Orissa State Disability Network (OSDN)

BACKGROUND

On 18 of September 2002 SWABHIMAN initiated an annual event, a state level advocacy workshop, to explore how community can create change. Entitled ‘People’s Perspectives: United Voices For Disability Equity’ it focused on DISABLED PEOPLE BECOMING EQUAL PARTNERS IN THE SOCIETY.  

Why don't we have equal opportunities ?

Because the needs of the disabled community has remained ignored.

Because disability has remained an issue of charity instead of being an issue of development, empowerment and economy.

How the workshop helped ?

It was a dynamic exploration of how people and the community can address key issues where IGNORANCE is causing immense harm either way, both to the disabled population and to the state’s economy.

ORISSA STATE DISABILITY NETWORK - VISION

It is our belief that Advocacy and Awareness are the strongest tools available with us to change the way society perceives disabled people. We feel that disabled people and disability groups should be encouraged to take the leadership role in this crusade. More...

Legal Cell

SWABHIMAN LEGAL CELL is a wing of SWABHIMAN to stop discrimination and promote equality of opportunity for disabled people. Disabled people face massive discrimination and exclusion. For example, if they are of working age, they are twice as likely as non-disabled people to be out of work and disabled people are twice as likely to have no qualifications.

We have set ourselves the goal of ‘a society where all disabled people can participate fully as equal citizens.’

WHY WAS IT NEEDED

Under the PWD Act 1995, legal rights for disabled people are already in force. These cover employment, access to services, education, transport and housing. But changes in attitude and awareness are just as crucial. Despite the exiting law, many disabled people find it hard to take part in day-to-day life and do not have the same chances that others take for granted. We are here to put that right  More...

Hand-in-Hand

Regional Consultation for First Network of Women Leaders In Eastern India

To network and have our voices herald is the notion on which Hand-In-Hand is conceptualized. In a two day workshop ‘Hand-In-Hand’ – Regional Consultation For First Eastern India Women Network, inaugurated by the noted editor and social activist Smt.Monorama Mohaptra, in Bhubaneswar, Orissa on 17^th October 2005, this sentiment found voice in all deliberations.

Conceptualised by Dr. Sruti Mohapatra, ‘Hand-In-Hand’-  is a first of its kind workshop to form a network of women in eastern India. The ideology is based on an attempt to bring together the physically challenged women and the women of mainstream for a face to face interaction and building up a network based on trust and mutual cooperation. Swabhiman and Association For Women With Disabilities (AWWD) jointly organized the workshop in collaboration with VSO India. In this two-day workshop around 50 participants from eastern India including Orissa, West Bengal and Jharkhand participated. The workshop brought women of different background into a single platform to promote leadership and overall development of women  More...