The department of empowerment of persons with disabilities under the ministry of social justice and empowernment, through these EIC's seeks to eliminate or reduce the severity of disabilities at an early stage so that kids can achieve their full potential. To begin with ECIs have been set-up in seven componsite regional centres across states as a pilot project that will be scaled up eventually. Officials, explain that the EICs in each of the NI will be equipped to screen and intervene in respect of all categories of disabilities covered under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. With no such facilities and specialised personnel for rehabilitation of children with disabilities available at the district and sub-district levels, these EICs are being citied as models that can be eventually replicated by states at the grassroots to enable access to families at the neighbourhood level. The seven EICs at are located in Kolkata, Cuttack, Mumbai, Dehardun, Delhi, and Chennai. The seven centres at composite regional centres are at lucknow, Patna, and Bhopal. According to officials early intervention can provide specialised support and services for infants and young children at-risk or with disability or developmental delay and their families to help their development, well-being and participation in family and community life, Research studies suggest that early childhood is the most critical phase of brain development. Therefore providing quality childhood intervention early in life helps to develop the skills needed to enable a child to lead an independent and dignified life, an official said. So Far, each national institute is serving a particular category of disability but the EIC in all these institutes will be equipped to screen and intervene in respect of all categories of disabilities. As per the project plan, the EICs will provide identification or risk cases and refer the child for appropriate rehabilitative services.
