Access & Empowerment

Access & Empowerment

The Access and Empowerment project funded by International Inspiration started with a view to ensure the inclusion of children with disability in schools through an inclusive sports programme. In the first year a door to door community survey was conducted to identify the children with disabilities. The programme commenced in the 15 target schools. After that in the second year the programme adds 10 new schools. About 1000 children with disabilities were identified and referred to CRP Head office and its divisional centres to receive treatment and rehabilitation services at low cost. This project also provided 57 assistive device supports to the children with disabilities. Care giver education with referral and follow up of children with disabilities was conducted. Awareness and advocacy programmes with school teacher, sports mentors, peer supports, DPOs, local representatives and parents also were carried out throughout the project duration to assist in the inclusion of children with disabilities in schools. In addition this project provided inclusive sports materials to school and community.

Regional inclusive sports programme has been completed in 3 divisions (Rajshahi, Barisal and Chittagong) in second year. Through this project sport has been used to foster friendships, reducing social isolation of children and young people with disabilities and promoting their voice in the community. In the second year the project was achieved the first award in inclusion by design impact award http://committoinclusion.org/2016-inclusion-by-design-impact-awards-winn....

This project created lifelong friendships among children with and without disabilities through sport and play at the community level. This very simple system by which children with disabilities are the ‘gate keepers’ of low-cost durable sports resources (e.g. traditional games, board games, cricket sets, etc.). The resources are accessible to everyone and should children with and without disabilities wish to play with them, they have to do so in cooperation with the ‘gatekeeper’. In this way a CWD had the opportunity to develop physical, emotional and socially. . In the end, the children are coming together, creating friendships and themselves creating more inclusive communities, while learning together how to break down societal barriers including negative stereotypes and beliefs.