A Report

22nd September 2008

Transcribe and Documentation by

Ms. Anjlee Agarwal

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Inauguration of ARUNIM at

Speaker Hall, Constitutional Club, Rafi Marg, New Delhi

PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

Time Activity 12.00 – 12.10 pm Lighting the Lamp, presentation of bouquet & gifts and prayer song 12.10 – 12.17 pm Welcome Address by JS&CEO, National Trust & Presentation on ARUNIM &

Abiline 12.17 – 12.21 pm Address by Chairperson, National Trust

12.21 – 12.25 pm Address by Additional Secretary, Social Justice & Empowerment

12.25 – 12.30 pm Address by Secretary, Social Justice & Empowerment

12.30 – 12.35 pm Address by Smt. Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan, MoS, Social Justice &

Empowerment

12.35 – 12.40 pm Launch of ARUNIM by Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam; Logo presentation by Dr. Kalam to Chairperson of ARUNIM; Launch of the booklet & Abiline (Helpline)

12.40 – 12.56 pm Address by Chief Guest, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, Former President of India 12.56 – 12.58 pm Vote of Thanks by Chairperson, ARUNIM12.58 – 12.59 pm Group Photograph along with Board Member of ARUNIM 12.59 – 01.00 pm National Anthem 01.00 – 01.30 pm Lunch 2.30 - 5.30 pm

ARUNIM Workshop

S. No. Particulars Page No.

1. Lighting the Lamp, presentation of bouquet & gifts and prayer song

3

2.

Welcome Address by JS&CEO, National Trust & Presentation on ARUNIM & Abiline

4

3.

Address by Chairperson, National Trust 5

4. Address by Additional Secretary, Social Justice & Empowerment

6

5.

Address by Secretary, Social Justice & Empowerment 6

6. Address by Smt. Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan, MoS, Social Justice & Empowerment

6

7. Launch of ARUNIM by Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam

7

8. Introduction to Abiline (Helpline) by Mrs. Radhika Alkaji 7 9. ARUNIM Workshop 9 10. Mrs. Poonam Natrajan, Chairperson, NT 10

11. Presentations 12 12. Group Activity 14

CONTENTS

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Lighting the Lamp

All the distinguished Guests proceeded to light the traditional lamp and formally inaugurated ARUNIM.

Presentation of bouquet & gifts There after, Mr. Arvinder Singh welcomed and presented a bouquet of flowers to Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. • Sunny welcomed MoS, Smt. Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MSJE) • Rashi welcomed Secretary, MSJE • Sunny welcomed and presented a bouquet of flowers to Chairperson National Trust, Mrs. Poonam

Natrajan • Rashi welcomed Mrs. Sangita Gairola, Additional Secretary, MSJE • Mr. Arvinder Singh welcomed Mrs. Purnima Singh, Joint Secretary, DD, MSJE Baby Benzy sang a prayer song “Ashaayein Ummedein” followed by presentation of momento to Dr. Kalam by Khusboo Pandey and Nilesh Singh.

