Identification and certification of differently abled persons in Kolkata

As part of its mission to reach out to the unreached TF has started working with the differently abled children. Last year we have been recognized by the Government of West Bengal (Office of the Commissioner, for persons with Disabilities) to work for with differently abled persons.

Recently we have started identification and certification of differently abled persons from our project locations. Despite stated agenda under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, identification of differently abled children has not been completed in all areas of the city of Kolkata.

One such identification and certification camp was organized on 20th October with the help of Disability Commission, West Bengal, Department of Health, West Bengal and Medical College of Kolkata and Tangra Moitraye Society.

A door to door campaign was conducted by Tomorrow's Foundation and Tangra Moitraye Society, before the identification camp, to generate awareness about the camp, inform about formalities and required documentation for certification. All local leaders and people's representatives were also contacted to make them active stakeholder in the process of identification and certification.

TF and Tangra Moitraye Society volunteers handling registration process

A large number of people partcipated in this camp

We are fortunate that the Information and Technology Minister of West Bengal Mr. Debesh Das, Asst Commissioner of Disability Commission Mr. K.S.Adhikari, all three ward councilors of the Tangra area, Dr. T.K Ghosh, Head of the Central Medical Board, Medical College, local leaders and teachers visited the camp and encouraged the children and TF team.

Mr. Pratik Banerjee of Tangra Moitraye Society helping to manage the identification and certification camp

Parents and children waiting for check ups.

Number of differently abled candidates who attended the camp: 173
Number of candidates who would get certificates: 141 (They will be provided with a certificate and free railway passes within December, 2009)
Number of candidates who would not get certificates: 32 (Causes for the rejection was less 40% disability)
** Despite the awareness programme and our coordination with concerned people's representatives some candidates could not provide their identity proof which was required for necessary check ups and certification.