Srijan Ability Programme – Creating Awareness. Challenging Perceptions. Championing Inclusion.
Initiated in 1999, the Srijan Ability Programme has been instrumental in expanding access to schools and creating awareness about the abilities and potential of persons with disabilities. Its early interventions helped Jan Madhyam establish meaningful connections with several schools in Aya Nagar village, Delhi, which today houses the organisation's Inclusive Lab.
Building on this experience, the programme expanded its outreach in 2023 to approximately eight schools across Gonda and Basti districts of Uttar Pradesh. Through innovative, interactive and creative engagement, Srijan works to transform how children, teachers and educational institutions perceive disability.
The programme uses experiential learning to move beyond conventional disability awareness campaigns. Its activities include:
A distinctive feature of Srijan is its inclusive team-led approach. Persons with disabilities take the lead in facilitating activities and demonstrating their abilities, enabling children to experience inclusion first-hand.
Following each school engagement, students and teachers share their feedback through structured forms that assess changes in their perceptions and understanding of disability. The overwhelmingly positive feedback reflects the value of direct interaction in challenging stereotypes and nurturing empathy, acceptance and respect.
By bringing persons with disabilities into classrooms as educators, facilitators and role models, Srijan creates opportunities for children to recognise ability beyond disability and embrace diversity as a natural part of society.
Community Engagement: Creating Change from the Ground Up
Jan Madhyam believes that sustainable social transformation begins with active community participation. Building an inclusive society requires more than awareness campaigns; it calls for sustained engagement with families, parents, educators and community stakeholders.
Through its community-based disability awareness initiatives, Jan Madhyam works to address misconceptions, strengthen understanding of disability rights and encourage the active participation of persons with disabilities in everyday community life.
Detailed Overview
Key interventions include:
- Awareness and Advocacy Campaigns: Poster campaigns and community workshops promoting disability awareness, equal rights and social inclusion.
- Ability Mela: An annual event organised on 3 December to celebrate the abilities, achievements and contributions of persons with disabilities while promoting inclusion and equal opportunities.
- Parent Engagement Meetings: Interactive platforms for parents to exchange experiences, discuss challenges and understand the importance of inclusive education and support systems.
- Parent Training and Capacity Building: Knowledge-sharing and training sessions that equip parents with practical understanding and tools to support the development, independence and participation of children with disabilities.
Medical and Health Camps: Community-level health interventions that facilitate access to medical consultations, health awareness and essential support services.
Through sustained school partnerships and community engagement, the Srijan Ability Programme seeks to create a shift in attitudes – from seeing disability through the lens of limitations to recognising individual abilities, potential and equal rights.
At Jan Madhyam, disability awareness is not just about understanding disability; it is about recognising ability, breaking barriers and building a society where everyone belongs.