LUCKNOW, Jan. 8 -- The Uttar Pradesh government has taken fresh initiatives to strengthen the holistic rehabilitation of persons (PwDs) with disabilities, with a focus on ensuring equal access to education, skill development, healthcare and employment, officials said in a statement issued on Wednesday. As part of the effort, the government has implemented the 'Scheme for Assistance to Voluntary Organisations for Holistic Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities', under which eligible voluntary organisations will be provided financial grants to run rehabilitation programmes. Under this scheme, assistance will be provided for 21 types of disabilities as defined in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, while mentally challenged and mentally ill persons with disabilities have been excluded from its purview. The government aims to build a robust system for the rehabilitation of disabled children and youth of various categories by providing them with facilities for early intervention, education, training, and skill development, officials said. Narendra Kashyap, the minister of state (independent charge) for backward classes welfare and empowerment of persons with disabilities, directed officials to ensure effective implementation of schemes related to the rehabilitation of PwDs at the grassroots level. Under the scheme, important works such as the establishment of early intervention centres, operation of day-care centres and pre-primary schools, operation of special schools from primary to high school level, skill development programmes for persons with disabilities, creation of study material, availability of Braille and assistive devices, among others....