December 19, 2024

Karnataka State Stakeholder meet for Inclusion, Equity and Accessibility Organised by Sense India Bengaluru 

Participants: Adults with deafblindness and Multiple Disabilities, their family members and support persons, officials and professionals from relevant state & district government, departments, institutions, Corporates and Donor agencies working for rehabilitation of persons with disability including CSOs and OPDS.

Need for inclusion, equity and accessibility of persons with deafblindness (Pwdb)

Deafblindness is a unique disability (a combination of vision and hearing impairment) posing immense challenges to the lives of persons with deafblindness (PwDb), Multiple Disabilities (MD) and their families. Sense India is reaching out to 80,000+ individuals with deafblindness across the nation through its network of 60 partners in 23 states. SPARSH Centre for PwDb and MD in Kasthuri Nagar, Bengaluru marks a significant achievement for Sense India, as it represents the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and collaboration. It is an opportunity for us to reach out to more individuals with deafblindness and it is made possible through the support of our valued partners, donors, and community.

For PwDb and MD, Sense India organises regular trainings and stakeholder meetings. Still there is little awareness about deafblindness and consequently not much support exists. Though PwDb and MD face huge challenges, with right support it is possible for them to lead quality lives and be active members of society. This is our motivation for organising the State Stakeholder meet emphasising on the need for inclusion, equity and accessibility.

Through this event Sense India aim to converge with initiatives of relevant state government departments, skill development agencies, corporates, donor agencies and civil society organisations for successful rehabilitation of PwDb and MD. We also aim to spread awareness about need for inclusion of PwDb and MD to ensure they are not left out of important policy and healthcare measures. This opportunity will be utilized to sensitize all stakeholders for inclusion of PwDb and MD in education, healthcare and skill building initiatives.

Objective:

To create awareness about rehabilitation needs and rights of PwDb and MD

To share the needs of PwDb and MD with relevant officers of the govt. Department.

To ensure PwDb and MD inclusion through awareness raising and stakeholder engagement

Understanding of various initiatives to be undertaken for PwDb and MD

Awareness about current needs of PwDb and MD

Inclusion of PwDb and MD in policy and implementation initiatives

Methodology: Panel discussion, Individual presentation and open interactive session