Giving voice to children with disabilities

In a novel initiative, a Christian NGO has brought together children with different disabilities in an attempt to create a platform where their voices could be raised and heard.

World Vision India earlier this month assembled some 60 children in Andhra Pradesh, for their participation in various discussions and debates.

The assembly, which is the first of its kind, gave the civil society a chance to listen to the voices of the children on basic issues like accessibility, education and health.

"So far, the collective voice of children with disabilities has not been taken to the national level," said Jacob Devabaktulu, Advisor, Disability Initiatives, World Vision India.

"We also aim to form state-level networks for children with disabilities and bring them together at a National level on the International Day of Persons with Disability on December 3," he added.

Though there are many provisions for inclusion in the programmes and policies of the Government, it doesn't reach the children.

The June 6-8 forum gave an opportunity to discuss about the Right to Education Act, the Persons with Disability Act, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other such provisions.

"This assembly provided children with disabilities a platform to raise their concerns and make it heard. Our role is to amplify their voice so that it is heard by the policy and decision makers at highest levels," said Reni Jacob, Director - Advocacy, World Vision India

A state level Committee was formed with children with disabilities from major NGOs, including World Vision.

The assembly for children with disabilities was conducted in partnership with other NGOs like Network of Persons with disAbility Organisations (NPDO), PARA and LCD.