Jamshedpur: Tata Steel Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) on June 30 for creating a learning ecosystem for organisations and individuals working for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in India.
The MoU was signed by Sourav Roy, Chief Executive Officer, Tata Steel Foundation and Arman Ali, Executive Director of NCPDEP for a period of one year.
As part of this, both entities will collaborate to organise a National Annual Seminar which will focus on rural disability with livelihood, health, access to education, rural innovation, delivery of services as prime contexts. In addition, a minimum of two pilot projects on formation, training and strengthening of Disabled Persons’ Organisation (DPOs) will be rolled out in rural Jharkhand and Odisha. The MoU also has scope to encourage a research-based publication addressing rural challenges. It will work on the contours of RPWD Act, linkages to schemes, delivery of services, to name a few.
Speaking on the occasion, Arman Ali said: “The collaboration would play a vital role in bringing forward the stories from grassroots. It is my strong belief that true policy reforms will only be effective when it reaches the grassroots. Sabal Initiative has been continuously doing great work on ground for people with disabilities. Through this partnership, we look forward to identifying people with disabilities, build their capacities as disability rights’ advocates as well as bring in more collaborations with government and other stakeholders at regional level”.
On the occasion, Sourav Roy said: “SABAL has been quietly building a platform which brings together communities, civil society, companies and public systems to stand by persons with disabilities in a quest for dignity and ability. It works with more than 10,000 people every year prioritising those who remain vulnerable even within the current discourse on disability. We believe that NCPDEP and SABAL have a shared ethos and we are excited at the possibilities that this collaboration may open for the many.”
The Foundation enables its programme SABAL with an aim to create a platform for persons with disability through a participative atmosphere and inclusive infrastructure that enables skilling, employability and financial independence.