Report on Disability Awareness Program

REPORT ON DISABILITY AND INCLUSION AWARENESS PROGRAM Execution Date: 20th and 29st May 2017 Venue: Dzongkhag Administration, Wangdue-15 gewogs Target group: Village block leaders and village Health Workers Number of People present: 146 Objectives: To create awareness on disability, accessibility and inclusion to village block leaders and village health workers. The program also seeks to bring positive attitudes of the people towards disability and promote inclusive community. Short description about the program: Disabled Persons’ Association of Bhutan conducted Disability and Inclusion awareness program in Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag from 20th to 29th of May 2017. There were 15 village blocks (Gewogs) and under that, 85 village block leaders and village health workers were present. This target group was chosen for this awareness program as they play a very important role in the community, creating connections between individuals and the health care system. They are the decision makers and planners for their respective villages in making a better community. The speakers included staff, members and people with disability. The awareness program was conducted in an interactive manner whereby the participants were lectured and following the lecture was discussion which included question and answer session. The modules such as disability issues, importance of education, environmental accessibility, Inclusion of persons with disability (PWDs) in the community, ability of PWDs and services of Disabled Persons’ Association of Bhutan were discussed. The session also included sharing challenges and success stories by the people living with disability. There was also an activity to make the participants experience the disability and realize how challenging the life of PWDs is. One of the important discussions that took place was regarding the allowance for severe disability and bed ridden, the need for ramps and accessible toilet for the people living with disabilities. The participants were positive whereby some of them promised to discuss this issue during the upcoming 12th five year plan. Some participants shared that this awareness program was an eye opener because till now they have been thinking that PWDs are incapable of doing anything and thought that disability was the result of past karmic actions. Moreover, this attitude was developed as till now PWDS never came forward and spoke about their rights and unaware of this issue. Conclusion: There was a positive reaction from the participants towards supporting disability issues in the country. It is therefore hoped and expected that this awareness program can help change the attitude of the people towards disability and make Safe and accessible environment and include people with disabilities. Recommendations 1) Allowance for persons with severe disability: DPAB and the block leaders discussed about the importance of having a monthly allowance (minimum of nu.1000) for persons with severe disability. This will be further discussed by the block /village leaders in the upcoming 12th five year plan. 2) Accessibility: Accessibility was another important point discussed during the program. It was seen that a basic accessibility structure was need in the community such as gewog centre where both disabled and non-disabled people visits. There DPAB suggested the leaders to at least make a ramp, wheelchair accessible toilet and footpath in gewog office.. The program concluded on a positive note. The topics which were discussed with the targeted audience: 1. ACCESSIBILITY As far as the built-up environment is concerned, it is important that it should be barrier-free and adapted to fulfill the needs of all people equally. To make PWDs to participate equally in the community there must be ramps and accessible toilets for wheelchair users, have accessible home, offices, schools and public areas. Accessible environment is an inclusive society where it would benefit all the people including PWDs, old age people and sick people. We are all physically disabled at some time in our lives. A child, a person with a broken leg, an elderly person, etc. are all disabled in one way or another. 2. IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITY Education is one of the tools that empower people with disabilities and make them live an independent life. Some parents are over protective about their children and confine them within their home which further affects their children’s mental state. They don’t enroll their children with disabilities in schools as they feel that their children might get hurt or suffer. There are many people with disabilities who have completed their studies and leading an independent life. If one has education it gives them an equal opportunity to participate in the society. There are 13 inclusive schools and 2 special schools in Bhutan where any children with disability can enroll. Therefore education is very important for everyone equally. 3. INCLUSION In order to have a happy and vibrant society, there is need for inclusion. Inclusion is a philosophy build on the belief that all people are equal and should be respected and valued, as an issue of basic human rights whereby they have the opportunity to participate fully in all community activities offered to people who do not have disabilities. As a matter of human right, all people have the right to participate together in the community and PWDs should not be devalued or discriminated against by being excluded or sent away because of their disability. There are also no legitimate reasons to separate them. Thus, everyone must be treated equally under the law regardless of race, gender, national origin, color, ethnicity, religion, disability, or other characteristics, without privilege, discrimination, or bias. “The only barrier to Inclusion is BAD ATTITUDE”. 4. ABOUT DISABLED PERSONS ASSOCIATION OF BHUTAN A group of persons with visual impairment came together in early 2010 to work towards establishing an association for the disabled in Bhutan. With support from friends and well-wishers, the documents for the registration of the Association were successfully developed and submitted to the Civil Society Organization Authority (CSOA) in September 2010 for endorsement. The registration was finally approved on 26th November 2010 and the Disabled Persons’ Association of Bhutan (DPAB) was formally born as one of the first public-benefit Disabled Persons’ Organizations in Bhutan under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Namgyal Wangchuck. The Association has been guided by the following vision, mission and objectives: Vision “An inclusive Bhutanese society that recognizes and respects the rights and needs all persons living with disabilities in Bhutan, and promotes their long-term physical, psychological and social well being” Mission “To facilitate the provision of inclusive education and improve the living conditions of persons with disabilities in Bhutan so that they can meaningfully participate in social, economic and political front”. Programmes: Education support to children with disabilities Provide Assistive devices Provide Independent living skills trainings Advocacy and awareness on disability issues Coordination and communication Fig: Discussion with the participants Fig: Team members explaining about disability and Inclusion Fig: Experiencing disability with close eyes for a minute and sharing the views by the participants PICTORIAL REPORT: KAZHI GEWOG PHANGYUEL GEWOG NYISHO GEWOG THEDTSHO GEWOG PHOBJI GEWOG AND GANGTEY GEWOG SEPHU GEWOG DANGCHU GEWOG GASETSHO OM AND GASETSHO GOM GEWOG RUBPISA GEWOG DAGA AND ATHANG GEWOG NAHI GEWOG BJANA GEWOG SOURCES OF VERIFICATION: .

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