Key Strategic Focus

This year the focus was to ensure the inclusion of CwDs in all spheres like physical, educational, social, cultural, attitudinal and economic aspects of their life. In order to ensure their significant participation, initiatives will be taken to build the capacity and knowledge base of these children along with their parents. As our society’s lack of knowledge, misinformation and negative attitudes lead directly to the exclusion of children and youth with disabilities from mainstream education. Furthermore, where disabled children’s capacities, rights and needs are constantly underestimated, they are likely to develop low self-esteem and negative attitudes about themselves and their abilities.

Awareness work is important at all levels in society – child, family, community – to counteract fear, misunderstanding and negative attitudes. The most effective way by which Saksham addresses this is - to do this is through participation by children with disability, their parents and their school teachers.

It is widely recognized that the greatest impact in improving the life of a child with a disability can be achieved in the early years. Swabhiman, through Saksham, is addressing this through assessments and assistive device provision.

Development of Individualised education plan (IEP) for each child and focus intervention was plan to see the significant result in the abilities of children was one of the key strategic focus in the second year of the intervention.

Society’s negative attitudes can often be translated into inappropriate national policy. By promoting greater participation of CWDs and YWDs to participate in consultations and discussions, Swabhiman through its Saksham project facilitating appropriate policy level changes which can positively contribute to the life of CWDs. Both parents and CwDs of project Saksham played a key role in the nationwide advocacy initiatives for the declaration of the new law i.e. RPwD Act at the parliament in the year 2016.

The introduction of more inclusive practices in education necessitates a change in curriculum, teacher training, teaching methodology and teacher attitudes. We promote through this project the effective implantation of the Right to Education act 2009 and Rights of Person with Disability (RPwD) Act - 2016, all the schemes related to inclusive education and skill enhancement schemes have to be properly practised at the school by the teachers and in the society as a whole.

Project Saksham is being implemented through eight nodal ICRC centers, which serve as multipurpose units and provide an enabling environment for children to be actively participating in education and skill development.