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Welcome Address by JS&CEO, National Trust & presentation on ARUNIM & Abiline Hon’ble Dr. Kalam; Smt. Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan; Shri K. M. Acharya; Smt. Sangita Gairola; Chairperson National Trust, Smt. Poonam Natrajan; Chairperson ARUNIM; Smt. Sminu Jindal; Chairperson RCI General Ian Cardozo; Joint Secretary Mrs. Purnima Singh and all members of board National Trust and ARUNIM; NGO representative; our Abiline partner Aarth-Astha; all the stake holders, media persons and dear children. It’s a great pleasure and honour to welcome you to this historic moment and launch of a special marketing federation and special helpline for very special people. ARUNIM stands for Association for Rehabilitation Under National Trust Initiative of Marketing. Let me quickly take you along how it all happen. We know that National Trust (NT) was set up for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation & Multiple Disabilities. To find an answer to the parents major query, “what happen to my child when I am no more?” in order to find answer to this very very difficult question, NT tries to address the issues of legal guardianship, inclusion of persons with disabilities (PwDs), generate community awareness among all the stake holders, building capacitates of our NGOs and economic empowerment of PwDs. When we talk about economic empowerment, let us take two parameters- one about the employment issues concerning PwDs and see what economic activities they can do. What intuitively we know, and what is also supported by the World Bank report; we found that PwDs are not even considered in the Labour force. This report also includes senior citizens and that is why when we talk about our four disabilities and women with disabilities, the situation is even bad! What will the PwDs do if they are not in the labour force at all? Female are mostly engaged, if at all they are engaged, in the domestic force. Most of the time they are not considered as able to work. This is owing to not because of their disability but because of lack of access, adaptations, awareness and opportunities that are available in the society. So when they are not in the labour force, they work in rehabilitation centre or sheltered workshops run by NGOs and make candles, files, paper products, food and textile products, etc. No market survey is done for the products, product is of very low cost and volume, there is no product or quality standardization, different quality, shape and design; production process is slow and manual. There is no effort to get economy of scale benefits. Because of their limited financial resources & capacity, there is no inventory capacity. There is more of charity approach in the sheltered workshop. It is more of a time pass for them, with no commercial consideration and no networking. In order to find solution to this we thought of ARUNIM which is:

• The Facilitator – of Resource Persons, Designers, Trainers, to help in Skill Development, Product Development, Design Enhancement, Business Skill Training and so on

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• The Marketer – of products made by persons with moderate-severe disabilities, by finding markets, sourcing raw material, distributing, promoting and involving Corporate sector in support of the initiatives

In this backdrop we consider ARUNIM, to have all India character- All India Marketing Federation and will have:

• Membership - Annual, Life time, or for different period • Board of Directors - 15 Directors, 3 years tenure • Initial Corpus by National Trust - Rs. 1 crore is earmarked and Rs. 10 lakh pa Grant for 3 years

Possible Advantages that we are targeting at are:

• Ensure Professional Approach • Provide an Institutional Arrangement • Develop a Brand Image –in future we shall see more ARUNIM products such as – masalas (spices) as

we see Amul products. • Ensure Leveraging & Benefits of Economy of Scale

I am very confident that in future this will ensure PwDs to live a life with dignity. The other important element for this purpose is right kind of information, at the right time from the right type of people. With this view we launched Abiline in collaboration with Aarth-Astha. It is a helpline with a difference from the stereotyped helpline where you hear a pre-recorded message. It covers wide range of information such as laws & rights, cross disability issues, facilities & schemes, health, education and collection, collation & analysis of data. The unique feature of this Abiline is that it focuses on the Ability and not the Disability of the disable person. Professional & Personal Approach is provided through counselor and rehabilitation professionals to find the true meaning of discovering abilities. In the end I conclude with the statement – quote of Helen Keller- “the World is moved along not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of tiny pushes of each honest worker”. Thank you and a very warm welcome to everyone. ****************************************************************************************************************************** Address by Smt. Poonam Natrajan, Chairperson, National Trust Hon’ble Dr. Kalam; Smt. Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan; Shri K. M. Acharya; Smt. Sangita Gairola; Major General Ian Cardozo; Mrs. Purnima Singh; Atul Prasad; Sminu Jindal and all board members of National Trust and ARUNIM; NGO representative and friends. Sanjeev, I want to thank you for the beautiful song “Jeevan se na har jeene wale” which motivated us through out our lives. For very long the sheltered workshops run by special schools had less motivation than the household industry. People did not produce much as they did not know how to market the product and produce good quality product. ARUNIM is going to change all that. I think the answer to the question “what happen to my child when I am no more?” lies in building capability and capacity and teaching skills is very important and adults with disabilities must become self reliant and contributing members of the community. We have a wonderful board in ARUNIM comprising people from the Corporate, disability sector, PwDs and designers form NID. We are trying to design the products which are possible with the strengths of our stakeholders. These have to conform to the hand functions, eye hand co-ordinations. I am fully confident that these products will find market internationally and with in our country and our main dream is that people should earn a living wage at least Rs. 3000/- per month. They should be able to contribute to their families. Thank you so very much for making the dream come true. Very warm welcome to all of you.

