“ Hum bhi chunenge apni dagar (we will also choose our own destiny) Sahyog aapka chahiye, doston ki dosti chahiye (we need your help, need the friendship of friends),” sang differently-abled persons at the opening ceremony of Badhte Kadam (marching steps), a National Trust initiative.

Raising awareness on disability rights, countering myths and assuring communities that people with disabilities can lead mainstream lives are some of Badhte Kadam's endeavours.

Through this initiative, which is in its third year, the Trust hopes to change attitudes and help people to understand disability in a developmental context. They also wish to reach out to disabled persons in various parts of the country to empower them to access the Trust and other government schemes.

“The project is trying to reach out to the unconverted,” said Poonam Natarajan, Chairperson of the Trust. The real challenge is in convincing the people that differently-abled persons can lead a mainstream life, she said.

The initiative comprises people with disabilities and volunteers travelling to various States. This year, they will go to all States except Mizoram and Sikkim and the focus is on being more proactive.

Sporting events, writing competitions, puppet shows, traditional theatre and other events are being organised by various partner organisations in towns and villages from October 24 to December 2. For instance, Action for Ability Development and Inclusion is organising “flavours” in Ballabhgarh and Ghaziabad among other places. It is also organising nukkad nataks (drama) in slums of Delhi.

“In the first year, we travelled in loops from Delhi and went to 13 States and one Union territory. In the second year, we went to all States, except Jammu and Kashmir and Mizoram and organised 240 melas,” said Michael J Rosenkrantz, Fundraising Advisor and Capacity Builder, National Trust.

The Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme formulated and funded for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes will also support scholars from the disabled category, said Mukul Wasnik, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment at the event. The Trust, a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, works for the welfare of persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, etc.

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