August 11, 2019
Today is the 22nd anniversary of the Rehabilitation Aids Workshop by
Women with Disability. Since its foundation, the organisation has been
empowering thousands of disabled people across India with prosthetics and
other supporting devices. Today we bring you the stories of some of these
incredible women.
A B. Com graduate, Venkatanaayanamma had given up on the
prospect of ever finding a job. Despite her qualifications, no one would hire
her as she is disabled. Then a friend told her about the
Rehabilitation Aids Workshop by Women with Disability
(RAWWD) in Bengaluru.
Launched in 1997, this NGO aims to empower women with disabilities by
training them how to make prosthetics and other supporting devices.
23-year-old Venkatanaayanamma, who joined here three years ago, is already an
expert at making Dennis-Brown Baby Splints, given to babies with
clubfoot.
“I had polio as a child and after much hardship completed my graduation.
Still, I was dependent on my family. I was not able to earn anything, and it
was quite frustrating”, she recalls.
RAWWD was established with the sole aim of changing the lives of women like
Venkatanaayanamma, says Indira Moses, the finance and
administrative manage here.
RAWWD was started to promote equality of women with disabilities. Through
our network of NGOs, we identify women who are disabled, train them in
making orthotics, prosthetics and other appliances for disabled people.
Then we place them in jobs at RAWWD for three years post which they can
move on to another organisation if they wish to. – Indira Moses,
Rehabilitation Aids Workshop by Women with Disability
Anyone who has completed class 12 can apply for the training programme, with
science students getting a preference. Non-science students can join as well
but they are put through some additional classes. The training is for free,
including accommodation and study materials.
Most trainees come from rural parts of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and
Karnataka, mainly lower economic group families, says Indira. “They are
born without disability but within a year of birth, they come down with a
fever and suffer paralysis or polio”. Their financial background
maginalises them further.
Life has changed now for Venkatanaayanamma. “I am earning a regular income
and am able to support my family. It has made me independent and I get a lot
of respect a home. Best part is that I am doing something to help other
disabled people”.
The oldest member of the programme Noor Jan perhaps best
embodies the change RAWWD has enabled. The 50-year-old never used any
supportive appliances, nor did she leave her home until she joined the
programme. Here, she has learned English and commutes by public transport
using calipers in the legs and bilateral crutches.
“I earn ₹25,000 a month here and contribute to the household”, says
Noor Jan, the pride evident in her voice. A specialist in footwear
modification, she is much in demand.
A common problem faced by all trainees is the lack of familiarity with the
English language. Knowledge of English is essential to understand the para
medical training and technical information. To overcome this, there are
lessons in basic English given at the start. Additionally, a team of
employees from multinational Accenture India come to RAWWD
every Saturday for sessions in communication and language skills.
RAWWD supplies prosthetics and orthotics to NGOs, hospitals as well as
individuals across India. In Bengaluru, teams go to people’s homes to take
measurements to make customised appliances. It also conducts regular health
camps and programmes in schools to check for disabilities.
VISIT: Rehabilitation Aids Workshop by
Women with Disability for details. Or CALL: +91 – 9480775173
