| Brethren Institute for Rural Development (BIRD) |
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| Prakasam District, Andra Pradesh, India |
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| A presentation and training session for field workers by community activists |
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BIRD began in 1989 as a community-based organisation working towards women’s empowerment, particularly women from lower castes who are extremely disadvantaged and marginalized. They supported women to form Self Help Groups (SHGs) to secure their livelihoods and find solidarity. As this work continued, BIRD became increasingly aware that there was another group of very vulnerable and disadvantaged people suffering discrimination and stigma: disabled people.
A survey of the area found over 3,000 disabled people, of whom over 50% have mobility problems, but lack access to any rehabilitation services. As well as seeking to include disabled people throughout their community development work, BIRD are addressing this need.
DDP sponsored three of BIRD’s young disabled volunteers (community activists) to take courses in prosthetics, orthotics and rehabilitation therapy at MIRRTC. The trainees have since worked in BIRD’s rehabilitation outreach camps in the district which are supported by our partner Mobility India and are the nucleus of trained staff for a small rehabilitation centre.
We are now helping BIRD to expand and equip the rehabilitation centre comprising a therapy unit and a prosthetics and orthotics workshop (to make and fit callipers and artificial limbs), assemble wheelchairs, facilitate corrective surgery where needed and provide follow up and support services for disabled people.
Partners Address>> |
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