Development Initiative for Social Change (DISC)
| Coverage |
Sitakund Upazilla |
| Duration |
2001 to 2009 |
Situation
According to the Asia Specific Development Centre on Disability, the last government census on people with disabilities (PWD) took place in 2001; it was the first of its kind. The situation of PWDs have largely been ignored in the nation's social history. In 1991 a sample census indicated approximately 500 000 people living with disabilities; however the World Health Organization estimates that 10% of the world suffers from some kind of disability. Action aid Bangladesh approximates 8% of Bangladesh 's population have disabilities, or specifically 7 million.
Currently in the streets one can see many disabled people begging for money as a livelihood. As an YPSA initiative to empower PWDs, DISC is a program which aims to increase the rights of PWDs by providing social services and technology training for them, and raise awareness through a media campaign.
Initiative
DISC concentrates on disabilities in terms of nine categories, which include the following activities:
Health
- Providing primary rehabilitation therapy for the disabled person in the field and physiotherapy center
- Giving support to disabled and poor people for operations
- Training for adolescent Person With Disabilities on reproductive health
- Arranging clinics for children with disabilities and sponsoring children and their families
Livelihood
- Entrepreneur training for PWDs from each Upazilla, as well as YPSA's Micro Enterprise Development Program and Aungshee
Education
- Giving access to the children's space (shishu mela) in Sitakund
- Providing an opinion exchange meeting with a child's guardian about disabilities
- Continuing an education scholarship for impoverished, disabled students
Rights
- Organizing activities and leadership training for PWDs
- Forming self-help groups
- Coordinating meetings with local governments to provide more service for PWDs
- Observing national and international disability day
- Workshops on health, education and other issues concerning PWDs with relevant government officers
Civic Engagement
- Orientation on disabilities to the local Youth Club
- Support Youth Clubs for different creative initiatives on disability issues (e.g., posters)
- Organizing quarterly Social Watch Committee meetings and social movements on disability issues for the public
Mass Awareness
- Media Campaigns on disabilities that target local journalists
- Arranging cultural programs by the PWDs at Radio Bangladesh , Chittagong
ICT
- Establishing a Knowledge Center
- Computer training for young people with disabilities from YPSA's ICT center
- Developing a volunteer team with Sponsor Child & Disadvantage Youth & Adolescents for Sponsorship Act
Disaster
- Conducting market meetings on disaster preparedness
- Orientation for local Youth Club representatives and PWDs on disaster and disabilities
Primary Schooling
- Announcing disability Friendly Schools
- Orientations with headmasters on disability and coordination meetings with education officers and teachers
- Publications on primary schooling and the rights of PWDs
Outcomes
From 2005 to 2006, an equal number of male and female PWDs were trained in YPSA's activities. 456 PWDs accessed a physiotherapy center; among them were 350 children. 1805 people were reach in discussion forums about people with disabilities, and 975 attended meetings about the local government and its need to provide more services to PWDs. 46 journalists were reached in the mass media awareness campaign and 10 young people received computer training at YPSA's ICT center.
In addition 55 headmasters attended awareness orientations about children living with disabilities, and 1000 posters were produced on the topic of primary schooling rights for PWDs.
YPSA is currently producing a Sponsorship Next Step report in order to continue developing their programs for people with disabilities; they hope to reach a larger number of people, and conduct case studies for annual and donor reports.
Supporting Organization
Action Aid Bangladesh
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