Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities

To enable independent living SMRC took up the challenge to provide a holistic health and rehabilitation service for persons with disabilities. A Transit  centre on rehabilitation service was set up. Persons either came from the villages for specific issues or came from hospital stayed for few days and went to the village for rehabilitation services. It included along term education program on prevention of injuries. Its coverage included, firstly accident related prevention of rural spinal and other injuries. Secondly, the prevention of pre natal and childhood disability became an important education component in the programe as indigenous areas were included with an office at Nabarangpur.

1. Research was another component added to rehabilitation

Disasters and Climate Change

SMRC has received observer status in UNFCCC, the lead body of the UN working with countries to set climate change standards.

SMRC’s program began in 1999 when a super cyclone hit the coast of Odisha where SMRC is based. Besides the emergency relief work it initiated a campaign for inclusion of disabled in disaster at State, National and International level.

To carry out its work:

1. SMRC became a member of the International Task Force on Disability Disaster and Conflict of Rehabilitation International.
2. It participated in the Sendai Conference on disaster risk reduction, Incheon strategy and is member of the DRR stakeholder and thematic DRR groups.
3. Its major recent work has been preparing the National Guidelines for inclusion of disability in disaster risk reduction

From 2016 it started work on disability and climate change. It joined DFID and UN to speak at programs in Geneva and Bangkok on disability inclusion climate change. It is carrying out research in climate change.

Women With Disabilities

SMRC’s work on gender has been mainstreamed since its founding.

1. Work has included research, publications, To extend its work in networking, research and training. Its major work has been using human rights mechanism, advocating for policy change. All its work included capacity building so that the women can provide leadership
2. Established the Women with Disabilities India Network in 2012. The Network is a virtual platform where women exchange views, and advocate policies. It has over the years been organizing meetings across India so that information can be collected on issues of concern and take action when necessary.
3. SMRC and Network members have carried out advocacy using Human Rights Mechanisms. including CEDAW in 2014 & UNCRPD in 2019. It has reported to the UN Special Rappoteur on Violence Against Women, Rashida Manjoo, in 2013. It advocated on the inclusion of women with disabilities in the RPWDA 2016.

Membership: It is a cross disability network run by and with Women with Disabilities. For Further information contact Reena Mohanty – wwdin2020@gmail.com