Activites
RDWs are able to reach out the remotest villages by autos and also by bus; sometimes with the help of organizers. They are making night stay in some places not having proper transport facilities during night times. It is advantageous to make night stays at the villages which gain the confidence of the members of SHGs and get the feeling that they are like their family members.
Staff members of Sacred are working in accordance with HR policy including leaves and other working policies and procedures. This contributed for their improved work performance.
House visits and village level review of plans /achievements are enabling rural development workers to select village of their choice and bring out the unresolved issues before the notice of government. Federations are extending their support to SHGs in discharge of their functions. During this year 12 RDWs had chosen 12 villages and are focusing on various aspects which include right to education, Right to information, APNA'D', Child labour, antenatal/postnatal care, disability preventive measures, UNCRPD etc.,
Activities during the reference period were executed as per the action plan and the performance of RDWs was assessed on monthly basis. Data updation by RDWs is taking place once in three months. This resource data helps one to know the type of benefits availed/accessed by disabled persons such as pensions, concessions, scholarship, bank linkage, job cards etc.,
Awareness on National Trust Act was created at village level through wall paintings. List of eligible children was prepared. Applications for the purpose of legal guardianship were obtained from AD Office, KURNOOL.As many as 35 had applied for this. Some of the parents felt happy since such facilities would contribute for proper taking care of disabled children with a sense of responsibility.
1240 persons in VOs / ICDS centres in 36 villages were given input on the measures to reduce the extent/intensity of disability. Importance of immunization / proper Antenatal / Postnatal care, hygiene and environmental sanitation. 12 RDWs/Organizers also took part in the meetings. Discussion was on prevention of disabilities and the need for extending helping hand to disabled persons. Disabled persons should live with human dignity like able-bodied persons in society.
1832 members from 159 SHGs in 4 Mandals are sharing their needs/expectations and are making an effort to tackle them by considering SHG / Federation as an important platform. They are all feeling happy that they could find out a way for their problems (e.g. share in family assets, job cards in MNREGS).
Special emphasis was laid on the problems of women disabled persons both at family and society. Prominent lawyer by name SASIKALA has been extending legal guidance and support in solving problems of disabled women. For e.g., she took initiative in settling the problem of FEERUBI of Rampuram Kottala. Through Advocacy issues related to disability are getting addressed. It enables them to resist discrimination with the support of Federation and taking legal/police action if there is threat or injustice. Therapeutic interventions including physiotherapy, speech therapy, ADLS, play therapy etc., are carried out involving RDWs & Local Resources. Materials are prepared for using them in the day care centres (E.g., cycle tubes, sponge, water bottles, glass marbles, flash cards, dusters etc).
285 students from 6th 10th were provided education materials which motivated children as well as parents. Attention span of children is also increased due to these materials. During this year 15 days of training for RDWs, Organizers/volunteers focus on therapeutic interventions was considered quite useful. They were trained on preparation of teaching materials and their use along with input on UNCRPD. Right/timely identification of disabled children for early rehabilitation intervention is helpful for parents to reduce the intensity of the problem. Special awareness was created on the health aspects with a special focus on the community mental health, gynecological problems etc., financial assistance was also extended towards their referral services and medicines were also provided at their disposal. Taking timely medical advice and treatment will reduce the extent of dependence of disabled persons on their family members.
38 children in the age group of 0 to 6 years are receiving nutrition from ANGANWADI centres and they are also getting immunized timely. In addition AN/PN Mothers are also getting nutrition and immunization with the help of government health functionaries. RDWs are also taking part in MOTHER's MELA a s well as on Community Health. Timely education/awareness to mothers helps preventing incidence and intensity of disability.
There is role clarity among RDWs/ organizers due to series of awareness workshops organized specially focusing on the topic. Due to conceptual clarity on their role/ responsibilities as well as knowledge/skills they are able to render quality services to PWDs. Day Care Centre volunteers who were given 5 days of orientation specially focusing on the importance of special education for disabled children and mainstreaming CBR activities in community. The parents as well as some persons in community who were showing apathetic attitude towards disabled children could notice the changes after getting trained in day care centres. It is contributing for their regularity to school and their performance in examinations.
14 school education programs were organized with a view to highlighting the importance of education to disabled children, right to education, their place in classrooms etc., This provided an opportunity to change the mindset of teachers who are encouraging disabled children to pursue their special education and are taking special care and interest. Severely disabled children/women were provided sanitation facility (15) and similarly 120 were provided aids/appliances. 168 needy persons were provided loan facility for livelihood. This has reduced physical and financial dependence of disabled on parents. Extending referral services also resulted in improved health status. In 21 villages where parents meetings are being organized 118 children were covered under therapeutic interventions training.
The method of updating individual files once in three months sustains the motivation of parents and enhances their responsibility. Mandal level meetings are organized for parents to facilitate sharing of the progress of their children. Similarly each RDW is taking one child in a challenging manner and taking special interest apart from doing the same for other children. Books pertaining to rehabilitation programs are translated into Telugu for the benefit of RDWs and Volunteers. Similarly another book entitled practice through games was also translated into Telugu which is being used extensively by RDWs and Volunteers.
Efforts are being made to enhance the quality of reporting to donor agencies duly compiling financial aspects. Sacred could make use of resources provided by RDT/Bankers/IKP/Village Resources and covered 28 persons under surgical intervention and 60 were given sewing machines. This contributed for their individual development apart from improving their socio-economic status.The ultimate goal is ensuring active involvement of parents/ family members in the rehabilitation of their disabled children and also promoting unity/integrity among PWDs to share their problems/issues collectively showing concern to one another.