Due to the lack of representation, persons with disabilities are often unaware of their rights, benefits, and available societal information.
Persons with disabilities (PWDs) should be made aware of the schemes available to overcome these disadvantages and barriers, along with the procedures to utilize them. The Deal Foundation is actively working to raise awareness about the rights to information for people with disabilities. In every taluk, the Livelihood Officer collaborates with the differently-abled, empowering them by providing information and training through self-help societies for a self-reliant life. This approach helps disabled individuals become active, contributing members of society.
Sri Puttaraja Vikalachetana Self Help Society of Shirahatti Taluk is one such society for the mentally challenged. This association was organized by Rekha Maddi, the Livelihood Officer of Shirahatti Taluk, who visited the homes of the disabled in the area, gathered their information, informed them about the association, and provided details about the available facilities for the disabled. Motivated by this, mothers of disabled children and the disabled themselves came forward to form a Self Help Society. Rekha successfully formed the association, which includes 11 members, comprising mothers of disabled children and the disabled individuals themselves. The society was named Sri Puttaraja Vikalchethanara Self Help Society, and with all the necessary documentation, Rekha helped open an account at KVG Bank to support the society’s operations.
All the disabled members decided to contribute Rs 100 as monthly savings. Later, Rekha provided disability awareness training, book writing training, and leadership training to the association in 2016. As a result, the members of the association continue to run it smoothly and without any hindrance, staying committed to their goal of self-reliance.
Later, Rekha provided information about job training and encouraged the members to secure a loan from their association, pursue work that interests them, and live independently. Since the members needed time to obtain a bank loan and wanted to avoid paying interest to the bank, they discussed and decided to first use the association’s savings to offer loans. Four disabled members from the association opted to take loans from these savings to start their employment.
Similarly, Shivleela Hadapada took a loan of 10,000 from the association’s savings, with Rekha’s cooperation, and is using it for both agriculture and her children’s education. Lakshmi Tuli also took a loan of 10,000 for agricultural work and is now employed. Sharanappa Hubli received a loan of 5,000 and is doing centering work, while Udachava Kambali took a loan of 10,000 and is working with a machine for agricultural purposes. All these members are utilizing the loans for agriculture, education, and employment, improving their economic lives. They are repaying the loans responsibly. Encouraged by their success, other members have also decided to take loans and expand their work.
In this way, people with disabilities have formed an association and are engaged in employment. The Deal Foundation organizes an annual Self-Reliance Award program to recognize self-help groups that have obtained loans from their association and have achieved economic growth. The foundation supports these associations through awards, acknowledging their development and encouraging them to grow further. This association was selected for the third prize and received a 10,000 award. Deal Foundation organizes this program every year with the goal of helping people with disabilities access loans and improve their lives.
In this way, disabled individuals are receiving training from the Deal Foundation, gaining employment, and becoming financially independent. After receiving all this support, the members of this association shared their thoughts about the Deal Foundation. It is a matter of pride that such an organization is working for the differently-abled, with Rekha visiting every house, providing information, identifying us, and supporting us in forming an association. This is how we have been able to recognize ourselves. Rekha has also provided us with all the necessary information. By saving in this way, we are helping secure a small but meaningful future for our children. Additionally, they have trained us and supported us in securing employment. Furthermore, they have recognized and awarded our association, which has inspired us even more. On behalf of all the members of our association, we thank Deal Foundation and Rekha for their unwavering support. We hope to receive even more encouragement and recognition for our association at a higher level.
In this way, the Deal Foundation is working for the disabled in every taluk, and Livelihood Officers are contributing to the development of the disabled. As a result, all disabled people and women hope that the Deal Foundation will continue to grow and reach greater heights.
For any specific queries or assistance regarding this blog, please contact info@deal-foundation.com and visit www.deal-foundation.com to learn more about the work we do.
Thank you.”