Jamshedpur, Aug. 20: The state has addressed 6,500 cases out of 7,000 complaints lodged by the disabled in last two years and will open 16 residential schools for the differently abled, state disability commissioner Satish Chandra said today.

Chandra, in the steel city to attend several programmes, said: “Most complaints were related to getting government jobs under three per cent reservation category for disabled and the non-issuance of disability certificate.”

He invited the disabled to email their grievances to sdc.jharkhand@gmail.com or call 0651-2401825.

The disability commissioner said the state was keen to improve education infrastructure for the disabled.

“The state is coming up with 16 residential schools for the disabled in districts, where needy students will get free education, food and lodging,” he said.

Seraikela, Chaibasa, Chakradharpur, Dhanbad, Gumla, Bokaro, Deoghar, Palamau and Dumka have already been earmarked for the new schools. Schools in Seraikela, Chaibasa and Chakradharpur will be meant for the visually impaired and deaf and mute.

Infrastructure is ready in Chaibasa and Chakradharpur while construction is on in full swing in Seraikela.

“In the first phase, schools will be set up in rural pockets while urban areas will be targeted in the second phase,” Chandra added.

Chandra visited Jeevika, a school for the mentally-challenged in Sonari, School for Hope at Centre for Excellence and a training centre for the disabled at Bagbera.

Chandra also handed over certificates to 51 caregivers at Day Care Centre run by Parents’ Association of Mentally Handicapped of Jamshedpur.