ISTR Sixth International Conference Toronto, Canada / July 11-14, 2004 Contesting Citizenship and Civil Society in a Divided World

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	Abstracts

The persons with disabilities - struggles for recognition and rights: program for improving quality of life - role of the NGOs
by
M.G. Basavaraja
Reader in Economics, Sir M.V Isvesvaraya Post Graduate Centre, University Of Mysore, Mandya, Karnataka, India 571402

The PWDs in India, with the active support of NGOs, have begun to achieve the recognition that the disability is as an issue of equal opportunities as in the cases of race and gender. The growing social and political movement PWDs has had a major impact both on theories about the nature of disability and on the implementation of equal opportunities and also on policies for the development of PWDs. The term development, in this context, refers to an integrated program, which includes social, political, economic and spiritual development of PWDs. The core objectives of development of PWDs may be listed as following(1) food for hungry people (2) language for expressing their ideas (3) appropriate education/ employment/equal opportunities. The ESCAP's proclamation states that the abilities of PWDS have to be recognized and they should not be excluded from the mainstream of society. If they are provided appropriate motivation/support in the form of education, training, opportunity / employment they can contribute their mite to the society, and to the economic development of the country. The state agencies find it difficult to deal with different kinds of problems of PWDs in an efficient manner, so there is need for the intervention of NGOs. Role of NGOs The role of NGOs in the promotion of the welfare of PWDs has been recognized as vital because of their special abilities in their mode of functioning such as innovation, flexibility in operation, and sensitivity to the changing needs and high level of motivation of the functionaries. NGOs aim at helping the PWDs to help themselves by mobilizing their own resources, tapping their potential, identifying problems, finding solutions to them, and implementing them to achieve their goals, State seeks increasingly contact and consultation with NGOs and providing funds to them to support their development indicating the State’s recognition of their role. Objectives This study aimed at - the identification of the different forms of exclusion problems being faced by the PWDs, the evaluation of the struggles of PWDs for recognition/rights, the role of NGOs in empowering them, an analysis of whether the provisions of different Acts enacted to uphold the opportunities of PWDs are implemented in full measure or not, and the role of NGOs in this field. Also, this study aimed at suggesting changes, if any in the PWD policy measures from the point of view of making them more effective for the PWDs to get proper recognition in the society and also in promoting their welfare. Methodology This study is primarily empirical in nature. The stratified-random-sampling method is followed to choose sample target group (200); the structured schedule- cum-questionnaire in respect of beneficiaries is prepared and used for culling out information on incentives / facilities availed of by target group, the problems in the availment, the role of NGOs, their impact on the conditions / quality of life of PWDs. Findings NGOs have played a crucial role in promoting the welfare of PWDs. NGOs have the roots in the PWDs and respond to their aspirations effectively. In many cases, the living conditions of PWDs would not have improved but for the efforts of NGOs / State Programs. The NGOs, however face problems in terms of funding, recruitment and retention of trained/ qualified personnel, and apathy of the government authorities and the tendency of the politicians /others to use them for gain. There is need to take same measures such as simplifying / streamlining grants-in- aid procedures, training of staff, improving the organizational structure/ administrative competence of the staff to strengthen the NGOs. The extent of availment of welfare facilities for the PWDs of urban areas is greater as compared to the extent of availment by the PWDs in rural areas. Many of the welfare schemes for uplifting PWDs are not implemented in full measure due to lack of response from beneficiaries. There is no proper co-ordination amongst different government agencies in the matter of proper implementation of welfare schemes of PWDs etc. In bridging these gaps, the role of NGOs is vital. Relevance of the Study It is hardly necessary to say that PWDs are an integral part of a society and as such they rightfully deserve to be recognized as full members in joining all the ranks. But some how public opinion has not until very recently looked at this problem in this way. While their disabilities need to be looked into, this should not come in the way of their enjoying all the rights of the citizens. Owing to their disability, they may not be in a position to contribute fully to the progress of the society. This is all the more the reason that while this factor should be taken into account, all efforts should be made by the NGOs, the public at large, and also the state to enable them to enjoy all the rights of the citizens and participate fully in the life of the society. The public at large needs to be educated on this aspect of the problem and they should be made to realize that the PWD are quite capable of doing much of the normal work like other citizens. The NGOs, State and its agencies should carry on propaganda to educate the public in this matter. This study, which has much contemporary relevance, has tried to meet this demand. The NGOs, with the help of Social Scientists should make studies both of the capabilities/ disabilities of PWDs and devise suitable programs of social, political , economic activity best suited to their attitude and capabilities. They should bear this in mind and cause both intensive and extensive studies of the capabilities of the PWD and enable them to contribute their mite to the progress of the society. When the findings of such studies are made available to the wider public, they are likely to change their mindset and develop the right kind of attitude towards PWD.

Date received: September 26, 2003

Copyright © 2003 by the author(s). The author(s) of this document and the organizers of the conference have granted their consent to include this abstract in Atlas Conferences Inc. Document # camk-20.