As the saying goes– “Necessity is the mother of invention,” the values and intended interventions of the project are designed around certain key problems that were identified for redressal, with reference to children with intellectual disabilities. Some of the major issues identified in the due course of discussions and deliberations with local leaders and beneficiaries:
- Lack of formal education
- Lack of social support systems
- Stigma
It is noted how all three issues are interconnected and have underlying sub-themes that require focus for complete redressal. For instance, the lack of formal educational institutions for PwDs curb their access to a certain form of socialization, ability to make friends, network etc. This notes how the blockage of one form of capital (cultural) has a negative implication on gaining a different capital (social). At the same time, lack of social support systems implies that there are very few people who understand the needs of PwDs and are looking for their best interests, which may also reflect as a reason why there has not been an intervention to address the education gap in the proposed village. A similar dynamic may be noted in the way each concern relates to one another.
Our theory of change accords to how each of our core values including inclusive education, independent functioning of PwDs, accessibility, enhanced quality of life and social support are pillars that act as routes towards achieving our intended outcome of enhancing the beneficiaries’ social, economic and cultural capitals through our proposed interventions.
