role of cbos towards inclusion - p. stephen, ircds
TRANSCRIPT
Role of CBOs towards Inclusion- P. Stephen, IRCDS
Community Based Organizations (CBOs) are …Backbone of the Community DevelopmentVoice of the VoicelessTool for the Empowerment of Vulnerable groupsBridge the gap between the vulnerable groups,
PRI and Govt. Departments.Today Politicians have an eye on CBOs
because it is a major vote bank at GP/Block level.
It is s powerful tool to promote the rights of PWDs at community level
Acting as a Good will ambassador in the community
Mainstreaming Disability
Mainstreaming of disability is an instrument to promote equality of opportunities for people with disabilities.
Success relies on the commitment of a CBO.
Addressing disability should not be seen as a stand alone package or project, but rather as part of the regular activities
Practical ways for Inclusion
Membership and Leadership Position Programme / Activities Advocacy & Lobbying Networking Knowledge sharing
Inclusion : Membership & Leadership
Include the Women with disabilities / Male PWDs / their family members in the CBOs ( Necessary relaxation can be given)
Leadership : Minimum 5 % reservation can be allocated for the PWDs at BLF/DLF Federations level
Inclusion : Activities
Include the causes of disability, Management of disability, Barriers, rights of PWDs, schemes meant for PWDs in their regular training package
Keep information of disability rights ,application formats, scheme guidelines at group/village/ federation level .
Facilitate the PWDs to get disability ID card, assistive devices and eligible Govt schemes ( monthly pension, grant for IG activities, IAY housing, MGNREGA ,NRLM etc)
Include the PWDs in the cultural events, sports, recreational activities etc.
Inclusion : Activities
Motivate the members to follow the prenatal and post natal care, avoid early marriage, blood relative marriage- in order to prevent disability.
Consider the skill development training & credit needs of PWDs on priority basis ( like other vulnerable groups …Widow, PLWHA )
Reserve minimum 3 % of funds for the development of PWDs
World women’s day and World Human Rights day – Include PWDs and highlight their issues as well.
Contd..
Act as a bridge between churches/NGOs/PRIs village chief and PWD families
Provide counselling ,emotional and solidarity support to PWDs/their families
Educate the family members for respecting the rights of PWDs.
Inclusion : Advocacy & Lobbying
Include the issues and rights of PWDs in their regular advocacy agenda
Discuss the issues of vulnerable groups in group meetings ( including discrimination at family level, community level).
Give voice for the 3 % utilization of funds in all Govt. .poverty alleviation schemes and BFE.
Contd..Lobbying for the inclusion of PWDs in
the Village /Block level PRI committees
Ensure that PWD families benefitted from all the programmes of Govt., NGOs and churches
Advocate with the schools to have BFE , disabled TLM and trained teachers.
Networking
Networking /Alliance building with other DPOs/ Disability Networking Organizations to promote the rights of PWDs.
Share the issues and rights of PWDs, experience with other CBOs/ Federations inorder to include in their regular agenda.
Knowledge Sharing
Document the experience and good practices periodically.
Share the good practices,workable and replicable models through newsletters , annual reports, participation in the programmes
Voice from the CBOsMs.Prema, Secretary, New Light Women Federation, Tiruvallur, TN
“We were able to include 243 women with disabilities, 43 spouses of PWDs and 36 mothers of CWDs in our Women SHGs/ District level federation.”
“They are attending the meetings regularly some of them coming with their family members for communication. We are happy about this initiative”
“Vasantham DPO and our Federation are jointly highlighting the issues of Women and PWDs at GP,Block and District levels”.
“Our women federation have issued Rs 6.35 lakhs loan to women with disabilities for starting IG activities . The repayment rate is 99%. As a result ,56 PWD families have started small business and now their income level has enhanced” – Ms.Rajaeswari, Secretary, Block level Federation, Kadambathur
“In 63 Women SHGs, WWDs are holding leadership position” - Ms. Mary, Project Coordinator, IRCDS, TN
“Due to our solidarity support 4 PWDs got houses, 3 PWDs got patta and 16 PWDs getting job under MGNREGA from our Gram Panchayat” – Ms.Chamundeswari,Secretary, Panchayat Level Federation , Kilambakkam GP
