JOURNEY TOWRADS EMPOWERMENT of Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in India
Self Advocacy movement in an organized manner was promoted by our Parent Organization PARIVAAR (meaning Family) since 2008 The need for organizing a forum for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Downs Syndrome never dawned on the minds of rehabilitation professionals in the country. The value of our advocacy was realized only after the UNCRPD and UN ESCAP call for ‘Making Rights Real’ for persons with disabilities.
There has been flurry of activities since then There has been flurry of activities since then. In recent times, support for us came especially from our parents’ organizations. These developments are very good for us. Despite all these developments, we are still living in the shadow of our parents, professionals and others. In 2008, Parivaar, a National Confederation of Parents’ Organizations started to bring us together and build Self Advocacy organizations with the support from CBM. Since then, several active Self Advocacy chapters have been formed in the states across the country.
We have enrolled nearly 1500 members across the country We have enrolled nearly 1500 members across the country. In 2013, with support from The National Trust, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India and CBM, SARO, India, we conducted the first National Convention in October 2013 at New Delhi with the Participation of 150 self advocates, Mentors, families and other supporters from 12 states. We have come a long way. We were able to demonstrate our capacity to speak for ourselves. We created the National Forum called SAFI, (Self Advocates Forum of India).
We deliberated and issued a statement at the end of the National Convention indicating some of the key areas that needs attention. They are: Self Respect Decision Making Opportunity Public Respect Employment Opportunity in all sector Free transportation at their local areas Independence Equal Citizenship Reservation in Education & Employment Rights to Raise Voice
Our representatives from time to time have had the opportunity to address and participate in various public forums. We participated in The Inclusion International Asia Pacific Regional Forum held at Kathmandu, Nepal, An Indo-Irish Encounter- on Legal Capacity organized by NALSAR University, Hyderabad, Global Action Week (GAW) Conference on Education organized by NCE at Delhi, and CBM National Consultation Workshop on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill 2014 at Bangalore.
We conducted National EC meetings of SAFI at Hosur, Tamilnadu and again in Kerala, livelihood programs in different areas and we had SAFI new office barriers for different states and conducting meeting regularly month wise. We regularly address our issues at the annual Parivaar National Parents’ Meets. Our representatives serve on the decision making bodies of state and central executive councils of Parivaar.
We had 2nd SAFI National Convention at Udhaipur in Nov 2015 and in Bangalore in Nov 2016. In that meetings we had 150 self advocates and they discussed about decision making and legal capacity, political participation and promotion of SAFI, There was a time when no one trusted us and we were belittled. We are now emerging as strong advocates in our own behalf. We are raising our voice now, "Yes, We can!.
SAFI needs capacity building for meaningful interventions when issues relating to us are discussed. We need professional guidance and support from our parents and professionals in realizing our dreams. We demand our right to be consulted. We want to make the changes for ourselves through SAFI forum. We want, no one should doubt our ability to make changes in our lives and the lives of our friends.
We want the community to acknowledge the significant role we can play in drafting our agenda for tomorrow. We must be seen as allies rather than only viewed as sons, daughters, students and dependents. We wish to partner in the mission to help in our transition. Thank You.