PULSEAlways onwards

Quarterly NewsletterIssue: APDNL011/OCT-DEC 20

Mission 100 Wound Management Project

This is a movement taken on by APD to help people with spinal cord injury (PwSCI) and their caregivers manage pressure sores that are debilitating at the least and fatal when neglected. It has been found that over 150 persons in APD’s SCI Rehabilitation (SCIR) program suffer from pressure sores. Across 11-12 December 2020, the SCIR team visited the homes of service recipients and provided dressing facilities for wounds, built the capacity of 13 staff, parents and caregivers, and distributed dressing kits to 16 PwSCI.

Wound Management Project

APD’s Reach as of Dec 2020

Developmental InterventionService Recipients

Plan Reach

Capacity Building

Plan Reach

Sensitisation

Plan Reach Plan Reach

Total Reach

Early Intervention 2475 1961 2500 1138 5000 2263 9975 5362

Inclusive Education 1190 1108 1945 247 4100 382 7235 1737

Livelihood 5800 2403 70 33 4000 751 9870 3187

Spinal Cord Injury Rehab 1700 1398 576 349 2670 1198 4946 2945

Kelvin Diagnosis as Global Developmental Delay

Kelvin is a one-year-old baby and his father is working as a daily wage worker. After receiving Moti Start Chair Kelvin’s pain has reduced and he is comfortable in sitting. Now he is able to sit and interact with his parents.

Kelvin seating on his moti start chair

Total 20210 15730 6741 1939 23770 6453 50721 24125

Core Functions 0 0 0 22 0 0 0 22Collaborations 6500 6783 520 33 6900 1601 13920 8417IDRR 545 478 500 65 0 93 1045 636

Disability & Rehabilitation 300 159 0 52 0 165 300 376

CMHP 1700 1440 630 0 1100 0 3430 1440

A 4-day residential camp was organised at Om Hospital, Ranebennur, Davangere to provide therapy services to PwSCI, build their capacity and that of their caregivers, and intervene medically via tests and doctor consultations. The 22 participants were guided on social security schemes and livelihood opportunities. Bedsheets and blankets were provided by the Indian Medical Association, Ranebennur. Three PwSCI joined APD’s SCI Rehabilitation program.

Wheelchair Donations by Prayas Trust, L&T ConstructionEleven wheelchairs were donated by Prayas Trust, L&T Construction for PwSCI. These modern 3-wheeler chairs are specially designed for rough terrains in accordance with WHO guidelines. They were further customized to the needs of the individuals.

A community survey by the APD team ensured the wheelchairs reached people with the greatest need, enabling them to attend school, training, or work for the first time. One of the recipients was a man who was housebound for 5 years. He later shared that the best part of his day now was going for walks with his wife, on his wheelchair.

Survival Kit Distribution for COVID-19 Relief

Over 800 survival kits were distributed to families of persons with disability in Dharwad, Bagalkote, Belagavi, Haveri and Bellary, with the support of Give India. The families were suffering immensely because of the loss of livelihood, unable to meet their basic needs.

APD’s Community Mental Health Program team celebrated World Mental Health Day at Bailhogal and Belagavi Block. A Manochaitanya camp was organised for persons with mental illness (PwMI) and survival kits were distributed to the families, benefitting over 60 people. The participants also included government hospital employees and caregivers of PwMI.

Kit distribution to PwMI families

Food Kit Distribution with Tech Mahindra FoundationAPD, in partnership with Tech Mahindra Foundation, distributed ration kits to 71 families in need from the slums of Gundappa, Indira, and Kateramma colonies in Jayanagar and KH Road areas of Bangalore.

Food kit distribution

Graduation Day Ceremonies for Livelihood Trainees

Over 250 people (trainees, caregivers, APD staff, and chief guests Ms. Shanthi, CSR Titan; Mr Sudheer Reddy, Coordinator, RDT, and Mr. Nakina, CEO, APD) participated in the graduation ceremony of 205 trainees, in an online event. Completion certificates were awarded to the trainees.

From the 2019-20 batches, 122 trainees graduated from Operations Management (OM), BPO and Retail training. The graduation day for BPO and Hospitality training (supported by Tech Mahindra Foundation) was conducted separately.

