What is Dehradun Disability Forum? How did it start? Who are the members?
These are probably some of the questions that are currently on your mind. Well, to begin with Dehradun Disability Forum is a combined effort of several Dehradun based NGOs that are working for and with people with disabilities. It is our effort to create a common group that can answer, discuss, spread awareness and cater to the needs of people with disabilities. Through this we intend to create a united stand that is working together not against each other.
Now for the next question, how did the Dehradun Disability Forum start?
On Thursday, 13 March, 2009, the First All NGO Meet, an initiative of the Latika Roy Foundation was held at the Latika Roy Foundation Training Centre. This Meet laid the foundation of a beautiful dream, a dream of a united stand for the disable in Dehradun. The agenda of the meeting was to bring together all the NGO’s working for the disabled in Dehradun under one concrete forum where we could share our achievements, discuss issues, solve problems and make a difference. We all agreed that the government may or may not respond to individual concerns but a collective voice was far difficult to ignore. The commitment made in the First Meet showcased itself in the second All NGO Meet held at the Latika Roy Foundation Training Center on Friday, 17 April, 2009.
At the Second Meet we decided to tackle our next obvious question, how do we create this united identity, one which can spread awareness to a large group, one which is easily accessible and one which is in sync with today’s generation? The answer of which led us to discuss the importance of the World Wide Web! A common online identity would help the members in spreading awareness, have discussions with experts and supporters, get feedback and even get funds for various projects. The current rage on the internet is blogging and the members agreed to start with a blog that would provide all the information about the member NGOs training programs, activities and even employment opportunities for the people with disabilities.
This is how DEHRADUN DISABILITY FORUM came into being.
The members of this forum are NGOs that have been working in the field of disabilities for several years.
A list of the members is given below-
Latika Roy Foundation
Bajaj Institute of Learning for the Deaf
Anugrah Program
Inspiration Centre
NGOENGA School for Tibetan Handicapped Children
NIOH
Raphael Ryder Cheshire International Centre
SHARP Memorial
We will keep providing our supporters and well wishers news updates from all the member organizations and hope that this forum helps to bridge any gap that may be there. Comments and suggestions are highly appreciated!
in 2007 Raphael tried to get the NGOs together so that we could set up a forum for disability issues and work together. We had 2 fairly successful meetings, with very poor attendance at the 3rd. We were the same group of people who have been come together again now and it is heartening to see.
ReplyDeleteIn 2007 we agreed that each one of us should cover one block of Dehradun and identify not only the numbers of persons with disability, but the age group, the category and thus the needs. Subsequently, we can plan services -- and going beyond this, why do we duplicate our services?
It is important to do something specific.. we can cover a block each, totally -- sensitize, identify, educate etc
It seemed like a good idea then.. we can discuss it again when all of us meet at Raphael on the 17th July.
Can we raise a voice about the schemes being pushed by the governments -- how easy is to appoint a guardian for a person with disability? How does supported decision making work in our culture? So much money being spent -- most children with disabilities haven't even been reached?