Association of People with Disability, The (APD)

The Association of People with Disability (APD) is transforming the lives of thousands of differently-abled individuals through comprehensive rehabilitation and therapeutic services. APD envisions a world where equity, dignity, and justice are assured for people with disabilities. By adopting a life cycle approach, the NGO aims to build sustainable ecosystems that empower people with disabilities, ensuring access to rehabilitation services, rights, entitlements, equal opportunities, and dignity.

Main Interventions:

Early Intervention: APD promotes child’s age-appropriate growth and development, supporting families during critical early years. It ensures early detection, and social inclusion through an integrated approach, formulating individualized family support plans (IFSPs) and sensitizing stakeholders like ASHA workers, Anganwadi staff, doctors, nurses, caregivers and communities to build a sustainable ecosystem.

Inclusive Education: The NGO focuses on comprehensive education, building ecosystems to promote inclusive education, and collaborating with the education department. This includes academic support, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and confidence-building, alongside extensive capacity building for teachers, parents, and peers.

Rehabilitation: APD aims to provide comprehensive biopsychosocial rehabilitation through a multidisciplinary team, enhancing functional independence and overall quality of life. It includes physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and counselling, using systematic assessments for various orthopaedic and neurological cases. The Rehab On Wheels initiative has transformed the lives of elderly individuals and those with painful ailments in vulnerable urban areas of Bengaluru. Through face-to-face visits, the team communicates its philosophy and capabilities, delivering high-standard services and making a significant impact on the community.

Community Mental Health: APD offers comprehensive rehabilitation for people with mental illnesses, addressing psychological, social, and economic needs.

Livelihood: APD assists people with disabilities (PwDs) in gaining sustainable employment, focusing on those who drop out of formal education. The program emphasizes community mobilization, training, and placement, aiming for at least 40% female participation. It offers job-appropriate training, horticulture, landscaping, and other non-formal courses, in collaboration with training partners and employers.