ABSTRACT OF THE PAPER PRESENTED AT THE NATIONAL SEMINAR ON 3RD MARCH 2017

Dear All,

The Abstract of the Paper presented at the International Seminar is pasted below as:'
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EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES: ROLE OF STAKEHOLDERS

N. LAKSHMI NARAYANA

Mentor,

Geo Rehabilitation Centre. Hyderabad

Email: grcnln@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

          Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in general and particularly the one with Intellectual Disabilities is the priority as disability is well linked up with development. Disability and Poverty are well connected and affects the development of the individuals, family and Nation. The Persons with Intellectual Disabilities are the most marginalized including isolation with poor quality of life. This group is more vulnerable for abuse, violence, and crime particularly the girls who needs more protection and security. The parents of this group are more worried and searching for a better solution to the concern that “what will happen to the child after us?”. The search for way out is to work for this group’s training and rehabilitation with need based strategies and interventions.  In view of disability acts and policies, both at National and Internal level, the models of rehabilitation have moved from charity to welfare to developmental to rights based as an empowerment both socially and economically. This change further puts more emphasis on environment rather than disability alone.    

          This paper presents the model of empowerment which is framed with wide service spectrum starting from the stage of identification to empowerment both socially & economically and the role of Stakeholders. The stages of empowerment includes:  Early Identification, Early intervention, Inclusive Education, Special Education, Vocational Training, Skill Development, Employment, Livelihoods, Self Employment, Group Employment, Production & Marketing, Sheltered Workshops, Microentrepreneurships, and Mainstreaming. The combination of service delivery systems covering Institute, Home and Community works effectively to work for their independent living with equality and dignity as a contributing member like their normal counterparts in the same community. The other significant areas of this model includes: creation of accessible environments / spaces and prevention of the causes of disabilities. In the process of empowering the persons with disabilities and specifically for the Persons with Intellectual Disabilities, the Stakeholders covering: PWDs, Parents, Siblings, Community Members, PHCs, ICDS, Professionals, Educational Institutes, Forums, Networks, NGOs, Government, Corporate, MNCs, Funding Agencies, Financial Institutes, Donors and others having a space for this group will play a significant role with better participation and accountability at their respective level.

          The models, strategies and interventions were implemented at both rural and urban environments and have got better results and acceptance from the stakeholders and are simple, scalable, flexible and sustainable matching to the dynamics of the given environment.

Key Words: Training, Rehabilitation, Empowerment, Rights, Development, Stakeholders, Mainstreaming, Independent Living, Quality of Life.

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Looking forward....

All the best.