At our All-Staff Meeting earlier this year, we heard Drs. Ravi Chopra and Vijay Mahajan speak on ‘How to Build a Country’. It’s not just about the kids, for many of whom Latika is an oasis in a world that still has a long way to go. It’s about helping build a society where disabled people have a full seat at the table and their voices are valued. At the Latika Resource Center, we’re completely dedicated to building a more inclusive India through advocacy, outreach, training, networking, and media activities.
Teaming Up with Law and Education
In July, we had five law interns from ICFAI University take a deep dive into our work on child protection alongside our Awareness and Wabi-Sabi Inclusion teams. In August, our legal expert Rizwan Ali spoke to students at Graphic Era University’s School of Law about how lawyers can support the rights of disabled individuals, especially in the development sector.
Guiding Families Through the Tough Stuff
We also work closely with families, helping them with the often intimidating process of getting Disability Certificates and legal guardianship. Beyond paperwork, we equip them with the knowledge they need to advocate for their rights. In August and September, we held sessions on what parents need to do to build a secure future for disabled children and assuage their biggest worry: “What happens to my child after I’m no longer around”.
This month alone, we assisted the families of 11 individuals – nine with intellectual disabilities and two with mental illness – to acquire legal guardianship. Two others received limited guardianship. One application for limited guardianship was rejected on grounds that the applicant was not an Indian citizen. We’re helping the family explore alternate legal options so that she can open a bank account to which her uncle who resides overseas can transfer funds for her care.
Supporting Teachers and Social Workers
Last month, we organized a session on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, for 26 teachers and social educators at Aasra Trust, which supports over 8,000 homeless and slum-dwelling children. Our COO and Child Protection Officer, Sumita Nanda, also led two webinars on child protection policy and child rights in India, hosted by the Composite Regional Center for Skill Development, Rehabilitation & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (CRC) in collaboration with Nayi Disha.
A View of a More Inclusive Future
Latika will always be a place where children of all abilities feel welcome, supported, and seen. But 30 years on, we’re tackling more than providing a soft place to land. We’re addressing the systemic barriers that disabled people face every day to build an India that’s inclusive and equitable for everyone. And with our new building heading for completion, we’re just getting started!
