Facilitating formal and informal organisations of People with Disabilities remains an important priority. To-date, 73 Disability Self Help Groups (SHG's), six OPWD's have been facilitated. These groups have also been integrated into the Taluk, District and State Federations of PWD's. These groups have already started taking proactive roles in address-

ing disability issues, in organising awareness programmes, and in mobilising local support.
The OPWD's with whom we partner today are Navachetana in Raichur; Prathidhwani in Deodurg; Navashakthi in Koppal; Yuvashakthi in Sirwar; Navachaitanya in Haliyal; and Asha Kiran in Kowtal.

Highlights 2002

Navachaitanya & Navashakthi Registered : A critical achievement was the registration under the Societies Registration Act of Navachaitanya and Navashakthi in April and November 2002 respectively.

4th State Disability Network Meet : The 4th State Disability Network meeting at Raichur was attended by 98 delegates from nine districts.

Nodal Officers Meetings at Taluk Level : Government Disability Nodal Officers’ meetings were facilitated at the taluk level. These meetings encourage better interaction between PWD's and nodal officers, and allow the latter to take a closer look at PWD problems and to try to solve them more effectively.

SAMUHA’s disability interventions are implemented by SAMARTHYA. SAMARTHYA translates as ‘potential’ and works to develop the potential of people with disabilities in the districts of Raichur, Koppal and Uttara Kannada. SAMARTHYA offers weekly assessment clinics, home-based follow-up services, disability workshops for the production of aids and appliances, and policy advocacy using participative information processes.

KEY LEARNINGS:

SHG's and OPWD's are basic building blocks in PWD's participating in and taking ownership of processes that affect their lives. These provide forums that allow PWD's to meet, share issues and provide support to each other. These forums also allow PWD's to begin to believe that as a group they can change things, and to start working towards specific actions that they have identified for themselves. As in/formal associations, these also provide platforms for thrift and income generation activities.

The Disability Act provides a genuine opportunity for PWD's to work towards increased access to aids and appliances, social security benefits, and to advocate on issues of mobility and access. Because of the Act, basic issues can now be dealt with as a ‘right’, rather than as an act of charity that needs to be begged for.

IN THE PIPELINE...

... a Disability Awareness and Advocacy programme in six districts of north Karnataka with the support of the State Disability Network.

... OPWD Information and Guidance Centres in Manvi, Deodurg and Haliyal.

... orientation programmes for Government staff, Panchayat members and PWD's on housing and poverty alleviation schemes available for PWD's.