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The term "disability" has changed dramatically in the current context, notably during the previous few decades thanks to the so-called "social model of disability." Therefore, the NGOs take a proactive role in providing the essential possibilities for strengthening this emerging group in order to address this rising national concern.
The fact that these persons with disabilities or, more accurately, "differently abled" have not yet reached their full potential and capacities is a cause for grave concern. If human resources are adequately employed or channeled to their fullest extent, it may be a significant loss because they have the capacity to contribute to the overall development of society.
The NGOs, which are regarded as the major forces in society, take the initiative to aid the emerging group in expanding so that the disabled might participate in the advancement of their nation. Even while not all disabled people can find a job, they can be encouraged to become independent and self-sufficient by providing them with the required vocational training.
1. Sense International India
Akhil Paul founded Sense International India in 1997 with the goal of assisting all deaf-blind children and adults to participate fully in society. To guarantee that everyone encountering difficulties due to deaf-blindness and other impairments has access to guidance, opportunities, and support, they collaborate with persons with deaf-blindness and other disabilities, their families, careers, and professionals. Through their network of 59 partners spread throughout 22 states, they have helped over 77,500 deaf-blind people and their families over the past 20 years. Development of Individuals with Deaf-blindness and World Sustainability Forum recognized their work in 2017, and Sense International received the Gujarat NGO Leadership Award.
2. Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled
A National Award-winning NGO, Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, aims to empower people with disabilities and the underserved. Their main focus is on helping those in need by offering a wide range of services like high-quality education, lodging, wholesome food, vocational training, sports, and placement-based rehabilitation. Their programmes work to provide them with chances to keep up with the rest of society. By assisting those with disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds with their educational and employment needs, they now stand as a source of comprehensive solutions. In addition to these programmes, they support the development of blind cricket in India through their cricketing affiliate, the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI).
3. Cheshire Disability Trust
Cheshire Disability Trust (CDT), which was founded in 2011, is a part of the Leonard Cheshire Disability (LCD) Global Alliance, an international group with 54 affiliates. Their primary goals are to offer employability training, assist with job placement, and guarantee PWDs from economically disadvantaged classes receive equal opportunity. They offer acceptable career prospects in a variety of areas and teach PWDs in the age range of 19 to 35 in pertinent and necessary skills. This enables them to live honorably. The first of its type in South India, CDT has recently begun teaching disabled women in self-defense. Women with disabilities experience sexual victimization at a rate that is three times higher than that of regular women. Through self-defense training, the project aims to educate, empower, and inspire women with disabilities while also helping them build skills that will improve their general welfare.
4. Sarthak Educational Trust
Dr. Jitender Aggrawal, the founder and CEO of Sarthak, began losing his vision in 2004 while still working as a dentist because of Macular Degeneration of Retina, an untreatable condition. During this time, he became aware of the suffering that people with disabilities experience as a result of barriers including an environment that isn't inclusive and limited access to opportunities and resources. He first trained himself in the use of screen readers and other software to organize and carry out his daily tasks on computers. He then gradually began to train and hire visually impaired job candidates in Delhi. He therefore envisioned a system where this reliance could be treated. With this in mind, Dr. Aggrawal began operating a single center in Delhi in 2008 before steadily expanding. Sarthak has rehabilitated 1500+ and 425+ children with disabilities through its early intervention and inclusive education initiatives, respectively. 20000 PwD applicants were successfully trained by Sarthak Skill Development Centers in the fields of tourism and hospitality, organized retail, and IT.
5. Diya Foundation
Diya Foundation was established in response to the demand for life experiences, education, and a secure setting for persons with intellectual disabilities so they may be equipped to face obstacles in life with grace and optimism. With three individuals and one staff member, special educator Maria Santamaria started this foundation. In March 1999, Diya Foundation was established in Bangalore, Karnataka, as a charitable Trust with the support of family and friends and a $3,000 initial investment. Over the years, Diya's training programme has benefited more than 200 adults and their families. Diya Foundation has been training and employing persons with special needs for 22 years, providing them with job training, daily living skills, and the capacity to be self-sufficient.
6. Family of Disabled
Dr. Rajinder Johar, an occupational therapist from King George's Medical College in Lucknow with more than 20 years of experience, founded this after becoming permanently bedridden due to a gunshot wound to his cervical spine. He suffered quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs), but instead of giving up and living a life of misery and dependence, he decided to master all of his might and come back with a vengeance. He embarked on a mission to rehabilitate people with disabilities by identifying their urgent needs and introducing programmes to address those needs. He did this by putting his extensive experience, academic training, and professional knowledge to good use. He spent a lot of time considering and planning a strategy to go around after becoming incapacitated.
7. The Association of People with Disability
Since 1959, APD, an NGO in India, has been improving the lives of disabled persons from disadvantaged backgrounds. Their headquarters are in Bengaluru, Karnataka, and they operate extensive programmes in both rural and urban Karnataka to enable, equip, and empower children and adults with a variety of disabilities, such as locomotive difficulty, spinal cord injury, speech and hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, and to some extent, mental issues. They have had an impact on the lives of 500,000+ disabled persons thus far.
8. VISHWAS – Vision for Health Welfare and Special Needs
The NGO, VISHWAS works in the areas of inclusive development and disability. Through the development of knowledge and skills regarding inclusive practices and policies, as well as the creation of opportunities for meaningful participation. Their mission is to advance the rights and interests of the underprivileged, in particular those with disabilities, in collaboration with all stakeholders, including children, their families, the community, and the government.
9. Youth4Jobs
With the goal of ensuring that young people with disabilities have equitable access to possibilities for education and employment, Youth4Jobs was founded eight years ago. Since most disabled people are poor, they decided to work in the disability sector. While NGOs operated in the field of rehabilitation, many lacked a grasp of markets. Because of this, even after training, the disabled remained jobless and frustrated. Meera Shenoy, the company's founder, viewed this as an opportunity to make a greater influence on a group of young people who are more vulnerable than others—youth with disabilities—as pioneers.
The contribution of NGOs to the empowerment of the disabled in India is crucial in attaining that. As a result, the NGO, which serves as the core of the civil society, works to foster a friendly atmosphere and a barrier-free environment where people with disabilities can also lead healthy lives alongside their peers in the general population. The disabled are now creating wonders in the world, from academics to sports and other sectors. Check out the academic options available for the specially abled children.
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