Role of CBOs towards Inclusion - P. Stephen, IRCDS

Community Based Organizations (CBOs) are …  Backbone of the Community Development  Voice of the Voiceless  Tool for the Empowerment of Vulnerable groups  Bridge 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 CBOs Ms.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

Thank you ! November 2012 Let us Invest for a Better Today & Tomorrow