Margadarshi the Association for Physically Challenged

Physically challenged girls face a lot of neglect from society, more so, when they are from poor backgrounds. Margadarshi stepped in to protect these specially-abled girls from being treated unfavourably, by setting up a home for them and supporting them with education, vocational training services and also imparting leadership and life skills.

To disprove the mindset that a disabled person cannot work, the organisation provides them with opportunities to learn skills like entrepreneurship development programme(EDP), computer training, and handicraft skills so that a disabled person becomes financially independent and leads a self-reliant life.

Disability issues have been treated as charity and of medical nature in the past which is now changing towards development, right-based, identity, dignity, participation and human rights. Margadarshi in this context works to create awareness amongst elected representatives and officials to change their attitudes, behaviours and wrong impressions towards disability issues leading to the proper framing of policies enabling the quality of life of disabled people.

Specially abled children usually drop out of school due to a lack of awareness, poverty and lack of infrastructure present to fulfil their special needs. Margadarshi intends to counsel and bring back such children into mainstream education, also supporting them with scholarships and other relevant services.

This programme identifies children with disabilities, right at birth, which, if left undetected, may lead to irreversible damage and stunted growth for the children. Early intervention on the other hand helps to rehabilitate the child in time and contributes to their growth and development, prevents secondary disability and improves their chances of being normal citizens and contributing part of society.