INCLUSIVITY ENROUTE TO EMPOWERMENT OF PEOPLE

WITH DISABILITIES

A case study by Samarthanam

Mahantesh .G.K &

Rajendra . K.R.

WHAT IS INCLUSION?

Exclusion is the manifestation of blatant discrimination and structural inequities for a specific section of communities in the society;

Exclusion results on account of potential barriers encountered by these sections on a day to day basis such as attitudinal, institutional, structural, informational etc.,

Persons with disabilities are among the most excluded and poorest of the poor sections of the society;

Persons with disabilities exhibit lower economic, social, health, education and political outcomes as a result of sheer exclusion;

INCLUSION CONT’D…. Accessibility and universal designs are the pre-requisites

for inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities; One of the principles of rights based approach mandates

all the development actions and processes to have a clear focus on these groups;

Combat exclusion to promote inclusion through the removal of all the barriers stated above is must;

Promoting equity and justice can be an effective strategy to end exclusion and inequities to facilitate inclusion;

Promoting access to education, health care, livelihoods, participation and representation are the key strategies applied by Samarthanam to combat exclusion and ensure inclusion;

HOW WE PROMOTE INCLUSION?

The success stories and good practices of Samarthanam follows to demonstrate how we promote inclusion……….

REVERSE INCLUSION SCHOOLS

Primary and Secondary schools encouraging reverse inclusion; i.e, encouraging non-disabled poorer children from villages to study along side disabled children.

SUPPORTING STUDENTS FOR INCLUSION

Disabled Young adults are provided with hostel facilities, education support to study in mainstream colleges. Additional disability specific support is provided by Samarthanam.

INCLUSION IN LIVELIHOODS

Preparing young disabled boys and girls to get employed in open market – IT and ITES training.

TO WORK ALONGSIDE NON-DISABLED

We make sure that physically and visually challenged young adults work in BPOs. BPO Training:

INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMES 100 seater call centre –

Rural BPO model encourages and prepares disabled young adults to work and earn their livelihood.

Trades are selected in line with market needs.

Young disabled adults are trained to be job ready for emerging sectors in India - I T and ITES, Hospitality, Retailing, Insurance and Banking.

CHANGE ATTITUDES TO PROMOTE INCLUSION

T20 Blind Cricket – entertainment, empowerment, mass awareness and attitudinal change maker.

PROMOTE INCLUSION THRO’ ART & CULTURE

Sunadha - Classical and performing arts and dance troupe with visually and hearing impaired boys and girls along side non-disabled peers.

SAMARTHANAM STRIVES TO PROMOTE INCLUSION

Our work force have 40% people with disabilities at all levels of jobs.

70% of Board of Trustees are visually impaired.

Encourage non-discriminatory measure in all its actions.

We walk the talk in Inclusion.

Thank You