From the 2020-21 batches, 67 trainees graduated from OM and Retail training while 16 trainees graduated as Garden Specialists.

In another online graduation ceremony, 34 trainees (12 supported by NetApp and 22 by Akamai Technologies Pvt. Ltd.) received completion certificates for the horticulture courses. We appreciate the participation of Mr. Gourishankar Gudla, VP Platform Delivery, Akamai Technologies and CSR Chair, Akamai Technologies India CSR Trust as chief guest; Ms Neha Jain, Director, Program Management, Akamai Technologies and CSR Co-Chair, Akamai Technologies India CSR Trust as honourable guest; and Ms Sushma Shashidhara, Program Manager, CSR India programs, Akamai Technologies as guest.

Parents and trainees shared stories on how the livelihood courses have changed the course of their lives. Training activity videos were also shared, followed by an address by Mr. Nakkina.

N S Hema Memorial Award Winner 2020

This year’s winner was Agni Raksha, an NGO that provides a holistic rehabilitation process for burn victims from poor families, especially women and children. This includes comprehensive medical treatment and opportunities for income generation.

The founder, Dr. Chitra, thanked APD for the award and remembered her time with N S Hema, who was a mentor and inspiration. Dr. Chitra was part of the Outreach program that Hema had initiated. Dr. Chitra remembered her learning and resolved to use the award money carefully and in alignment with N S Hema’s vision.

The work and dedication of the other shortlisted NGOs were also honoured with a trophy and certificate. (Read more about the event)

Shradhanjali Integrated School (SIS) Stays Strong

School may have gone online but the good times prevail with teachers making every effort to engage and educate not just the children but also the parents and caregivers.

Mobile phone distribution: Seven students without phones were donated smartphones to continue their education and stay connected with the teachers.

Mobile phone distribution

Awareness Program at Hanagal Taluk, Ranebennur

65th Kannada Rajyotsava Day celebration: The teachers and APD staff put together an exciting online show celebrating the birth of Karnataka and its rich history. The students participated actively and received prizes and certificates for their efforts. Over 109 people participated including volunteers, students, parents, and APD staff. Watch the video.

The guests included Mr. Kempahonnayya, IAS Officer, West Bengal; Mr. Swamy, Asst. Director of KSEEB, Bangalore; Mr. T S Nagabarana, Director, Producer and Drama artist, Karnataka film industry; Mr. Sanchith Hedge, Singer; Mr. Shanthayya Paradimath, Artist in SJJMH School, Davanagere; Mr. Karibasappa, Police Dept, Davangere; Mrs. Gayathri Narasimhan; and M. A. Hegde, President of Karnataka Yakshagana and Bayalata Academy.

Mohammed Iliyaz’s work

Online drawing competition: Students from class III, V and VI entered their artwork in the Legendary Art 2020 competition by Kumaram Prashanthi Academy. Mohammed Iliyaz’s work was selected as one of the best of twelve artworks.

Children’s Day celebration: SIS teachers, admin staff, therapists, support staff and bus support staff joined hands to wish the children on this special day. Watch the video.

Counselor’s workshop on effective parental support: The SIS counselor and Special Educator sensitized parents of students of class VI and VII on effective parental support and intellectual disability. They also equipped the parents to handle child behavior more effectively and educated them on methods of learning, reading, writing, and spoken skills. The parents appreciated the support and requested more such sessions.

Sensitisation program

Online Sports Day: The online Sports Day for children from nursery to Class VII had both children and parents participating with full enthusiasm and joy. The events included indoor games, innovative use of home articles, self-grooming, craft from waste, and more. Watch the video.

Teaching Methodologies by Teachers Training Foundation: Two teachers attended the informative workshop by Ms Lucy, author of Cleverlands. She presented methods to incorporate group techniques in the classroom and involve students in the teaching-learning process.

Jolly Phonics workshop: Mr. Parag Patgiri organized the workshop on phonics for 6 SIS teachers, training them to learn all about phonics and teach them effectively to students.

International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPD) Celebrations

The IDPD was observed through an online live event. The event was started off by the chief guests, Mr. Subir Hari Singh, Hon. President and Mr. Jacob Kurian, Hon. Secretary of APD. Various life stories of APD service recipients and staff members were shared. Mr. Shubhajit, Graphic Designer, Marketing won the “Life Achievement Story Award.” A documentary on N S Hema’s life was also presented.

