Helping People Help Myself

Yesterday was the International Day for Persons with Disabilities but, this issue is not very simple. In many countries, social welfare, social protection and health programmes are the first group to provide support for these people who have more challenges than others.

In developing countries like India, necessary supports are still under developed and many of government officials and employers are not fully aware of diversity of these physical/mental challenges. There should be good definition and statistical data at least these following categories:

• Visually Challenged including low vision
• Hearing & Speech Impaired
• Mentally Challenged
• Sensory, Multiple & Learning Disability
• Locomotor Disability & Physical Disability

In rural India, as an example shown in the previous page on this blog site, these people with additional challenges are, obviously having harder time to involve any kinds of activities at village and municipalities.

UNDP recently made its mandate to work for these people in its prgrammes and projects. In India, we are trying to provide some feasible livelihoods to these people by working with various government departments. At least, in Rajasthan, we started working with some training institutions to develop special training programmes for persons with disabilities. Nevertheless, many things have to be done. Many challenges are remaining for us and for all.