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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.
SAMUHAs
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.
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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.
| I want to try my hand at everything.
I want to prove that disability is never a limiting factor....
Krishna, OPWD member, Deodurg |
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IMPORTANT
STATISTICS:
OPWDS:
6; Members: 652
SHG's: 73; Members: 707
District Disability Networks: 3
Local Cultural Troupes: 4
PWD's helped to access resources: 1600
MATERIALS
PRODUCED:Video documentation of views
of PWD's on the provision of 3% reservation for PWD's
in government housing schemes.
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