Mr. Jacob inaugurated APD’s wall painting project. (Check the post.)

Another event at Kylasanahalli had chief guests, Mr. H.T. Seetharama, Chairperson; Mr. Deepak Suman, District Governor; Mr. David Abraham, Region Chairperson; and Mr. K Srinivasa Murthy, Region Chairperson of Lion’s Club and other senior members interacting with 70 participants including trainees from APD’s livelihood courses. Activities included a tour of the beautiful herbal garden, plants’ sale, a painting competition for trainees with prizes, and the awarding of Lion badges for the trainees.

This was followed by a flash mob dance with the trainees, Lions and APD staff; choreographed by Lion John Rajesh R. Three role models for youth with disability were also recognised – Mr. Madhusudan H, wheelchair tennis champion; Ms. Jyothi, Founder of Sneha Jyothi Ashraya Children’s and Old Age Home that supports differently abled people; and Ms. Ms. Naseem Taj, IT professional and volunteer at APD.

Fifteen celebrities from the Kannada film industry shared their best wishes on IDPD. Watch the playlist.

Painting competition winners Flash mob dance APD alumni Madhusudhan getting rewarded from Lions Club

The DASC project aims to sensitize students from mainstream schools on issues and challenges around disability. Two online and one on-campus events were conducted for 170 students and 15 teachers from St. Eunice High School and Shri Vidya High School in November and December.

The students were made aware of APD’s work for people with disability (PwD). The challenges of PwD were demonstrated through video films, followed by discussions on solutions and role play. The outcome of APD’s programs was also shared with the children, which they found heartening.

Disability Awareness for School Children (DASC)

Role play on sensitization, Shri Vidya High School Students thanking APD staff in Sign Language

DonateBank Transfer, Cheque or Online (Click on below link to donate)https://payments.vpaynow.com/pay?id=sPgYxH4IA/C Name: The Association of People with DisabilityA/C No.: 50100234398650Bank: HDFC Bank LtdIFSC Code: HDFC0000714Email: accounts@apd-india.orgPost cheque to Jawahar Ramanathan - Director, Finance (95133 20556) at the APD address

Visit / Connect / VolunteerThe Association of People with Disability6th Cross, Hutchins Road, Off Hennur Road, Lingarajapuram, St. Thomas Town Post, BangaloreKarnataka 560084Website: www.apd-india.orgPhone: +91 80 25175165Email: contact@apd-india.org

A Social Security and Disability Rights awareness event was organised by APD for 10 students of Annaswamy High School and 10 parents. Information was shared on scholarships, UDID cards, language exemptions, and the government order to use scribes in examinations for students with disability. This information particularly relieved students with some hand disability and cerebral palsy.

Disability Rights session at Annaswamy High School

Awards of the QuarterThe Mary Glowrey - Liliane Brekelmans Disability Award commendation award was presented to APD for its work in the disability space. APD was one of five nominees in the category “Organization from the non-CHAI (Catholic Health Association of India) network.

APD’s COVID-19 relief work for persons with disability was recognised by the District Disability Welfare Office, Udupi. A memento was presented to APD on 3 December in the presence of Mr. Basavaraj Bommai, Hon. Home Minister, Karnataka.

Webinar of the QuarterSpecial Education Strategies for Children with Disabilities (CwD) – This was a special webinar attended by 513 parents of CwD. The expert speakers included Mr. Naren Rathnaher, Special Educator, Satya Special School, Puducherry and Ms. Nimisha Anne Mathew, Speech & Language Pathologist. The topics included the improvement of learning abilities, speech production, identification and rehabilitation of speech and hearing impairment. Watch the recording here.

Online Events of the QuarterN S Hema Memorial Award 2020, 4 Oct 2020 (Recording)

National Cerebral Palsy Day Celebration, 17 Oct 2020 (Recording)

Kannada Rajyotsava, 1 Nov 2020 (Recording)

International Day of People with Disabilities Day (IDPD), 3 Dec 2020 (Recording)

Watch Aishwariya’s Story