NGOs in Disabled Person: Role, Challenges, Impact, Works

NGOs in Disabled Person: There are many different estimates of how many people in India are disabled. A recent World Bank report’s data suggests that between 5 and 8 per cent of the country’s population, or between 55 to 90 million individuals, are disabled.

Even with their large number, there is still a noticeable lack of services and support systems specifically designed to meet their needs. Significant obstacles prevent many people with disabilities from taking advantage of the opportunities, education, and basic resources that are essential to their growth and well-being.

NGOsare essential in this situation because they bridge the gaps created by a lack of institutional and governmental assistance. These organisations are dedicated to provide complete support and care that is customised to meet the requirements of people with disabilities. They provide necessary services including education and career training.

What Do You Convey by the Term NGO For Disabled Persons?

NGOs in India for Disabled Persons are non-governmental organisations that provide a range of services and programs to aid people with disabilities. Their main objectives are to support the inclusion of disabled people in society, fight for their rights, and enhance the quality of life for these people.

Role of NGOs in Disabled Person

Providing Essential Services: Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) provide various services that are suited to the requirements of people with disabilities, including education, vocational training, healthcare, and rehabilitation. Their freedom is encouraged and this support enhances their quality of life.
Advocacy and Rights Protection: They fight to protect the rights of people with disabilities by influencing legislative changes and making sure that laws are inclusive and safeguarding. They contribute to securing equal opportunities and rights for disabled people by bringing attention to the issue and advocating for structural improvements.
Accessibility Improvement: NGOs strive to improve accessibility for people by making public areas, transit, and services more user-friendly. They work on initiatives and campaigns to break down social and structural barriers so that people with disabilities can fully participate in community life.
Encouraging Social Integration: NGOs organise community activities and support groups to foster social inclusion and reduce stigma. They create opportunities for disabled individuals to engage in community life and build social networks.

Importance of NGOs in Disabled Person

Organisations that support the disabled are essential in filling important gaps in advocacy and services. They offer vital resources and assistance, such as specialised education, healthcare, and vocational training, that are sometimes absent from government initiatives and commercial sector offers.

These organisations are essential for promoting the rights of people with disabilities because they put up endless effort to influence legislation and modify policies in order to create a more just society. NGOs ensure that people with disabilities may access equal opportunities and fully engage in community life by improving accessibility in public spaces and services.

Additionally, they provide vital assistance for social and mental health, promoting the acceptance of people with disabilities in society and reducing stigma. NGOs also offer financial and legal support, assisting people in overcoming financial obstacles and

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Objective of NGOs for Disabled Person

Encouraging Social Integration: Encouraging inclusion, lowering stigma, and offering chances for social interaction and personal development in order to improve the social and emotional well-being of people with disabilities.
Offering Legal and Financial Support: To provide assistance in resolving legal and financial difficulties, such as obtaining disability benefits, handling job-related concerns, and handling financial obligations.
Motivating Innovation: Creating and executing novel technologies and strategies to tackle problems associated with disabilities, promoting efficient resolutions and enhancing assistance networks.

Challenges Faced by Nonprofits

Funding Restrictions: A lot of non-governmental organisations face challenges related to insufficient funds, which might limit their capacity to grow initiatives, continue operations, and offer all-encompassing assistance.
Awareness and Advocacy: It can be difficult to advocate for legislative changes and raise awareness of disability issues, particularly in places where there is a lack of acceptance or understanding of disability rights.
Coordination with Government and organisations: The delivery of comprehensive and integrated support services may be hampered by NGOs’ inability to effectively coordinate with government agencies and other organisations.
Stigma and Social Acceptance: It can be difficult to change attitudes about disabilities and overcome societal stigma, which has an impact on both.

Also Read: Role of WHO in Healthcare

Some NGOs Working for Disabled Person

Diya Foundation

Diya Foundation was born out of the need to provide adults with Intellectual challenges, life experiences, training and a safe environment where they could be prepared to meet life’s challenges with dignity and positivity.

Maria Santamaria, a special educator, began this venture with 3 adults and one staff member. Supported by family and friends and an initial investment of Rs. 3000/- Diya Foundation was registered in Bangalore, Karnataka, as a charitable Trust in March 1999.

Diya Foundation (DIYA) is a Vocational Training Center in Bangalore providing training and employment to adults with intellectual challenges. Founded in 1999, DIYA is a registered charitable Trust. The idea for the centre grew out of a growing need for vocational training once basic schooling is completed.

Sense International India

Started in 1997 by Akhil Paul, Sense International India aims to help all deafblind children and adults to become full and active members of society. They partner with people with deafblindness and multiple disabilities, their families, caregivers and professionals to ensure that everyone facing challenges because of deaf/blindness and other disabilities has access to advice, opportunities and support.

In the last two decades they have assisted over 77,500 deafblind people and their families through their network of 59 partners across 22 states.

VISHWAS

VISHWAS is a not for profit organisation working in the field of Disability and Inclusive Development. Their mission is to create a diverse and inclusive society where every individual is ensured equal rights and opportunities in a dignified manner.

In 2005, Neelam Jolly, the founder of VISHWAS started working in Sanp ki Nangli, a small village in Sohna block of Gurugram district of Haryana with a vision of an inclusive society where persons with disabilities are ensured equal rights and opportunities in a dignified manner.

Now, after eighteen years of persistent work and resilience, VISHWAS is a proud team of 45 people working for the four programmes that complement each other. So far VISHWAS has reached out to 3511 beneficiaries.

Also Read: NGOs in Mental Health

Self Reliant Initiative Through joint Actions (SRIJAN)

As a grassroots organisation, SRIJAN has improved the incomes of tens of thousands of rural families in the backward districts of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh. One of its most important water conservation projects is the Bundelkhand Initiative for Water Agriculture and Livelihood (BIWAL).

It is an attempt to revive traditional water bodies and the surrounding ecosystems through community engagement. Over the years, the tanks in the region have fallen into disuse because of droughts, neglect and apathy.

Sankalpa Rural Development Society

SRDS, a non-profit organisation, has been promoting Rainwater Harvesting techniques through bore well recharge, and roof top rain water harvesting since January 2008. Incessant use of existing bore wells and excessive digging of new ones has resulted in severe depletion of underground water levels. Founded by Mr. Sikandar Meeranaik, an entrepreneur in the field of modern-day rainwater harvesting SRDS aims to have water scarcity a thing of the past by 2030.

Conclusion

In summary, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that assist the disabled are essential in filling the gaps caused by insufficient institutional and governmental support. These organisations play a crucial role in delivering necessities, promoting social inclusion, and fighting for rights despite confronting several obstacles such as financial constraints, accessibility issues, and social stigma.

Their steadfast dedication to improving the lives of people with disabilities via healthcare, education, and creative solutions highlights their critical role in creating a society that is more inclusive and egalitarian.

Moving forward, addressing current challenges and guaranteeing that every person with a handicap has the chance to prosper will require ongoing support and cooperation with NGOs.