Delhi and Chennai Abilities Mela 2007 Report

Introduction

Abilities Mela

In an effort to bring disability centre-stage, Blind Relief Association (BRA), a non profit organization working with the visually impaired in collaboration with Business & Community Foundation (BCF), again a non-profit working in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility initiated the Delhi Abilities Mela in July 2004 which has become an annual feature in Delhi and has spread to Chennai.

Rationale

Managing a diverse workforce is increasingly recognized as a key factor in improving efficiency, productivity and business success. A highly significant element of the diversity debate often overlooked is Disability. 1.8% to 2.1% of India’s population comprises people with disability / different abilities, which is approximately 18.49 million to 21.92 million of the total population. As per the Census 2001, of these 48.5% are visually impaired, 7.5% are speech impaired, 5.8 percent are deaf, 27.8% are orthopedically disabled, 10% are mentally disabled.

Outcomes

The mission of the Mela is to facilitate, promote inclusive opportunities for the differently-abled. The Mela would be a platform for demonstrating skillsets, creativity and potential of the differently- abled, disseminating information on the aids and appliances, avenues and opportunities related to jobs and self employment available for them, sale of wide range of handicrafts, garments, products and “celebrating abilities.”

 

Third Abilities Mela – New Delhi

The third Delhi Abilities Mela was held on 10th & 11th February 2007 at the Blind Relief Association Campus, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg in New Delhi. 50 organizations across the disability sector as well as others from all over India displayed their work. These include groups like MESH, Family of Disabled (FOD), groups from Rajasthan: Tilonia, Rangsutra, Ahmadabad: Mahila Patchwork, Motionsonique and others from Jharkhand, UP and NCR.

The mela story was covered by HT, The Hindu, Pioneer, E-TV, Doordarshan and others.

Inauguration

The mela was inaugurated by Dr S N Subba Rao: eminent freedom fighter, founder director National Youth Project of India. Guest of Honours included Ms Veena Chhotray (Secretary Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment), Ms Poonam Natrajan (Chairperson National Trust), Dr P V Rajagopal (VP Gandhi Peace Foundation) and Mr NS Katoch (GM Corporate Affairs Cadbury India Ltd).

The program

The programmes included panel discussion on 'Universal Design & Inclusive Society' organized by SAMARTHYA with eminent panelists from School of Planning & Architecture. The idea was that in the run up to the Commonwealth games we need to begin a campaign to make our entire new infrastructure barrier free.

This panel discussion was followed by a Quiz Competition organized by the Shri Ram Group of Schools - integrated with both mainstream & special schools.

At the same time Saburi in association with the Art of Living raised Rs.4, 70,000 by way of donations and distributed wheel chairs, sewing machine, hearing aid to around 200 people at the Mela identified through concerned NGOs.

This was followed by a painting competition and cultural performances by children of Blind Relief Association, Jeevanpath Viklang Vidyalaya, Deepalaya, Udayan Care, Deafway and Janta Adarsh Andh Vidyalaya.

On both the days Award winning films on disability were shown and product sales crossed Rs 1 lakh.

Feedback from the participants:

Strengths:

• This Mela served as a platform for networking, interaction, learning from each other.
• Good exposure for organizations particularly from rural areas in terms of display of the products / potential of the differently-abled.
• The work of the volunteers and hospitality shown by the organizers was appreciated.

Areas to improve:

• Need for greater publicity.
• The Mela could be organized with mainstream people and it would be useful to invite more corporate and potential employers.

Abilities Expo – Chennai

Chennai Abilities Expo was held on 23rd & 24th January’ 07 at the AIKYA School for Special Children. 38 organizations across the disability sector as well as others from all over India displayed their work. These include groups like Callidai Motor, Alphie Electronics, Worth Trusts and NGOs like SCARF, Nandhini Voice, Spastn. The Mela story got an extensive coverage by the Hindu and other media.

Inauguration

The function started with an invocation by the students of AIKYA. Ms Parvathy Viswanath, Director of AIKYA, welcomed the gathering. The expo was inaugurated by L.N. Ranganathan, District Governor of the Lions Club International, who applauded the idea and urged the community to support such project.

Ms Richa Tyagi spoke about the mission of BCF, the partnership and the previous Mela. In the evening the Minister of Social Welfare, Dr Proongothai distributed certificates to all the participants. On the second day, Shri CP Narasimhan, IPS Retd, felicitated all the exhibitors, volunteers and other participants.

The program

The highlight of the expo was the Medical camp, where anyone could have for free eye screening, blood grouping and a dental check-up.

Simultaneously, group discussion and workshops were held for children, parents and professionals with topics like Management, behavior Therapy, autism, communication, and sports. There were different stalls brightly decorated.

The cultural program was non stop until 9 pm the first day and from 10 am to 4 pm on the second day. Eashwaran, a visually impaired violinist from Madurai, gave a performance of classical music. The culturals were all given by people with, hearing and orthopedic impairments and intellectually challenged. 30 schools participated in the culturals and 12 city schools visited the expo.