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Address by Smt. Sangita Gairola, Additional Secretary, Ministry Social Justice & Empowerment Hon’ble Dr. Kalam; Smt. Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan; Shri K. M. Acharya; Chairperson National Trust, Smt. Poonam Natrajan, Major General Ian Cardozo; Mrs. Jindal, colleagues from the Ministry, ladies and gentleman and dear children. We have seen the immense talent that PwDs possess. The harnessing of this talent in this manner that will enable them to create marketable products is now sought to be addressed through this initiative. I think this was a step that was long required and it will require lot of convergence and effort by the NT, to take forward the initiative of ARUNIM. While the Ministry does support lot of NGOs who are imparting skills and vocational trainings, how to get these NGOs together for harnessing their potential in a particular direction will be a major challenge. I wish all the best to NT for this endeavor and I look forward to see ARUNIM reach great heights. ****************************************************************************************************************************** Address by Shri K. M. Acharya, Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Hon’ble Dr. Kalam; Smt. Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan; Chairperson National Trust, Chairperson RCI; my colleagues from the Ministry, CEO of National Trust; Ms. Jindal; members of the NT Board and ARUNIM ladies and gentleman. Its give me great pleasure to be present here. It’s a landmark day to be able provide design and marketing support to the products of PwDs which NT deals with. It is a relationship which is long over due and I am really happy and congratulate NT and ARUNIM both for having taken this initiative. Many good things have small beginnings. As the Chinese proverb which says that “journey of thousand miles, begins with a single step”. This is truly a step in the right direction. I will like to assure the Board members of ARUNIM that MSJE will support them. Dr. Kalam, Sir, I will like to say that I am really privileged to have you here on this particular day. We are all aware of your very deep commitment to the cause of PwDs, therefore it is very very befitting that you are here. I also like to express my special gratitude to Hon’ble MoS for sparing her time and I am sure with your blessings and with the guidance of Hon’ble Union Minister, SJE, ARUNIM will make rapid progress. Thank you very much. ****************************************************************************************************************************** Address by Smt. Subbulakshmi Jagdeesan, MoS, MSJE Hon’ble Dr. Kalam, former President of India; Secretary and Additional Secretary, MSJE; Poonam Natrajan Chairperson National Trust; Mrs. Jindal, all the board members of ARUNIM, distinguished guests, parents and special children. It gives me immense pleasure to be here today to participate in the inauguration of ARUNIM under the NT initiative. I am very keen to see major changes coming about in the lives of persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation & Multiple Disabilities, which come under the umbrella term developmental disabilities. I was fortunate to participate in some of the other recent launches of the National Trust such as Gyan Prabha, Uddyam Prabha and Niramaya schemes. While persons with minor disabilities, can pursue education in mainstream schools and some of the disabled can invest money to start an enterprise or find open placements. Those with severe and profound disabilities do not have the infrastructural support to seek open placements. Most of them work in the sheltered workshops. However, there are limitations in the same. The products made are easily replicable and the quality is not good as in the market. The cost of the products is high, given the low productivity. Special educator has their hands full and do not have any marketing skills. Therefore products are sold mostly at melas organized by organizations. It is need of the hour to sell these products in the real market in the outside world. I understand ARUNIM is the step towards this end that is required in the sheltered workshop today.

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ARUNIM will facilitate better quality products by involving acclaimed and professional designers and it will facilitate better rates and adaptations for persons with poor hand function by involving engineers. ARUNIM will also bring professional training in the sheltered workshops. In short ARUNIM will make sheltered workshop viable business enterprise. ARUNIM seems to me to be a very positive step that will bring many with developmental disabilities with in the employed and empowered group. I congratulate the NT for coming up with this idea of an independent marketing federation. I wish ARUNIM all the success in the future. Hon’ble Dr. Kalam formally launched ARUNIM by presenting Logo to Mrs. S. Jindal, Chairperson of ARUNIM. He also released a 32 page booklet on how to organize “Ability Mela”. The booklet which is in English and also beautifully translated in Telugu by Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, is proposed to be made available in many more languages like Hindi, Gujarati, Bengali etc. Introduction to Abiline (Helpline) by Mrs. Radhika Alkaji during launch by Dr. Kalam

Abiline is the Ability line for PwDs, their families and anyone else who is seeking information about entitlement and rights of PwDs. You can call us, come and meet the counselor or email us for information. The Abiline works by proactively providing information. It works by enabling people to find the right links, organizations and support structures. In order to achieve this, Sir, the Abiline works constantly to upgrade its knowledge on wide range of areas. This enables us to reach out to people and make information accessible. Thank you.

