Working with the Government
The apathy of the people with voice, visibility, and resources, combined with ineffective policies lead to an increasing voicelessness rendering the urban poor helpless. What compounds the problem even further is, often, the urban poor are disenfranchised on account of being migrants and undercounted in the Census and other official surveys.
Apnalaya advocates the key issues of the urban poor to Government, providing consultation and liaison, building the capacity of government functionaries, collaborating with like-minded organisations, and creating awareness via the media, for improved provision of civic amenities and services.
Working with the Government
The apathy of the people with voice, visibility, and resources, combined with ineffective policies lead to an increasing voicelessness rendering the urban poor helpless. What compounds the problem even further is, often, the urban poor are disenfranchised on account of being migrants and undercounted in the Census and other official surveys.
Apnalaya advocates the key issues of the urban poor to Government, providing consultation and liaison, building the capacity of government functionaries, collaborating with like-minded organisations, and creating awareness via the media, for improved provision of civic amenities and services.
Mapping Disability
In response to a Right to Information petition in 2016, the government stated that the total population of persons with disability (PwD) in M East Ward, according to the 2011 census, was 1,500 out of a population of 8.5 lakh – a mere 0.17% of the population.
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The team at Apnalaya were concerned, because this number does not align with the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates, that PwD make up between 10-15% of the global population, or with Apnalaya’s field experience, where we work with over 1000 PwD in Shivaji Nagar alone – just one small part of M East Ward.
A new Special School: Shivaji Nagar
There is a huge gap in educational facilities for Children with Disabilities in Mumbai, especially in areas like M East Ward. In 2018, Apnalaya began engaging with the Education Department at the ward level (M East Ward) and at the City level to share records of children with disabilities who are eligible for school and unable to receive any form of education due to the dearth of education facilities in the area.
From self to community
In Shivaji Nagar, the lack of basic services makes life difficult. With life already a daily struggle, the lack of adequate street-lighting makes it unsafe; irregular garbage collection makes it unhygienic and a shortage of water makes it impossible to survive.
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Apnalaya has been nurturing many young leaders in Shivaji Nagar – empowering them to change these problems for the better. When Rehan, a third-year B.Com student used to walk in his neighbourhood in Shanti Nagar area after sunset, he would see drug addicts loitering around, girls being harassed and people being afraid to venture on the road as the streetlights did not work.
Mapping Disability
In response to a Right to Information petition in 2016, the government stated that the total population of persons with disability (PwD) in M East Ward, according to the 2011 census, was 1,500 out of a population of 8.5 lakh – a mere 0.17% of the population.
Â
The team at Apnalaya were concerned, because this number does not align with the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates, that PwD make up between 10-15% of the global population, or with Apnalaya’s field experience, where we work with over 1000 PwD in Shivaji Nagar alone – just one small part of M East Ward.
A new Special School: Shivaji Nagar
There is a huge gap in educational facilities for Children with Disabilities in Mumbai, especially in areas like M East Ward. In 2018, Apnalaya began engaging with the Education Department at the ward level (M East Ward) and at the City level to share records of children with disabilities who are eligible for school and unable to receive any form of education due to the dearth of education facilities in the area.
From self to community
In Shivaji Nagar, the lack of basic services makes life difficult. With life already a daily struggle, the lack of adequate street-lighting makes it unsafe; irregular garbage collection makes it unhygienic and a shortage of water makes it impossible to survive.
Â
Apnalaya has been nurturing many young leaders in Shivaji Nagar – empowering them to change these problems for the better. When Rehan, a third-year B.Com student used to walk in his neighbourhood in Shanti Nagar area after sunset, he would see drug addicts loitering around, girls being harassed and people being afraid to venture on the road as the streetlights did not work.