Advocacy UpdatesAdvocacy Updates

experiences & opportunitiesexperiences & opportunitiesNov 2007 – May 2008Nov 2007 – May 2008

Development and Human RightsDevelopment and Human Rights

Development and human rights are closely linked

Sustainable development is impossible without respecting human rights and,

At the same time, the advancement of human rights is not possible without development

Development and Human RightsDevelopment and Human Rights

”Development” is more than fighting poverty Traditionally, development has concentrated

on meeting people’s needs, whereas In a human rights based approach

development is broadened It includes defining people’s rights and

empowering people to exercise those rights.

Source: CBM’s Disability and Development Policy

Key Strategies AdoptedKey Strategies Adopted

With the partners in promoting the “Taluk (Block) Disability Advocacy Programme (TDAP)”

By/ At the CBR Forum Secretariat

““Taluk (Block) Disability Advocacy Taluk (Block) Disability Advocacy Programme (TDAP)”Programme (TDAP)”

Level 1 Training for the field staff of the partner

organisation in sharpening the understanding on “Advocacy, Lobbying and Campaigning”

Building capacities of persons with disabilities and their group on understanding the issues related to

DisabilityDiscrimination and Human Rights

““Taluk (Block) Disability Advocacy Taluk (Block) Disability Advocacy Programme (TDAP)”Programme (TDAP)”

Level 2 Facilitating interactions between

persons with disabilities and their groups with Govt. Officials and Elected representatives on their roles and responsibility with regard to the implementation of the PWD Act

Following up on this programme and ensure appropriate actions are undertaken as promised

Taluk Disability Advocacy Progammes (TDAP) with our PartnersTaluk Disability Advocacy Progammes (TDAP) with our Partners

4. APD, Kolar

2. COD, Tamaraserry

1. IRCDS Tiruvallur

5. Nava Jeevana, Bellary

9. Sadhana, Baripada

3. UMVK, Kakinada

7. Bethany, Shillong

8. MVSS, Vishakapatnam

6. LGSS, Lohardaga

Nov 2007 – May 2008Nov 2007 – May 2008

Key Learning's/ Outcomes Key Learning's/ Outcomes from the various TDAP from the various TDAP

held between Nov 07 – May 08held between Nov 07 – May 08

IRCDS Tiruvallur, Tamil NaduIRCDS Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu

IRCDS Tiruvallur, Tamil NaduIRCDS Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu

Using the “Grievance Day” organised by the District Collector as an opportunity to mirror the status of implementation of the PWD Act in the District to all the 150 odd Govt. Officials from various departments in the district

Presenting the case with evidence (photographs) has been powerful

Identified the need to prepare and groom leaders from the local disabled people’s federation to present their case

The need for effective follow-up with the different Govt. departments

Nov 2007

COD, Tamaraserry, KeralaCOD, Tamaraserry, Kerala

Meeting with Gram Panchayat (GP) Members at Kurachundu

GP had up to date information on budget allocations for PWD and expenditures, number of beneficiaries under different schemes such as Goat Rearing, Cloth Bag making

PWDs and their collective need to be proactive in liaising with the GP and plan

Increasing the inclusion and participation of PWDs identified in the area

COD, Tamaraserry, KeralaCOD, Tamaraserry, Kerala

Dec 2007

Uma Mano Vikas Kendra, Kakinada, Uma Mano Vikas Kendra, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh

UMVK, Kakinada, Andhra PradeshUMVK, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh

Involvement of Gram Sarpanch, MPTC, Health Worker, Representative from NREGA programme in the SHGs meeting

SHG of PWDs invited for the monthly Grama Sabha meeting

Mandal Level Disability Advocacy Programme at the MDO Office where over a 100 PWDs from the SHGs and all Dist. Level officials including the MLA involved in the interaction

The need for effective follow-up with the different Govt. departments

Jan 2008

APD, R-CBR, Kolar, KarnatakaAPD, R-CBR, Kolar, Karnataka

APD, R-CBR, Kolar, KarnatakaAPD, R-CBR, Kolar, Karnataka

Addressing the challenges faced by the federation of PWDs in 2 Taluks/ Blocks– Continuity of its members– Sustainability– Leadership

Developing a future plan with the federations from the 2 Taluks

Jan 2008

Nava Jeevana, Bellary, KarnatakaNava Jeevana, Bellary, Karnataka

Nava Jeevana, Bellary, KarnatakaNava Jeevana, Bellary, Karnataka

Success following the previous TDAP included– Releasing the loan from SC/ ST Corporation by

the Bank for a person with visual impairment– The DC now holding monthly ‘Adalat’ meeting

Training Session on Disability and Human Rights with Pawan

Developed the future plan to fulfill the aims / objectives of the federation

Apr 2008

LGSS, Lohardaga, JharkhandLGSS, Lohardaga, Jharkhand

LGSS, Lohardaga, JharkhandLGSS, Lohardaga, Jharkhand

As per the new format of TDAP, this was the first TDAP where CBR Coordinators from 9 partners in the region participated (6 Jharkhand, 3 – Bihar)

