:: VIKASH :: Disability

"Equalization of opportunities" is the central theme and guiding philosophy for the achievement of full participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of social and economic life. It is a process through which the general system of society, such as the physical and cultural environment, housing and transportation, social and health services, educational and work opportunities, cultural and social life, including sports and recreational facilities, are made accessible to all.

“Nothing about us without us” is the philosophy of work. Vikash is promoting association of disabled people at village, cluster, district and state level. People with different kinds of disabilities form associations of their own to advocate for their rights. Grass root organizations at rural level are involving hundreds of persons, who have never heard of associations. Vikash is working as a facilitator of these organizations.

Groups are formed at village level and associations are formed at block level covering a population of 150 thousand. The organizations take the responsibility of educating the members and the community about disability related issues. They organize health camps and help the members to get benefit of the Government Schemes. They lobby with the Government officials for availing the benefits. They also take up human rights issues affecting disabled persons. Policy issues at the state level is taken by the federation of these associations called Bhinnakshyam Mahasangha, Orissa (Orissa Forum for Differently Abled).

More about associations is available at devorissa.org/Bhinnakshyam Mahasangha

Activities

Inclusive Education : is a key theme of the mission. It is a relatively new approach since special schools were promoted earlier. Along with advocacy and campaign Vikash is also taking up pilot projects to show the way.

CBR worker tarining children in a pre-school

Preparatory School : Preparatory schools are organized at community level. The local trained volunteers managed the pre-schools. They are regularly supported by therapist and rehabilitation managers. The children with different kinds of impairments like Speech, Hearing, Orthopaedic, MR, CP, epilepsy attend the schools. They are prepared to attend the schools along with general children. These children after getting admission into general schools also visit the preparatory schools for a year or so for upgrading their learning and behavioural skills.

ADLS - Many children with intellectual impairments and CP need training and orientation to execute their daily living skills like cleaning, combing, eating etc. independently. They are trained by the therapists and community based rehab. workers.

Assistance to Children : The Children while in pre-schools or attending general schools are given educational support like learning materials, extra tutorial services etc.

CBR worker tarining children in a pre-school

Teachers' Training : The teachers of general schools are oriented on the methods of adopting the disabled children into the mainstream. The peer groups of the children with disabilities are also oriented on the subject.

Infrastructure Development : Small infrastructure which makes a big difference to mobility is supported by the project in the general schools

Assistive Devices : Assistive devices like hearing aid, wheel chair, tri-cycle, crutches, artificial limbs, modified shoe etc. are arranged for the needy persons. Steps are also taken to modify the equipments to suit to the child needs.

CBR worker tarining children in a pre-school

Prevention : means measures aimed at preventing the onset of mental, physical and sensory impairments (primary prevention) or at preventing impairment, when it has occurred, from having negative physical, psychological and social consequences.

Awareness : Awareness programmes are organized to educate the community. Folk media programmes are quiet effective in this regard. Regular publications are arranged for general education. Campaigns for universal use of vaccines are organized.

Rehabilitation : means a goal-oriented and time-limited process aimed at enabling an impaired person to reach an optimum mental, physical and/or social functional level, thus providing her or him with the tools to change her or his own life. It can involve measures intended to compensate for a loss of function or a functional limitation (for example by technical aids) and other measures intended to facilitate social adjustment or readjustment. .

Therapy : Counselling is the beginning of any therapy. Following which Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, ADLS training, speech therapy, behavioural training etc. are provided to the members of the programmes. Care is taken to transfer the skills to the parents.

Economic Rehabilitation : Economic rehabilitation is the ultimate effort in achieving independent living. Vikash facilitates economic empowerment programmes by organizing vocational training programmes, EDP training, arranging credit through self-help groups and supporting group based micro-enterprise programmes. Self help groups of disabled persons are formed at village level and their unions are formed at block level. These unions work in collaboration with the women’s self help unions.

Social Rehabilitation : Vikash aims at seeing disabled persons taking their own leadership and ultimately taking leadership in the general society. Hence, it promotes leadership development and facilitates creation of social space for the leaders.

Leprosy Patients Rehabilitation : Vikash has a strong history of leprosy work. In the late 80s Vikash was primarily working for access to multi drug therapy by all leprosy affected persons. Subsequently it worked for integration for leprosy patients in the community by organizing awareness programmes and socialization camps. In early 90s it ventured into micro-credit with leprosy affected persons. It also had established a sheltered workshop for leprosy affected women in begging. The workshop was producing spares for TV and Radio sets. At present the rehabilitation programme for leprosy affected persons is integrated into the general disabled persons rehabilitation programmes. However, it is still continuing with a specific micro-credit programme for leprosy affected persons.

Institution Building : To carry forward the stated objectives with regard to disabled persons, Vikash promotes specialized organizations and institutions. For protection of rights it has facilitated formation and strengthening of disabled persons association. For extending quality rehabilitation services Vikash has facilitated establishment of a institution called “Mukti Institute for Rehabilitation”.

More about it can be found at www.muktiinstitutions.org .