Project Description
✤ It represents a proactive approach to promoting social inclusion and building a more equitable and accessible world for everyone.
✤ It demonstrates a strong commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of people with disabilities.
✤ The initiative aims to foster an environment where individuals with disabilities can thrive and reach their full potential.
✤ It seeks to break down barriers and eliminate discrimination, enabling active participation and contribution from all members of society.

Our project is aligned with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) i.e. 1. SDG 3 (Good Health and Well Being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals). The project collaborates with organizations like the Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP) and the SAAYA Association. It demonstrates a strong commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of people with disabilities. It seeks to empower them not only socially but economically, break down barriers and eliminate discrimination, enabling active and equal participation and contribution from all members of society.

Activities done so far are:
a) conducting Awareness Sessions i.e. To raise awareness about the challenges faced by people with disabilities, we conducted awareness sessions not only within our university but also in the general public. We distributed brochures in local languages that provided information on communication etiquettes when interacting with people with different disabilities.

b) Exposure Therapy Event i.e. One of the most impactful events was the Exposure Therapy for Behavioral Modification and Eradication of Irrational Beliefs Towards People with Disabilities. This event was held at the 75th Anniversary of WHO event celebrated by Department of Public Health (DPH). During this event, we created a Wheel of Misconception on which different myths related to people with disabilities were written. Normal individuals had the opportunity to sit in wheelchairs and experience various activities designed to challenge these myths. The event successfully debunked stereotypes and misconceptions.

c) Moreover, we conducted training workshops on coping and healing, addressing emotions, online sessions for suicide prevention, mental health, encouraging industrialists to construct ramps for accessibility.

d) advocacy for the inclusion of people with disabilities in the next census in Pakistan was a significant aspect of our project aimed to raise awareness and push for their representation in official data collection processes

Our next planned activity is the EmpowerABILITY Online Skill Building and Grooming Program.This month-long initiative is dedicated to empowering differently abled individuals by equipping them with essential life and professional skills. The program will consist of three comprehensive components: Self-Acceptance, Skill Building, and Grooming. The Self-Acceptance Session is designed to provide a supportive and inclusive space for differently abled individuals. During this session, participants will have the opportunity to explore and embrace their unique abilities and challenges, fostering self-acceptance and empowerment. The session will emphasize the importance of recognizing one's self-worth and the value of diversity within our community. The Skill Building component will focus on equipping participants with vital life and professional skills. This includes certification programs in soft skills such as CV Making, Job Interview Tips, Microsoft Office Suite (PPT, MS Word, Excel) and Professional Communication Skills and help them to generate their employability. The Grooming component goes beyond appearance to encompass self-confidence and personal presentation. It aims to boost self- assurance and personal development, ensuring that differently abled individuals can present themselves confidently in both personal and professional settings.

In addition to these components, the program will include dedicated sessions addressing how to navigate and overcome discriminatory attitudes towards differently abled individuals. We strongly promote the use of technology as a means to ensure that our valuable sessions are accessible to a wide and diverse audience. With online sessions, anyone, regardless of their geographical location, can have free and convenient access to our sessions. This not only supports our mission of inclusivity but also serves as a practical solution for individuals with urinary bags who may face challenges in attending in-person sessions.

In conclusion, our project is a testament to the power of community, collaboration, and the pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals. As a final-year student of Public Health at NUMS, I am proud to be part of a project that strives to create a more inclusive and equal society. The work done so far has shed light on the challenges faced by differently abled individuals and has already begun the process of dispelling myths and stereotypes. The journey has just begun, and we are committed to making a lasting impact on the lives of differently abled individuals in Pakistan, working towards a more inclusive and equitable future.