Following this - The CBR Coordinator and the CBR Worker have a Cluster wise plan of action to scale up their Advocacy strategies done with PWDs and SHG reperesentatives

CBR Coordinators got greater insights on ways of involving PWDs/ SHGs in developing the advocacy strategies

Apr 2007

Bethany Society, Shillong, Bethany Society, Shillong, MeghalayaMeghalaya

Bethany Society, Shillong, Bethany Society, Shillong, MeghalayaMeghalaya

CBR Coordinators from 13 partners in the region participated (Assam – 2, Manipur – 4, Meghalaya – 3, Mizoram – 2, Nagaland – 2)

The members of the ACP (Association of Challenged Persons, Meghalaya) – able to “Understand and articulate their Rights”

Identified broad areas for strengthening the ACPCoordinators from the region have expressed that

this event provided them with a great opportunity to learn and strengthen their advocacy programmes

Apr 2008

MVSS, Vishakapatnam, MVSS, Vishakapatnam, AndhraPradeshAndhraPradesh

MVSS, Vishakapatnam, MVSS, Vishakapatnam, AndhraPradeshAndhraPradesh

CBR Coordinators from 9 partners in Andhra Pradesh participated

Participants from the MVS (Mandal Vikalang Samithi) were able to articulate their rights, learn from the different presentations made by the CBR Coordinators from the Region

Opportunities for collaborative work amongst the partners in the region have been identified

2-day event was reported in Sakshi, E Nadu and Surya – 3 leading vernacular news papers in Vishakapatnam

May 2008

Sadhana, Baripada, OrissaSadhana, Baripada, Orissa

Sadhana, Baripada, OrissaSadhana, Baripada, Orissa

CBR Coordinators from 10 partners in the region participated (7 Orissa, 3 – West Bengal)

Participants from the CSO (Civil Society Organisation) were able to arrive a common understanding of disability and its consequences

CBR Coordinators from the Partners learnt different methods of engaging/ involving CSOs on issues related to the Rights of PWDs

Partners have a clear action points for involving PWDs and their collective in advocacy related actions

May 2008

Future Plans of TDAPFuture Plans of TDAP

Future Plans of TDAPFuture Plans of TDAP

Facilitate the formation and strengthening of Taluk/ District level Federation of Persons with Disabilities

Inviting CBR Coordinators from the partner organisation representing the region to participate and involve in TDAP process twice a year

Facilitate the replication of the TDAP Process in all our partners as a means to strengthen the advocacy initiatives

Strengthen Regional Network – facilitate exchange of skills/ information/ sharing resources

Involvement at Involvement at the State/ National Levelthe State/ National Level

Discussions on UNCRPDDiscussions on UNCRPD

Understanding the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) with members of the Disability Activist Forum, Kolkata

Nov 2007

Strategic Round Table on – Strategic Round Table on – Implementation of UNCRPD Implementation of UNCRPD

- DPI & NCPEDP – Delhi – Feb08- DPI & NCPEDP – Delhi – Feb08Short Term Lobby for a focal point for the Monitoring and

Implementation of UNCRPD Amendment to the PWD Act to be in line with

UNCRPD Need for a generating huge awareness on

UNCRPD Build capacities - Training of Trainers Develop Implementation check list on “How each

Ministry can work towards the implementation of the UNCRPD”

Strategic Round Table on – Strategic Round Table on – Implementation of UNCRPD Implementation of UNCRPD

- DPI & NCPEDP – Delhi – Feb08- DPI & NCPEDP – Delhi – Feb08Medium to Long Term Translating into regional languages Resource mobilization Review the domestic laws Alliances with other marginalized groups Reflect our own work in relation to the Convention Strengthening the network – building Disability

Alliance Regular audit of implementation

National Consultation on Aligning Disability Legislations with UNCRPD

- AADI and SAARTHAK – Feb 08

To explore and discuss the issues in aligning the Indian Legislations with respect to Disability to the UNCRPD

Influencing the present amendments process - sent representation to MSJE to constitute a Drafting Committee to ensure the PWD Act (PWDA) is in harmony with UNCRPD

Workshop with the MediaWorkshop with the Media

The aim of this meeting is to work with the media to highlight the wealth of human-interest stories from the world of Disability

Discussed on “Ways in which news images represent disability and its

effect on society’s attitudes towards PWDs and the self-image of people with disability?”

“Ways (journalists/ Civil Society) can begin to create a more accurate representation of disability” and on

“How CBR Forum and others can join hands with journalists to realize the above?”

Feb 2008

Karnataka State Assembly ElectionsKarnataka State Assembly ElectionsFree and Independent AccessFree and Independent Access

Work with Karnataka Rajya Angavikalara Okkuta to highlight the lack of “Free and Independent” access to the polling process in Karnataka Assembly Elections – Apr/ May 2008

Dissemination of information Dissemination of information by CBR Forum Secretariat by CBR Forum Secretariat

Monthly E-News Bulletin Regular Updates of CBR Forum Website

Comments/ Clarifications/ QuestionsComments/ Clarifications/ Questions

Thank youThank you

C Mahesh

CBR Forum

advocacy.cbrforum@gmail.com