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Address by Chief Guest, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, Former President of India Friends my greetings to all of you this morning. I have prepared a big speech but as you all say I will share my experiences. I have come across four great people who are unique, distinct and are special people.

When I was the President, one day I went to Coimbatore and no. of people were meeting me and one person came in the wheelchair in the night. I don’t know how he negotiated as I was on the second floor. This person did not have two hands and legs. When I asked him what I can do for you, he said I want you to hear the song which you like.

He sang the song beautifully and tears came out of all people who were present there. He was a wonderful exponent of Carnatic music and I invited to Rashtrapati Bhawan for a performance. After the performance we gave standing ovation to him but he could not stand. Friends this is Arunim has to find out such type of people also as god has given them beautiful talent.

Another instance- I was at Vigyan Bhawan giving away musical awards. One old lady without vision (visually handicap person) asked me can I sing a song for you. It was a beautiful song in Tamil mesmerized the whole audience.

The third person is a good friend of mine, when ever I reach Madras this guy came with a laptop. This mans words do not come properly, he is slightly mentally and physically retarded, but he is a successful manager of a bank. Vidyasagar has discovered this fellow.

So we have to look for the talents. Today while lighting the lamp, I asked the smiling lady her name. She is Sminu Jindal, who is an entrepreneur. She had an accident in which her spinal cord is damaged but she is smiling.

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Friends the four instance that I was telling you, ARUNIM should absorb this. You can give any type of training but every 10%you will find a talent. ARUNIM should look out for such talent and have the best of singers, painters, artists, entrepreneur etc.

I am delighted to inaugurate the initiative named ARUNIM and very happy to know that 2000 persons each year will be benefitted. How to make it successful? Somewhere in Tamil Nadu, a place called Vellam, where there is a women engineering college, which has taken 64 villages with 100,000 people, that transformed the area by providing urban amenities. The unique thing about this is that- the members of the engineering college have created a strategic partnered with an organization Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) based is in Delhi. What ever product the special children/ people have created, they show to JETRO and for the last two years, with the raw materials available in Tanjavaur, they developed prototype of 123 products such as bed covers, cushions, bread baskets, etc with the help of intensive interaction with Japanese. JETRO took 40 products out of them for the international market. These products were also exhibited in Delhi and Tokyo. The feedback from each exhibition has been used in improving the product so that customer acceptability of the products gets enhanced. This co-operative venture has enhanced the innovative ability of the village people and transformed them to develop and produce internationally accepted products. This is the message I want to give to you, don’t hold it with yourself, show your products to JETRO- take to Tokyo market and technological value addition will be done by them

Finally I would like to say that I participated in Conferment of Training Corporate Awards presentation, where I presented award to a food manufacturing company called Shakti masala. The company has been actively recruiting PwDs, NGOs, parents of PwDs and today one-third of work force is comprise of them. The children with CP, MR and MD are treated free of cost in the rehabilitation centre run by the company. They also provide pediatric therapy and physiotherapy.

I would like to conclude, in the rehabilitation process should aim at enabling persons with disabilities to reach and maintain optimal, physical, sensory, intellectual, psychological and other social functions. The most important need is to enlist the people for e.g. you have got a helpline and support group personnel who have love and passion for serving others. I would suggest ARUNIM to study these models and create a sound and marketable products based on locally easily available materials. It would be appropriate to have mixed population so that specially abled people can move into the mainstream fast.

With these words I inaugurate ARUNIM and best wishes to all the members for success in the mission of upgrading the quality of life of the specially abled people of the nation. May God bless you all.

