Deepalaya - Enabling Self-Reliance

“I always felt that I was being shunted around to suit other people’s convenience. Because I didn’t fit in with them….it was me who had to move, leave or change…” says a tearful Rakesh who is 20 years old. A resident of Sanjay Colony slum cluster, Rakesh is hearing impaired since his childhood.

His painful words echo the sentiments of millions of those whom many call DISABLED! Deepalaya took a step forward and thought of a positive way to mainstream such people in society. We enable them to be self-reliant and live a dignified life through our programmes for the differently abled. Since 1993 Deepalaya has been working to develop inclusive behaviour and positive attitude among parents and communities, towards physically and mentally challenged.

Seventeen camps across South Delhi and West Delhi were organized by Deepalaya as part of its project, ‘Integrated Approach to Disability Rights’ in collaboration with Royal Netherlands Embassy during the months of February and March this year. People were exposed to the rights of the differently abled and were informed about their experiences, views and feelings. Some of the locations where camps were organized include Gole Kuan, V.P. Singh Camp, Madanpur Khadar, Gandhi Basti, Transit Camp, Sansi Camp, Ambedkar Camp, Dwarka resettlement colonies, Khori, Peeragarhi Water Tank and Mayapuri etc.

Hundreds of people participated in the camps across these locations. Rallies, street- plays, banners, posters, placards etc were used to create awareness among people. Through individual and group counselling, the crowd was sensitized to the needs and rights of the differently abled. They were motivated to accept these ‘less fortunate’ people and help them live a life full of dignity. People were educated about how Deepalaya serves the differently abled through special education, physiotherapy; by helping them get disability certificates, railway and bus passes; by providing them medical assistance, helping them to access supporting aids and appliances; and acquire assistance from government and other NGOs etc.

The street plays organized at the camps struck a sensitive chord amongst most. Many came forward, instantly, to contribute to the welfare of the differently abled. Some families came forward with their children, to be admitted in Deepalaya’s special education classes. Caring for a differently abled child is considered exhausting by many parents. Some of them even do not know how to provide special care. Shielding their children from harsh comments by neighbours, they would confine these children to their homes. The camps were organized to address various such concerns. Some parents wanted to admit their children for special education classes only because they wanted a ‘short break’ from their responsibility. A social worker from Deepalaya said that since some of these children would find it difficult to express themselves, other people should take extra efforts in understanding their views. The people thronged towards the social workers of Deepalaya to seek answers to their questions. Many of them were interested in knowing where and how they could approach local authorities to get benefits for their differently abled dependents.

Some people stressed that local authorities must take a more active role in providing opportunities to differently abled children to lead as ‘normal’ a life as possible.

At the conclusion of the camps a significant change in the attitudes of people was visible. Door to door visits, latent talent development activities, workshops, seminars etc during such camps have brought considerable awareness among people of the communities.