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.

OBJECTIVES

Þ    To promote local advocacy groups and build leadership in the disability sector.

Þ    To facilitate local advocacy groups to join hands with district level groups to eventually form a Statewide Network that will act as a pressure group to influence meaningful policies at various levels – village, block, district state and national, regarding persons with disabilities.

Þ    To empower disabled people and organizations and to sensitize other concerned sectors through systematic information dissemination on disability related issues like legislations, relevant policies, research findings and current developments.

Þ    To closely monitor and lobby with the governments, corporate and other allied sectors to advocate the adoption and implementation of appropriate policies/legislations.

Þ    To build a common cross-disability platform for sharing of concerns by disabled people from all the corners of the state and to build a joint strategy for a cohesive disability movement in Orissa.

CHALLENGES BEFORE OSDN

ADVOCACY

Þ    Except the WCD department, no other departments are not sensitive enough towards the issue of disability

Þ    Govt. reluctance to change their existing policies

Þ    The mind set of the Govt. functionaries that the issue of disability is an issue of charity and welfare not an issue of Development.

INFORMATION DISSEMINATION

Þ    Basic problem is lack of information

Þ    Paucity of funds in translating available information to local language/dialect and pictorial forms.

Þ    Lack of transport and courier services in reaching remote areas.

Þ    Delayed information reach due to postal department’s sluggishness.

NETWORKING

Þ    District level meetings have become  problematic due to huge distances.

Þ    Lack of transport

Þ    Move to small groups like Panchayat, Blocks

PRESENT STRUCTURE

An apex body at the state level with the convener at the apex and four co-conveners. Each co-convener responsible for a zone (east, west, north and south Orissa). The next tier consists of district partners and in 2005 the focus is on having 30 district partners.

ACHIEVEMENTS TILL DATE

Unified World Disability Day Celebration.

Letter campaigns to Chief Minister’s office for Disability Commission.

Establishment of Second Medical Board in Sundergarh District (history in India)

Single Window Approach For Disability Certification at Rourkela and Nuapada

Historic Political Convention (First In India) was organised by OSDN in Bhubaneswar. 1500 disabled people, parents, spouses and NGO’s are delegates. Participants have come from districts of Khurda, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Gop, Balianta, Mayurbhanj, Balangir, Koraput, Sundergarh, Jharsugda, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Ganjam, Phulbani, Nuapada and Khariar. Many political parties included our demands in party manifesto.