I want everyone to repeat after me the following:

“I will defeat my inabilities by acquiring knowledge and experience. We are all gods children, our minds are stronger than diamond. We will win with our mighty will. When god is with us, who can be against.”

*****************************************************************************************************************************Vote of thanks by Mrs. Sminu Jindal

We are very happy that you are with us today. I also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Hon’ble MoS, Smt. Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan for extending all the support to this initiative of National Trust. Thank you Mr. Acharya for saying that you will support ARUNIM. Poonam ji without you this initiative would not be here. Mr. Atul Prasd ARUNIM has lot to thank you for all the hard work you put in all our MoU, rules regulations etc. Our sincere thanks to Mrs. Gairola and Mrs. Purnima Singh too. Our big thanks to NGOs for helping us with the translation of manual in regional languages - IICP, Kolkata, Aaina Orissa and BPA from Ahmadabad.

Last and not the least all the people present here to give their time to inaugurate and welcome ARUNIM. Thanks so much.

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ARUNIM WORKSHOP

Mr. Sumit Roy from Bhopal commenced the workshop with welcome address by Chitra in the absence of Mrs. Sminu Jindal, Chairperson ARUNIM.

ARUNIM is a path-breaking initiative of the National Trust, a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The National Trust Act came into force through an Act of Parliament in 1999 and governs the functioning of the Trust.

The National Trust seeks to answer the question asked by parents of persons with disabilities – specifically Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities – “What happens to my child when I’m no more?”

The objects of the National Trust are to enable Independence and Inclusion of persons with disability, and Community Participation in support and recognition of the Rights of the Disabled.

Among recent initiatives of the National Trust, are pioneering projects such as Gyan Prabha – a Scholarship scheme for those who would like to pursue studies; Udhyam Prabha – a Funding scheme to help self-employment initiatives among adults with disabilities, and Niramaya – a social security/insurance scheme to take care of medical needs of persons with disabilities.

ARUNIM is a step towards Economic Empowerment of persons with moderate to severe disabilities, who have limited opportunities for open placement. It is an independent Marketing Federation which will work for at least minimum wages for persons employed in sheltered/supported work environments, by facilitating skill development, innovative product designing and development, adaptations and mechanization where appropriate and feasible, Quality Assurance, and by marketing products made, using sound strategies in Product, Packaging, Pricing, Placing and Promotions.

ARUNIM is registered under Societies Registration Act 1860, and has Ms Sminu Jindal, Chairperson of Jindal SAW, in the Chair. The Board comprises a committed and enthusiastic team of professionals from the fields of Marketing, Product Design, Human Resources, Special Education, Law, and from the NGO sector working with persons with disabilities.

Proposed Activities of ARUNIM

• Develop skills of persons with disability through training from Designers and Special Educators • Facilitate use of appropriate adaptations and technology to improve productivity and quality of products • Expose organizations and entrepreneurs with disability, to business strategy and practices • Document good practices and products in the sector, among member organizations • Replicate successful products and practices and work for synergy and co-operative endeavors • Enable improvement in product design, where desirable, to make it competitive with the best in the market • Emulate successful initiatives in other marginalized sectors • Ensure minimum wages for all persons with disability working in sheltered/supported environs by

identifying sustainable products for sustainable markets • Nurture adherence to highest quality standards as a practice • Establish ARUNIM as a premium quality brand • Empower persons with disability with earning power, and sustainable livelihood options, and thus become

contributing members to society • Augment self-esteem among persons with disability, and respect and responsibility of the community for

their rights • Facilitate marketing ARUNIM products in India and abroad • Involve Corporate Institutions appropriately to fulfill Social Responsibility commitments • Engage with Government institutions to act in convergence towards the objective • Participate in fairs and festivals to showcase abilities of members • Establish exclusive outlets to market ARUNIM brand of products across the country. • Stand for excellent business practices with direct bearing on improving earning capacities of persons with

developmental disabilities.

