“PwIDDs too have strengths and inherent value, and their dignity must be ensured and respected.” – LPU Pro Chancellor
Lovely Professional University and ‘Chaanan’, an association for mentally retarded children, hosted a three-day, regional ‘Capacity Building and Leadership Programme’, at the campus. The workshop was organized by ‘Parivaar’- a National Confederation of Parents’ Organizations (NCPO) for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (PwIDDs). 60 participants from 8 states came to LPU for this program aimed at strengthening efforts undertaken to educate, empower, and rehabilitate PwIDDs. CBM International, Australia, also supported the event.
The workshop was inaugurated on Sept 9 by LPU Pro Chancellor Mrs. Rashmi Mittal. She expressed her concern for the mentally disabled in the words, “Such seminars and workshops are very necessary to sensitize society towards accepting persons with disabilities as equals. Such persons too have strengths and inherent value and their dignity must be ensured and respected. Parents of the affected who are close to their cause and have practical knowledge of their disabilities and strengths must come forward to help such organizations achieve their objectives in protecting the rights of PwIDDs.”
The workshop covered topics like life skills, educational requirements, training, work life, services required, management of NGO, fund raising, emerging and innovative skills, and provisions with respect to PwIDDs. Mrs. Swati Sharma, the lead spokesperson, talked about the suffering caused to those affected with IDDs by insensitive peer behaviour.
The second day of the event was based on NGO management and fund raising, conducted by Lieutenant V.K Gautam. Chief Guest Mr. Ramesh Thakur shared his experience in training and practicing the skill of NGO management and issues like social responsibility, media usageand a two way interaction among the audience and spokesperson took place in the guidance of Mr. Amarjeet Anand and Mr. Pankaj Paru. Towards the end of session 2 of the day, the parents were asked to divide themselves in 8 groups for case studies on the issues faced by the intellectually disabled, the need for a home away from home, the role of local government regulatory compliance, resource mobilisation, management of women groups, and fund raising. The discussions on the case studies was conducted on the final day.
The third day, a closing ceremony of the workshop was held presenting the conclusions of the case studies, and discussing various concerns, challenges, practices and outcomes arrived at by the participants. The parents were awarded with certificates for participation and excellence in their presentations.
The successful three day event came to an end with participants leaving heartened, empowered, and reassured that their cause was supported by individuals and entites outside their associations and organizations.
The organizer of the event, PARIVAAR -NCPO, is presently a cohesive force of over 230 Parents’ Associations and NGOs across the country spread over 28 states and 3 union territories. It is recognized as one of the biggest parents’ organizations nationally and worldwide. Its vision is to empower, and improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities and their families. It has been creating awareness in the community for inclusion of such persons as contributing citizens at par with others.
Inputs : Kunal Mahajan, Shikhar Thakur
