Empowerment is when people recognize that they alone can change their situation and then begin to do so. To succeed, they may need support from family, community or civil society.

The programme has mobilized 416 people with disabilities and their family members to form 21 Sanghas (Self Help Groups) groups in the various slums of the project. Regular leadership training programmes are conducted to facilitate common objectives, vision and a common goal of rights of people with disabilities. Copies of the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995 have been distributed and have helped families know their rights and schemes available under the same.

Sangha members are positive force for change as they take on responsibilities of getting children enrolled in school, monitoring school attendance and lobbying government agencies for better rehabilitation services for disabled children.

Sanghas also encourage the habit of savings. Members who save regularly are eligible for loans and many set up small businesses and began to earn regular incomes. More …

Forming Disabled People’s Organizations (DPO’s)

“Nothing about us without us” emphasizes the importance of people with disabilities defining their own problems and being involved in the solutions. To initiate this, it is important that they are sensitized to the existing problems and situations. 30 people participated in an orientation programme for the same. The sessions included –

• Sharing Individual experiences , challenges & achievements

• Group Discussions on Challenges in local areas and action plans to address the same

 There are currently 2 DPO’s in the project area each havening 15 members. The groups have had regular training and orientation sessions on disability issues to build their capacities