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This was followed by small introduction and background on ARUNIM by Mrs. Poonam Natrajan, Chairperson, National Trust

Mrs. Poonam Natrajan introduced all the board members of Arunim begining with Mrs. Chitra Vasudeva who is Managing Director. Mrs. Thilikam Rajendran will soon be taking over from Chitra. Other board members are Sminu Jindal, Sumit Roy, Rama Chari, Anubhuti Mittal, Sharmila, Sandhya, Anuj Prasad, Bobby, Prema, Akhil Paul, Amita Joseph, Dwarka Pandurangi and Niranjan Khatri. These people will help us in taking the shelter workshops far beyond as a business enterprise.

All board members said a few words about the initiative.

• Anubhuti - It’s a big opportunity for standardization and marketing of goods and work towards equal opportunities for all.

• Rama Chari- It’s a big mission like Amul and as movement we are making a good beginning. • Prema- We should focus on the goal and I look forward to get to know each other and working with all of

you. • Sharmila- we make this organization very big and take it forward. I believe in myself and place the same

belief in you. • Sandhya- I want to take this initiative to a pinnacle where everybody shall look up to us. The products that

we are making should be liked by everybody. • Sumit – This is a small concept in my mind. The strengths of PwDs should be enriched so that they

automatically come to the forefront without us pushing forward and work towards economic independence. • Anuj- I want to give this encouragement to you that we are all together with you. Also we shall strive

towards economic independence for all. • Bobby- We will take this project ahead and market products so as to carve a niche of our own. • Thilikam- I want to say that today we have got this opportunity, on a very special day and in a special way.

Success is only achieved when we take full utilization of this opportunity. The dreams and aspirations of each student, PwD and family should be fulfilled by reaching out to them.

• Dwarka- We get engaged in the development of children and do not think about fund planning/ income flow. This prompted to conceptualize such an organization to fulfill a dream.

• Chitra- Lets live together to take ARUNIM forward together. ARUNIM is one in mind but many in body.

Shanti Auluck from Muskan added to what was said by the board members- It is long felt need as if without knowing how to swim, we were in the sea, now we have a guide to technical knowhow and marketing and can do better for bridging this gap.

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Mrs. Poonam Natrajan continued: “Doctors earlier advised only custodial care for persons with severe disabilities. From there the thought started that PwDs were isolated even if they were not in institution but at homes. Different kinds of medicines, god men and other things were practiced and medical model was more prevalent.

When we start NGOs, institutions where PwDs are only passive beneficiaries that is the old model now. As visually impaired, locomotor impaired and other PwDs, have gone forward; people with cerebral palsy, mental retardation etc. are not able to come forward. We have to change our thoughts that they can’t go for education/ employment etc.

PwDs have started saying “teach me skills and do not treat my ills”. Many children I have met started saying that they want to work towards UNCRPD; we have to commit to it. What we have is “evolving capacity of the person”, which is most important. Some parents say that MR does not have evolving capacity- his IQ is 2. What does that mean? IQ scores can change, if we start reading, thinking and working. We do not want to know how smart you are, we want to know what you are smart at!

On child was taught shape and colours for 30 years but could not distinguish them even after such a long period. We found that he was good at gardening, which was his strength. One NGO has remarked that they are “lifes” and shall continue like this, as if they are living in jail. I think we have not given them opportunities to make them contributing citizen of our society.

If we start sheltered workshops with this thought - don’t worry we will sell everything in Diwali Mela and give Rs. 100-200/- per person. But that is not the focus, we have to use the strength of the PwD for example- I want every child to be a tax payer. This morning Dr. Kalam told us about Siddharth who is now a tax payer. There is a legendary story about a disabled rich boy who becomes an architect and goes back to his village where his family was living in poverty and this boy supported his family.

Let us give space to our children, we have to look for answers and ARUNIM board had lots of excitement to find out as to what can be done, how it can be taken forward. I want to end with my favorite quote “knowledge is power but sharing knowledge is progress”.

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“DESIGN IMPROVEMENTS TO IMPROVE MARKETABILITY”

A power point presentation was given jointly by Sandhya and Anuj

Our background is in design. If we visualize ourselves, every person has a creative and a designer mind. PwDs have a better creative mind. We are working with visual impaired person for designing out puts in creative things. As you know and have experienced that PwDs having special abilities and strengths can be brought forward like what we did at blind school in Delhi. Every PwD has strengths which we have to understand and find out how we can harness them. Once we get to understand these strengths we can think of inclusive growth in the thinking process and disability system.

