All Sanghar Handicaps’ Association (ASHA), established in 1985 as a self-help organization for people with disabilities in Southern Pakistan. Persons with disabilities in Pakistan encounter numerous barriers and face discrimination across various facets of life. These challenges stem from societal conservatism, high illiteracy rates, inadequate implementation of protective laws and policies, and the country’s status as a developing nation.
In 1985, a collective of young individuals with disabilities from rural and remote areas of Southern Pakistan united to form ASHA. The primary objective of ASHA is to offer support and advocacy for persons with disabilities in the region. Initially, ASHA operated as a modest self-help group with limited resources. Members convened regularly to exchange experiences, address challenges, and devise strategies for overcoming them. Over time, ASHA expanded its scope, providing an array of services for persons with disabilities, including:
1. Education and training: ASHA conducts educational and training programs to equip persons with disabilities with the necessary skills for full participation in society.
2. Disability awareness: ASHA organizes disability awareness initiatives for the general public, aiming to dispel stereotypes and foster understanding of the obstacles faced by persons with disabilities.
3. Advocacy: ASHA actively advocates for the rights of persons with disabilities, promoting Disability Equality Training (DET), Independent Living Centers (ILC), and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Since its inception, ASHA has evolved from a self-help group of individuals with various disabilities to a robust self-help organization. ASHA commenced its activities at the grassroots level, and in 1994, it affiliated with Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) Pakistan, attaining DPI membership in 2000. This affiliation catapulted ASHA into a prominent advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities, both nationally and internationally. Internationally, ASHA has actively contributed to various forums dedicated to disability promotion and mainstreaming, such as DPI, Commonwealth Disabled Peoples’ Forum (CDPF), Asia Pacific Disability Forum (APDF), Community Based Inclusive Development Network Asia Pacific (CBID NET AP), Foundation of Asia Pacific Development Center on Disabilities (APCDF), Asia Pacific Network of Independent Living (APNIL), United Nations Economic and Social Cooperation Asia Pacific (UNESCAP), among others.
ASHA operates on a twin-track approach, dividing its operations into two major components:
1. Service Delivery: This entails the integration of people with disabilities into mainstream activities, including development and humanitarian services.
2. Advocacy: ASHA engages in advocacy efforts to champion the rights of people with disabilities at the district, national, and international levels.
VISION
A society where all vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, aging individuals, children, and women, have equitable access to essential resources and opportunities.
MISSION
To empower people with disabilities through comprehensive initiatives encompassing service delivery, awareness, advocacy, and empowerment and ensuring that individuals with disabilities can lead fulfilling and enriched lives
OBJECTIVES
1. Empower persons with disabilities by fostering self-growth, confidence, and leadership through comprehensive Information, Education, and Communication initiatives, enabling them to make autonomous choices through Independent Living.
2. Enhance the capabilities of individuals with disabilities through a diverse array of skill development programs.
3. Facilitate the establishment of self-employment ventures and small businesses, while fostering connections with relevant government agencies and financial institutions and e-businesses.
4. Provide opportunities for youth with disabilities to engage in sports and recreational activities, promoting their holistic development and inclusion.
5. Lobby for the enforcement of existing UN CRPD harmonized legislation, safeguard the rights of people with disabilities.
6. Ensure inclusive and accessible education for both children with disabilities and those without, fostering an environment of diversity, equity, and mutual respect within educational institutions.
ASHA VALUES
- Commitment
- Unity
- Loyalty
- Integrity
- Equity
OUR ON-GOING PROJECTS
- Vocational Training Center
- Independent Living Center
- Capacity buildings of person with disability.
Achievements
- 120 persons with disabilities from Sanghar were elected as member of ASHA.
- 80 people with disabilities improved their self-confidence and leadership skills through sessions on DET.
- 35 people with disabilities accomplished vocational & IT skills through short courses.
- 15 people with disabilities participated in wheel chair cricket tournaments.
