The unprecedented disruption of lives of unorganised workers and urban poor due to the pandemic and lockdown has impacted Persons with Disability (PwDs) the most. They are struggling to make ends meet.
The Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR), a civil society organisation working with the urban poor and the Swabhiman, a leading disability persons organisation supported by the Water for Women Fund, Australian Government, on Tuesday hosted a webinar, titled, 'Whither the Disabled in the post-Covid context: Making a Case for Alternative Livelihood Development.' The webinar was addressed by experts, decision makers, civil society leaders, rights bodies and community representatives.While speaking about the importance disability inclusion, Fund Manager, Water for Women Fund, Dr Alison Baker emphasized the commitment of the Australian Government towards disability-inclusive development by creating opportunities for people with disabilities to have productive lives and livelihoods.
Executive Director, CFAR, Akhila Sivadas stated that disability is an issue that must be led and shaped by disability leaders, activists and advocates. She went on to add that the webinar is an attempt to bring together disability activists and those committed to advancing the rights of disability to suggest the way forward.Some of the key recommendations that emerged were timely disbursement of loans for the disabled; inclusion in urban wage employment initiative and MNREGA; special focus on those pursuing their own small business enterprise; building capacity through education and skilling; inclusion in all livelihood schemes with market linkages; provision of caregiver and assistance allowance; effective access to water, sanitation and hygiene and inclusion in housing schemes Among others, Swagat Jhankar Mallick from CFAR team, Dr Sruti Mohapatra, Chief Executive Officer, Swabhiman, Dr Manjulata Panda from Hirakud Degree College, Sambalpur,R K Sharma Assistant Director, NCSCDA, Bhubaneswar, Dr Birupakhya Dixit, Practical Action , Sannyashai Kumar Behera, SSEPD Department.