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The Advocacy Unit of Swabhiman works for
protection and advancement of rights of PWDs.
Our advocacy activities covers a wide
spectrum that include legal, political,
administrative and individual based advocacy
that ensures a holistic approach in
mainstreaming disability in India. We have a
full-fledged Legal Cell that takes up cases
on behalf of PWDs and seeks redress in the
Court of Law.
Legal Advocacy
Legal Advocacy Unit of Swabhiman was
established to facilitate the realization
and protection of rights of persons with
disabilities. It was a step to confront the
increase in abuse and discrimination of PWDs.
The legal Unit deals with cases of physical
abuse, Sexual abuse, psychological and
emotional abuse and all forms of
discrimination including cases of neglect
and denial of property rights.
3% Reservation in educational
institutions
The Supreme Court has issued a verdict that
all Government educational institutions and
other educational institutions receiving aid
from the Government shall reserve not less
then 3% seats for persons with disability as
per section 39 of PWD ACT, 1995. Based on
the newspaper report of the New Indian
Express dated 12 September 2002 Swabhiman
initiated the letter campaign on 3%
reservation of seats in educational
instituions for the disabled.
Swabhiman's conscsientious lobbying bore
fruit with health department issuing an
order to all medical and allied colleges,
either government or aided, which mandates a
3% reservation for the applicants who are
physically challenged. A complaint from a
physically challenged student who had been
denied a seat in government homeopathy
college set the ball rolling. Scrutinising
the prospectus we found it flouted the PWD
Act 1995 which clearly directs a 3%
reservation in all educationl institutions.
We wrote letters, not receiving replies,
re-wrote, and wrote again. Sent copies of
the Act, Supreme Court judgement and all
allied information. Met the principal, then
director health services, then director
indian medicine and finally secretary. Refer
to New Indian Express, Page 4, dated
22/02/2003.
Political Advocacy
Political advocacy is a programme unit of
Swabhiman that works towards influencing
political establishments and State
bureaucrats to respond to concerns and
issues that affects Persons With
Disabilities (PWDs). We target political and
legislative institutions, individuals in
authority, political leaders, civil society
organizations and communities (PWDs).
Individual based Advocacy
This advocacy wing pursues matters submitted
by individuals with disabilities who have
been aggrieved. We take up these matters and
seek their redress either with the
administrations, institutions, families or
whatever the source of grievance is.
Some significant achievements have been made
in this regard as indicated in the following
cases:
Case Studies
Ms. Priyambada Sahoo
Students having special needs should be
provided special provisions in Educational
system. This case is of Ms. Priyambada Sahoo
a speech and hearing-impaired girl student,
D/o: Mr. Harihar Sahoo of Gandhinagar, Jatni
who had applied for Bachelors Degree in Fine
Art (B.F.A.) course in B. K. College of Art
& Craft, Bhubaneswar and Govt. College of
Art & Craft, Khalikote, Ganjam. But both the
colleges rejected her application form on
the ground of over age. Speech and hearing
impaired children need extra years of
nursery schooling as preparatory phase for
mainstream schools.
Ms. Sahoo approached Swabhiman, we
immediately sent a letter to the Principal
of the College asking to reconsider the
application in light of the provisions of
PWD Act of 1995. A copy of the letter was
marked to Commissioner cum Secretary W& CD
and Disability, the Vice Chancellor, Utkal
University and the Superintendent of VRC.
The Swabhiman team sent letter to the
Director Dept. of Culture and contacted the
Director and the Secretary of the Department
for many times. Finally the case was filed
with the State Human Rights Commission. All
these lobbying led to frantic discussions
and matter finally reached the concerned
minister. Finally the minister directed both
B. K. college of Fine Arts and Culture and
the University to allow an age relaxation of
5 years and a 3% reservation for disabled
people from this academic session.
Mr Laximidaar Sahoo
Mr.Sahoo a Visually Challenged postgraduate
student of Ravenshaw College and formally a
newspaper vendor, was falsely implicated by
the police on superficial charges and a
warrant was issued against him. He lived in
seclusion and in fear. He sought assistance
from many, but no one came to his rescue. In
confidence and hope he approached the Legal
Cell seeking an immediate action to resolve
the crisis that had haunted him for long.
The Legal Cell intervened and managed to
obtain a bail order that enabled him to
resume his normal life
Mr. Nabin Mohanty
It was celebration and jubilation for Mr.
Nabin Mohanty, an orthopedically challenged
government servant, on receiving a pro
motion letter from his higher authorities.
He was eligible for promotion from a junior
assistant to the post of senior assistant
since last nine years. His attempts to
secure his promotion was often met with
ridicule and indifference by senior officers
and he remained tormented for years. Finally
his efforts and Legal Cell support compelled
authorities to approve his promotion. After
an arduous one year intervention by Legal
Cell the battle was won.
Opening of bank accounts for leprosy
cases in jagatsinghpur
A bank of Jagatsinghpur did not allow a
leprosy person to open the bank account.
Swabhiman is did the advocacy for that
disabled person to open an account in that
bank.
Administrative advocacy
Swabhiman initiates discussions with
government functionaries and departments to
seek justice on issues affecting persons
with disabilities. Many individuals approach
us seeking help to make their grievances
heard by respective departments of
government. We use letters and face-to-face
discussions with these departments and
several cases have been resolved and
significant changes have come forth. |