Before designing we have to evaluate the market. At time we think that our own abilities are limited. Hence we can compromise with quality, which is not true. Those organizations who are making products of similar nature can work together to make better products in a competitive market. Local and natural material should be used from the point of view of accessibility and skill updation.

With blind school we had corrugated sheet as an element of design made into a coil from which pen stand and mobile stand etc. can be made.

Value addition: An NGO in Salem is using silk cocoon for making flower hanging decoration fro Christmas. He is earning Rs. 25 after spending more than Rs. 75-80/-.After I changed the material in the product by adding dried leaves, bamboo sticks the product can sell for upto Rs. 250/-

Packaging: There is a lot of difference in sales for example of a silk saree or a nylon saree going by the way the product is displayed and shown to the customers. Product audit from third party should be undertaken and prototypes should be developed for the same. Batch production and testing for quality standards should be adhered to. The USP of the product should be such, which makes it stand out. To conclude whatever we make we should be proud of, what we are making. It should not be that one buys for the sake of pity or charity.

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TIPS FOR SKILLS TRAINING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES – OUR LEARNINGS Prema Gnanoolivu and Bobby Zachariah

PROJECT PLANNING

Should be looked into before you start with a sheltered workshop. Before you plan a project, learn all about it and have the complete task analysis internalized and recorded

by you. Consider your financial aspect. GOALS

Goals proceed from short term to long term. Goal setting is based on the current performance level of the said trainee. Do not plan unattainable goals.

PRODUCTS

Always see that there is an end product visible at the end of the training. Contrast situation There should be a total contrast setting between the class room and the workshop. The difference must be very noticeable.

SIMULATION

When you simulate the working pattern or a workshop, do not imagine and proceed with training. Go and observe a real production unit/ factory And then simulate.

ADAPTATIONS

Be ready to design and provide adaptations as soon as possible for a willing learner before frustration sets in.

STRUCTURE

Language / communication, Work and Posture TRAINING METHODS

Always start from simple inputs and then proceed to complex and multi task exposures. Take care to teach them the correct way as incorrect learning is very difficult to unlearn.

TRAINING

Teach and train only what is needed in the relevant project at that time. It should be crisp and precise and candidate specific.

APPROACH

There should be always age appropriate treatment. Treat them like adults and that is what they want!

DISCIPLINE

Compromises on work discipline and work culture should not be allowed. The rules are fixed. RESPONSIBILITIES

Give the trainees specific responsibilities on a day to day basis. This is the best way to build trust between the trainer and the trainees.

INVOLVEMENT

Involve the parents/guardians and siblings in the programs. Invite them to come and observe what interventions are being done and how the training occurs.

TRAINER

The trainer, by his/her behavior make the trainees understand that he/she is a friend but when it comes to work he/she means real business!

SUM UP

Last but not the least; show empathy in Communication, Skills training and Teaching techniques.

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GROUP ACTIVITY

All the workshop participants were divided into 6 groups taking each alphabet of ARUNIM. Rama Chari and Sumit gave group activity to the participants and individual group presentations were made after 30 minutes. The expectations of each group on problems faced, strength and expectations from ARUNIM are given hereunder:

Group “A”

Problems: • Funds • Marketing • Vocational training for 3 years during special school. Strength: • Parents training • Manpower special children • Quality Weakness: • Funds • Market Expectations from ARUNIM: 1. Tax benefits: 2. Octroi benefits: 3. There is no tender system in this type of institution. 4. Insufficient support and funds provided by govt. to establish & running to this kind of workshop. 5. To improve marketing our products, ARUNIM can create mega shop in big cities and organize exhibition in

each district level / area level 6. Awareness programs should be conducted in urban / developing areas.

