What do we do?
Disability Awareness and Community Sensitisation
At the Deal Foundation, we are committed to fostering equitable and inclusive development for all. We provide information, advice, training, and support to raise awareness on disability rights and related issues, including:
Key Achievements
2023-2024
1,026
Individuals trained on disability awareness and inclusion.
150
Networking links established with Panchayat Raj Institutions across the Gadag District.
Hosted
The Swavlambhan Change Makers Award Ceremony to honor and promote PwDs and women as community role models.
Disability Inclusion
India continues to make strides in disability inclusion, having ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) in 2006. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 expanded protection from 7 to 21 disability categories, reflecting the nation’s commitment to empowering over 70 million persons with disabilities—more than 10% of India’s population (World Bank figures).
Resilience Research
At the Deal Foundation, we focus on identifying Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and women living in crises and below the poverty line. Our efforts prioritize understanding individual needs to provide tailored livelihood support based on unique circumstances.
Using insights from our Sustainable Livelihoods Survey, we develop a comprehensive understanding of the socio-economic and disability context. This allows us to work closely with individuals and their families to create personalized livelihood plans and conduct regular monitoring and reviews to ensure sustainable progress.
We aim to drive research in the following areas from a disability perspective:
– Rural livelihoods and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
– Environmental health, occupational standards, and promoting decent work in agriculture and agribusiness.
– Food safety, security, provenance, and the role of blockchain technology in local markets.
Key Achievements
2023-2024
Establishment of three agri-based producer organizations.
Development of the Sustainable Livelihoods Research Framework.
Launch of the Sustainable Agriculture Community Conversations Project to foster inclusive discussions on rural livelihoods.
Sustainable Livelihoods
At the Deal Foundation, we focus on building resilience and creating sustainable livelihoods for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and women members. Through our partner network, we provide skills, leadership, and entrepreneurship development training to promote income generation activities across various sectors.
Our training covers diverse areas such as agriculture, dairy farming, vermicomposting, horticulture, kitchen gardening, floriculture, apiculture, poultry, and goat and sheep rearing. We also support the start-up of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in tailoring, food processing, and other allied industries.
We work closely with households of PwDs and women from farming backgrounds to:
Reduce reliance on agriculture as the sole source of income.
Diversify farm-based income generation opportunities.
Improve natural recycling, soil fertility, and biodiversity.
Boost net profit growth and provide fixed income sources.
Enhance productivity, nutrition, and income levels for a better standard of living.
Key Achievements
2023-2024
1,610 PwDs trained and engaged in income generation activities
Creation of four community-based Arambha Svaudyog Kendra (ASK) Centres in Shiratti, Naregal, Belhatti, and Nargund
Establishment of five MSME start-ups
Financial Inclusion
At the Deal Foundation, we are committed to enhancing access to finance for sustainable livelihoods, particularly for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and women members.
Financial inclusion is key to poverty alleviation and achieving inclusive development.
According to the Global Findex Database 2021, India is home to a significant portion of the world’s adults without access to formal banking. We address this gap by offering:
– Financial literacy and skills development training.
– Bank and market linkage support for income generation activities.
– Ongoing monitoring and course correction for financial success.
Key Achievements 2022
582 PwDs and 148 women received bank linkage support
1,113 PwDs and 1,549 women participated in financial literacy and skills training
Local Enterprise Development
At the Deal Foundation, we support the development of individual and community-based start-up enterprises, including disabled cooperatives and women-led producer organizations. Our approach emphasizes capacity building to replace traditional beneficiary models with transformational services that foster community collaboration and deliver measurable social impact.
We focus on:
Key Achievements
2023-2024
Establishment of a district-wide network of Disabled Persons Savings & Credit Cooperatives.
Launch of food production training in partnership with KSRDPR University’s Food Science Technology Research Institute.
Development of a community-based apiary model in rainfed areas to boost local livelihoods.
Capacity Building
At the Deal Foundation, we focus on involving Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and women members to promote public accountability and social justice. By encouraging participatory approaches in the design and delivery of livelihood support programs, we aim to bridge the gap between consultation, collaboration, and empowerment.
Our approach leads to:
– Better alignment of needs with opportunities.
– Improved program efficiency and delivery.
– Achieving inclusive, equitable outcomes, and fostering community ownership for
long-term sustainability.
Key Achievements 2022
Establishment of 173 self-help groups, supporting 1,188 PwDs and 622 women.
Leadership support for 802 PwDs and 987 women in grassroots institutions and community-based organizations.
Join Us in Creating Change
Get involved in our mission to empower individuals with disabilities through entrepreneurship and skill development.