VIKASH, Bhubaneswar

Disability

Vikash was started with its innovative initiative for elimination of leprosy and rehabilitation of leprosy patients in the community. Its experience in community based rehabilitation programme encouraged to start a programme in remote  Nandapur and Semiliguda blocks of Koraput district. The project was launched in September with a function participated by local leaders, eminent citizens, Govt, officials, media men, local business representatives and students.

In the initial stage meetings at village, Gram Panchayat and Block level were organized to create awareness. 10 local youths were selected as community level workers known as Multi Rehabilitation Workers (MRWs). They were trained in different aspects of rehabilitation like therapy, counselling, special education and social organization by professionals and experienced workers. After an exposure in the old project areas of Vikash they were placed back in the local community.

 Various camps were organized to facilitate the process in Koraput.

The MRWs supported by therapists like Physiotherapists, Speech Therapists, Special Educators; O & P Engineers visit each house to extend their services. Simple locally available tools and equipments are used to give therapy and special trainings. The objective is to enhance the physical potentialities to the maximum, make the locomotors organs effective, decrease or remove deafness and increase abilities of mentally retarded children. Special schools are organized to improve the physical, behavioural and intellectual standards of the children so that they can go to general schools and socialize in the peer groups.

Regular services are being provided to 102 persons. Others are given event-based services.

In Gop Block Vikash is concentrating its efforts on the children with disabilities. 7 pre-schools have been organized to prepare and develop them. 31 children are attending the pre-schools Home-based therapy is extended by 7 MRWs.

In Pipili Block Vikash supports the local disabled persons association in organizing different programmes. The trained multi-rehab workers are providing services to the needy persons on a self- financing basis. 8 MRWs were trained and given stipend to support their work in the initial phase.

Source: VIKASH in 2003-2004 Annual Report

D-2/7, Industrial Estate, Rasulgarh,

Bhubaneswar- 751010

Tel: 91-674-2588187/2585306

Fax: 2581426

E-mail: ashok@vikash.org

Web: www.vikash.org