EMPOWERMENT OF PARENTS OF PERSONS WITH MENTAL RETARDATION ASOCIATED WITH MEPMA (IKP URBAN), ANDHRA PRADESH.

Dear All

In continuation to the efforts made in the disability area for all types of disabilities in general and particular to the one with mental retardation and associated disabilities,Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA) also known as Indira Kranthi Pathakam (IKP Urban)is doing commendable work in this direction.

Knowing the challenges, skills and needs of these vulnerable groups, MEPMA started developing need based strategies and interventions. One such major activity is to link up these groups with the existing National Federations working for the empowerment of persons with mental retardation and other associated disabilities. At present PARIVAAR is the existing federation working i this direction.

To move forward, the prgoarmme has been decided to hold One Day Workshop at District level at MEPMA (IKP Urban). I have got the opportunity to be the State Resource Person for conducting such workshops in 13 districts. The approved programme is as follows:

25th May 2011: Anantapur
26th May 2011: Chittoor / Tirupati
27th May 2011: Kadapa
28th May 2011: Kurnool
30th May 2011: Mahaboobnagar
31st May 2011: Hyderabad
1st June 2011: Ranga Reddy / Tandur
3rd June 2011: Medak / Sanga Reddy
4th June 2011: Nalgonda
6th June 2011: Warangal
13th June 2011: Karimnagar
14th June 2011: Nizamabad &
15th June 2011: Adilabad.

The main objective is to create awareness among the Office Bearers of the Parents' Associations and linking them with the PARIVAAR.

The agenda is as follows:

Brief on:

o Disability Acts
o Schemes & Benefits
o Role of Parents
o Challenges
o Moving towards Right Based Models
o Need of networking and associations

PARIVAAR

• Vision & Mission
• Objectives & Role
• Activities & Projects
• Membership, requirements
• Benefits
• Opportunities
• Importance of Regional and National Parents’ Meets - experiences

Interactive Session with the participants

I will be posting the highlights and other updates after completing the workshops planned as above.

Hope to get better reflections from you all...

with thanks