Dear All,
Continued my journey of mentoring NGOs and publication of the model developed ad implemented both in Urban and Rural Areas. In this direction, the most needy group is the Senior Citizens with Disabilities as they are most vulnerable and marginalized due to ageing and disability. This study has been published in Desh Vikas, a Multidisciplinary Journal, during October - December 2020. Brief details of eh same were presented below as:
ABSTRACT
Senior Citizens with Disabilities are the affected
group with the issues of ageing and disabilities. The Census indicates that the
population of this group is increasing with better life span supported by health
care facilities for the one living in urban area and economically secured. Disability
can acquire for this group by birth or during their life sap. The life span of the
women is more than male reflecting their flexibility and adjustment. This group
has to be seen as two sides of the same coin where on one side needs care,
training & rehabilitation and on the other side can be considered as valued
human resources. The Disability Acts and Elders Acts do provide rights to get
protected both socially and economically. The limitations of service delivery do
affect the reach to the targeted group both quantitatively and qualitatively. The
challenges with this working frame are many and forces the group to be more marginalized
including isolation leading to poor quality of life. At the same time, several opportunities
open ups to minimize these challenges which finally enhances their happy and healthy
living with improved quality of life. Government, Private and NGOs have got their
specific role in working for the wellness of the group and together working on
the mode of partnership do work effectively with better participation, accountability,
responsibility and transparency which further improves the delivery system with
better availability, accessibility and affordability. The models and initiatives deployed in the
study are simple, flexible, replicable, scalable and sustainable matching to the
dynamics of the given environment.
Key Words: Seniors, Disabilities, Development, Marginalized, Isolated, Development, Care, Rehabilitation, Quality of Life, Environment.
Statement of the Problem
The Seniors with Disabilities affected
with disabilities and ageing are the most marginalized and isolated from family
both socially and economically and thus leads poor quality of life (QOL).
Wellbeing
of Seniors with Disabilities
Wellbeing is defined as the condition of the individual or group’s positive outcome and experience of being comfortable, healthy, happy and prosperous. This is also known as quality of life (QOL). The wellbeing of this group has got affected with the challenges of ageing and disabilities and vary from category of disability to another. In view of this, there is a need to work for the wellbeing of Senior Citizens with Disabilities with matching strategies and interventions as a solution. There exist several Acts at both National and International level to protect the wellbeing of the Seniors with disabilities.
Initiatives
The author is very much attached with the targeted
groups for more than a decade and able to conceptualize, design, develop and
implement several initiatives including their monitoring and evaluation (CDDIME).
Some of the key initiatives taken up with NGOs covering major parts of Andhra
Pradesh and Telangana include:
ü
Creation
of Awareness cum Advocacy for the targeted groups, family members, community members,
care givers, professionals, service providers, and other well wishers on the
need and ways to work for the wellness of the Seniors with Disabilities.
ü
Assessment,
Screening and Referral Services to the targeted groups as well as the family members
for understanding the real needs and ways to cater them.
ü
Counselling
cum Guidance for the targeted groups and family members for home based care and
rehabilitation.
ü
Trainings
for the Care Givers, Professionals and Service Providers (NGOs) on the model of
Care & Rehabilitation.
ü
Seminars
and Workshops on various Disability Acts, Maintenance & Protection for Elders,
Protection cum Grievance Mechanism for Service Providers, Professionals and other
Stakeholders.
ü
Mobilization
of Resources from Government, Private, Corporate (CSR), Funding Agencies both
National & International, Financial Institutes, Foundations, Trusts, Individuals
and other Philanthropists.
ü
Use
of technologies including e-forums for better connectivity, sharing and dissemination
on the needs and measures taken from time to time.
ü
Publication
of Papers connected with the care and rehabilitation of the targeted groups as
an inclusive approach with wider connectivity.
ü
Encouraging
the students and other research group for developing better service models with
innovation and creativity.
ü
Mentoring
Service Providers (NGOs) for tracking, systems, accountability, transparency and
mobilizing resources for better sustainability.
ü
Associating
with Communities for developing Day Care cum Residential Facilities with better
ownership.
ü
Networking
with Government, Private and NGOs to work with better accountability on the model
of Partnership known as GPN Partnership.
Recommendations
The study gained priority and need to be continued
for the benefit of the targeted group as well as to their family &
community and some of the recommendations made include:
ü
To
encourage Student and Researchers to take up the study in association with NGOs
in general and particularly in rural villages.
ü
To
work for the effective implementation of the rights and provisions made in various
disability and other related acts.
ü
To
prepare the family and community for accepting the group with dignity and
respect with need based service system within them.
ü
To
conduct Trainings, Workshops and Seminars for Professionals and Service Providers
and to build strong connectivity.
ü
To
encourage NGOs to work with Government and Private (majorly CSR) on Partnership
(GPNP) basis dominantly with bottom up approaches.
.....................................................................................
Looking forward
With thanks
No comments:
Post a Comment