- 09 people with disabilities participated in wheel chair/ try-cycle race competitions at local, provincial and national level.
- 34 people with disabilities were facilitated for government employment against 5% quota.
- 30 people with disabilities were facilitated for getting wheel chairs from PBM.
- 19 people with disabilities were facilitated receiving financial support from Benazir Income Support Programme.
- 37 people with disabilities were facilitated for admission in special and mainstream schools.
- NDF with the collaboration of local government, APCD & CBM worked in flood hit areas of Sindh, for the supply of food, tents, wheel chairs, mobile sets, white cane and other stuff were distributed among displaced people with disabilities in 2010.
NETWORKING
ASHA is an associate member of APCD, JICA, DPI, PDPO, SDF, DSI, participated in make the right real campaign and other several programs.
ADVOCACY & AWARENESS
- ASHA is regularly organizing rallies, walks, Seminars, workshops on national & international days to make right real.
- ACCOMPLISHMENT
- ASHA was given co-chairmanship in Protection Cluster in Sanghar by UNHCR during Flood Response 2011.
- The founder of ASHA Mr. Ghulam Nabi Nizamani was awarded shield on best performance in recognition of his services for the empowerment of people with disabilities in flood-hit areas by Rakz Communication Karachi in 2010.
- The leader of the year award was given by KSRPD (RI) Korea during international leadership training in Seoul 2010.
- APCD awarded empowerment Award from Pakistan during CBID international training Bangkok 2011.
- REHAB Dubai conference award 2008 & 2010 awarded in best performance in the conference.
- Organized CBID Asia Pacific Congresses in Asia and Pacific
- ASHA led 15 persons delegation in International Abilympics 2011 in Seoul, South Korea \.
- Consultancy on disability in CHIP Pakistan.
CAPCITY BUILDING
ASHA staff has received following trainings
- Leadership training by KSRPD Seoul South Korea
- Training of Trainers on CBID by APCD 2011
- Participation in REHAB Dubai conference twice time.
- Financial Management
- Project Management
- Proposal writing & resource mobilization
- Monitoring & Evaluation
Humanitarian Services in 2023
Action Against Hunger (ACF), in collaboration with a consortium including Sanghar Handicrafts’ Association (ASHA), implementing a project since from 2023 to strengthen disaster preparedness in Sindh province, Pakistan. The project, funded by ECHO, focused on two districts: Thatta (implemented by ACF) and Mirpurkhas (implemented by CESVI, another consortium partner).
Facilitating PDMA Sindh: ASHA played a vital role in assisting the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Sindh in developing Anticipatory Action Frameworks for rapid-onset hazards like floods and cyclones.
Protocol Development: ASHA actively participated in establishing protocols for the aforementioned frameworks. This involved technical support from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Flood Forecasting Division (FFD-PMD), and Irrigation and Drainage Departments of Sindh.
Exercise Participation: ASHA was part of an exercise designed to test the developed protocols and proposed frameworks for flood and cyclone preparedness in Sindh.
Protection Cluster Membership: ASHA actively participated in the Sindh chapter of the Protection Cluster, a humanitarian group focused on protecting vulnerable populations during emergencies.
SOPs Development: ASHA collaborated with Helpage in 2023 to develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) specifically catering to the needs of older persons and individuals with disabilities during disasters. These SOPs received endorsement from PDMA Sindh in 2024. ASHA’s efforts in this regard were complemented by HANDS and Helpage organizations.
ASHA played a significant role in various humanitarian initiatives throughout 2023, contributing to strengthening disaster preparedness and response mechanisms in Sindh, Pakistan, with a specific focus on protecting vulnerable populations.
Your kind or Cash contribution will be recognized
BANK ACCOUNT
Title: All Sanghar handicaps Association (ASHA)
A/C No. 177409
IBAN No. PK56JSBL9536000000177409
JS Bank of Pakistan
Branch: Sanghar.