DISHA (A Special school for mentally challenged children)

DISHA, a Special School For Mentally Challenged children / Persons, was established by Deshabandhu Club with a view to show proper direction to mentally challenged children/persons & their parents to lead their lives. Persons with disabilities are one of those marginalized people who need our attention and guidance.

Disha is one of the disability initiatives of the organization and initiated in the year 2003 as a day care centre. From the beginning, special classes and Clinic are available for PWDs and at the moment almost all important services were incorporated in the day care centre like daily living skills, physiotherapy, Music, Art, Computer classes and Vocational training activities. The students remain in the day care centre from 10-00 a.m. to 3-00 p.m. and centre remains open on five days a week.

PARENTS ASSOCIATION OF MENTALLY CHALLENGED CHILDREN OF SOUTH ASSAM

In the year 2004, a parents Association of Mentally Challenged Children of South Assam was formed and it got registered under Society Registration Act in Assam in 2005. The member of the Association meet regularly to take different Programs to improve the conditions of the disabled persons as a whole.

DESHABANDHU BECAME A MEMBER OF NATIONAL TRUST

As member of National Trust, Deshabandhu Club has been entrusted with the membership of "Local Level Committee" of Cachar, Karimganj, Dima Hasao & Hailakandi time to time.

Activities in DISHA

The students are given training on daily living skills and in addition, students are taught basic academics, money transaction to become well equipped to deal with the daily activities, motor functioning. Apart from these, they are taught about vocational skills like making envelops flowers & flower vases. Every Saturday Physiotherapy session is held for the children by a Physiotherapist.

Goal

The main Goal of this program is Rehabilitation to these children and their life.

Objects

The main objects of the program are :

• To build up among mentally challenged children along with their family a spirit of self-reliance and self-determination.
• To create mass awareness on disability issues and fight for stigma and discrimination.

The student strength has gone up to 30th April 2026. Generally, four types of children are admitted in this centre. These are Mental Retardation, Cerebral Palsy, Autism & Multiple Disability.

Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Program

Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) for persons with Disabilities in Kalain Block of Cachar District of Assam

• Goal of the program : PWDs would have awarded their rights as per law and they are to participate fully and effectively in the activities of the society
• Objective of the program : CBR program is an attempt towards rehabilitation of all kinds of disabled and remove stigma and discrimination and inclusion and empowerment of PWDs of all the area leading a good quality of life.

Brief description on the overall achievement

• Knowledge level of PWDs is growing gradually on rights of PWDs
• 21 VDPO and 4 PWDs formed to strengthen for availing the rights of PWDs.
• PDPO leaders actively taking up their issues at block level.
• Rapport building with PRIs and line depts. is developing.
• DPO members have started lending in their SHG groups and started livelihood activities.

Challenges faced

• Delay in issuing of disability certificate
• Poor support from school authority for providing assistance
• Poor barrier free environment at school level
• Public places and transportation are not accessible

Step taken to address the problems

• Meeting with district administration, Health departments, Social welfare department regarding action for issuing disability certificate and other related issues of PWDs.
• Net working school authority.

Recommendation

• Involvement of more and more PWDs / parents of CWDs in village level DPOs so that they can act together in achieving change in the community mind and involvement of active participation.
• Formation of panchayet level group among the DPO members.
• Majority of DPO members are gained knowledge on rights of PWDs.
• The organization is optimistic on the issues of sustainability of the project, Sustainability of the project is based on when community people have learnt their rights to continue generate their voice.
• The organization will facilitate to form pressure group for continuing lobbying with govt. and none govt. agency for their rights.
• The organization will emphasis to educate their rights viz. rights to life, human rights etc.

SAMARTH PROJECT UNDER THE NATIONAL TRUST & THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT, GOVT OF INDIA

A respite home (Residential School) for persons with Intellectual Disability (Autism, M.R, C.P, Multiple Disability) has been started in 2021 at DISHA Rehabilitation centre, Srikona, Ramnagar, Silchar, more than 14 children/persons with Intellectual Disability are staying in this Respite home.

The National Trust has been providing fund for every BPL students with Intellectual staying in this Respite Home regularly.