active project period and review all reports, approve validation arrangements, and oversee dissemination of the Audit Report.

ARTICLE 6 Data Ownership & IP

Audit Data is jointly owned by the Local Body and CIF-MAGICS. The Audit Report, Action Plan, DII framework, and all tools remain the IP of CIF-MAGICS. The Local Body receives a perpetual, royalty-free licence for its own governance and planning purposes.

ARTICLE 9 Duration & Termination

This MoU is valid for 3 years from signing. Either Party may terminate with 60 days' written notice. Immediate termination triggers: material breach unremedied within 30 days; fraud or wilful misconduct; court order.

Reporting

Progress Report Schedule

Report	Name	Timing	Format
R1	Project Commencement Report	End of Week 1	Written, 2 pages
R2	Mid-Field Progress Report	End of Week 8	Written + data screenshot
R3	Data Collection Completion Report	End of Week 10	Written + app submission summary
R4	Preliminary Findings Brief	End of Week 13	Bilingual (for validation meetings)
R5	Community Validation Summary	End of Week 15	Written record of all meetings
R6	Final Audit Report	End of Week 18	Full bilingual report + dataset
R7	Phase VI Monitoring Report	6 months post-audit	Written, action plan status update

Schedule 5

Volunteer Confidentiality Undertaking

VOLUNTEER CONFIDENTIALITY & ETHICS UNDERTAKING

Panchayat Disability Audit — Community Innovation Foundation & MAGICS NGO/CEDAC

I, ____________________________, son/daughter/child of ____________________________, studying at / residing at ____________________________, hereby solemnly undertake as follows:

I will treat all information shared by respondents as strictly confidential and will not disclose it to any person outside the authorised audit team.
I will obtain oral informed consent in Malayalam from every respondent before commencing any survey.
I will not photograph any person without their explicit written consent.
I will not falsify, alter, or fabricate any data. Data falsification is grounds for immediate removal from the programme.
I will conduct myself with dignity and respect at all times, especially with persons with disabilities and their caregivers.
I will submit all completed forms and devices to my supervisor at the end of each field day.

Volunteer Signature

Date

Ward Assigned

Signatures

In Witness Whereof

For the Local Body

Signature & Seal

Name

Designation

Date

For CIF-MAGICS

Signature & Seal

Name

Dr. Praveen G Pai, Chairman — MAGICS NGO/CEDAC

Date

Panchayat-Level Disability Audit Framework

Background & Purpose

Guiding Principles

Rights-Based Approach

Nothing About Us Without Us

ICF Framework

Volunteer-Deliverable

Data to Action

Living Document

Disability Categories Covered

The Seven Audit Domains

Key Sub-Areas

Key Sub-Areas

Key Sub-Areas

Key Sub-Areas

Key Sub-Areas

Key Sub-Areas

Key Sub-Areas

Phased Implementation Plan

Audit Tool Suite

Volunteer Roles

Survey Volunteer

Infrastructure Auditor

Interview Volunteer

Facility Auditor

Expected Deliverables

Policy & Scheme Alignment

Audit Tool Designs

General Instructions for All Volunteers

HSF — Household Survey Form

IAC — Infrastructure Accessibility Checklist

Sites to Audit Per Ward

IAC Accessibility Rating Scale

CPS — Community Perception Survey

Community Positive Attitude Index (CPAI)

EMT — Entitlement Mapping Tool

Training Curriculum & Facilitator Guide

Programme Timetable

Session Plans

Role-Play Scenario Cards

Scenario Card 1 — Survey Volunteer

Scenario Card 2 — Interview Volunteer

Scenario Card 3 — Interview Volunteer

Scenario Card 4 — Survey Volunteer

Daily Fieldwork Targets

Volunteer Pledge

Malayalam Pledge (Read Together at Closing Ceremony)

Disability Inclusion Index

DII Structure & Domain Weights

Domain Weights — Visual

Master Scoring Formula

Sub-Dimension Specifications

DII Performance Tiers

Key Rules

Critical Computation Rules

Budget & Implementation Schedule

Total Budget

Project Duration

Volunteer Force

Milestones

Key Budget Assumptions

Phase-Wise Budget Summary

Milestone Payment Schedule

Funding Source Mapping

20-Week Implementation Gantt Chart

Memorandum of Understanding

Memorandum of Understanding

Whereas Clauses

Key Obligations

Progress Report Schedule

Volunteer Confidentiality Undertaking

In Witness Whereof

For the Local Body

For CIF-MAGICS