Group “R”

Problems: 1. Lack of Fund 2. Lack and unavailability of raw material 3. Lack of Skilled trainers 4. Lack of Parents Motivation 5. Limited Production 6. Economically not viable 7. Transportation problems. 8. Lack of infrastructure Strengths 1. Transparency 2. United 3. Eager to learn

Expectations from ARUNIM 1. To arrange training programmes to NGOs 2. Shelter workshop should be co-ordinated 3. Marketing 4. Parents Association should be encouraged to form self help group in large number

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Group “U” Challenges 1. Non availability of expertise in rural areas 2. No sharing of expertise 3. Financial support very little 4. Family participation very little Strengths 1. Earning is not a prime motive 2. Self empowerment is possible in the sheltered workshop 3. Growing Corporate sector & market economy Expectations from ARUNIM 1. Extend Expertise to rural areas 2. Establish an expertise Bank. 3. Start a finance Corporation. 4. Enlighten family members regarding participation 5. Subsidized raw material supply. 6. Reserve some product to Disabled Sector. 7. Involve Corporate sector for marketing 8. Decentralize ARUNIM

GROUP “N”

Difficulties

• Lack of understanding about ability of child by parents.

• Lack of awareness for proper training • To find out the exact level of capacity of the child. • Attention level of special child is too less • Lack of awareness in rural areas • Lack of resources ( Money & raw material) • Lack of opportunities in education & health. • Lack of well trained professionals in rural areas • Abuse by normal adults and people around

Strengths

• Increasing awareness by Govt. • Movies like Tare Zameen Par should be telecast more often • Building of self help groups • Networking between NGO'S • Communication Facilities – internet, mobile extra • Peer groups and siblings • Cultural activities like music and dance • Sports & Art • LOVE FOR CHILDREN

Expectations from ARUNIM

• 100% sale of our end products • Training • Designing • Procuring raw material • Opening new markets for sale • Developing of weaving technologies.

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Group “I”

Weakness

• Lack of vocational Trainers. • Lack of Market • Lack of Awareness • Lack of Funds • Quality Enhancement • Assessing the market Value. • Lack of Accessibility/ barrier free environment Strengths

• Dedication • Devoted workers • Urge • Empathy • Approach Expectation

• State / National level help in terms of fairs. • Help to sort out weaknesses.

GROUP “M”

Problem

• Fund Raising • Space • Competition • Quality • Marketing • Parents support • Trainers Strength & Weakness:

• Untrained Human Resource • Goal- not very clear Expectations:

• Corpus fund • Skill training • Raw Materials / Money • Marketing responsibility • Expert guidance • Quality lab

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Sumit Roy invited Rama Chari to sum up the group activity.

Rama Chari: “It is heartening to see that ARUNIM is association of members, as it is based on the expectations/voice and dreams of members. Government should have exemption in marketing. We might have to work with the government and corporate- vendors like ours are available.

Role of ARUNIM: Finances, advocacy and awareness are most crucial. For the sheltered workshop there is a need to develop a road map with 3 year / 5 year goals. It is also necessary to develop a business plan.

Vote of Thanks by Ms. Anubhuti Mittal

Today is a historic day. The morning session gave us lot of direction. State machinery like this shows the efforts and confidence placed to support initiatives for PwDs. People want to see this as an opportunity and you have not missed out on this.

Implementation of the programmes is extremely important to achieve result oriented benefits. People from Dismania gave 50 inputs which is only a peep into what is going to happen in the future. Many people were talking about lack of professionals in the sector for which we will have training of trainers. The second question was raised on funding and reservations. Now we must talk about mind set inculcated in competition, branding and marketing.

I would like to thank everyone, board members, and dignitaries for taking part in the workshop. Please keep in touch so that we can achieve a whole lot together.

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Documentation and transcribe

Ms. Anjlee Agarwal Executive Director, Samarthyam

www.samarthyam.org

Photography and recording Mr. Debabrata Chakravarti

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Contact details:

National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities, (Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment) 9th Floor, Jeevan Prakash Building, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi-1 10001 Tel: 43520861-64, 23766898-99 Fax: 23731648 Email: nationaltrust@nic.in Website: www.nationaltrust.org.in