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Initiatives

Akshadhaa Foundation is a registered parent trust with 80G grant certificate, working from 2012 with the population with Autism and Intellectual Disability to provide rehabilitation service, therapeutic intervention, life skill training, vocation skill training, parents counselling and training program. The age group of people with disability we cater are from 3 years to 18+ years.

The Foundation is working in connection with multiple corporate houses like ANZ, Dell EMC, Allegis, Shell, L& T, SLK group, 24(7), Iron Mountain, TUV Rheinland, JDA, Goldman Sacs and couple of more companies to bring sensitization among the employees towards differently abled people.

Creating various creative opportunity for corporate employees to interact with people with disability.

To build the “Spirit of Inclusion” in the community.

  • Holding sensitization event in the corporate premise called the “INCLUSIVE CARNIVAL”
  • Exhibition at corporate premise of the handmade products made by the Vocation Unit Trainees named "HandNCrafts"

1. INCLUSIVE CARNIVAL

Our sensitization event is called “Inclusive Carnival” this is a unique model which has been received and appreciated well at corporate houses. The idea is to create an opportunity for corporate employees to meaningfully interact with trainees with Disability. The employees experience the higher values of human nature which is a journey for every human being through life experiences. The empathy towards the less deprived people, mindfulness and being aware of the people who are part of the same community where we belong, gratitude towards the gifts of almighty for our life and achievements; are some of the feelings and outcomes that our volunteers witnessed and shared with us. Along with personal growth, the employees also hold very high value and respect towards their company and feel proud to be a part of the same. These are definitely the culture which every company wants to develop among their team members.

The ‘Inclusive Carnival’ comprises of different events.

a. Information desk

A knowledge sharing corner to bring awareness about the sensory processing challenges of people with autism and Intellectual disabilities, sharing about how to detect early signs of challenges and the necessary intervention models available, with display of tangible materials and equipment. Lot of experintial games, tasks keep the employees engaged and give them understanding how our sensory processing are responsible for the perception we build up and when they get affected, how it affects the daily functioning of the people with disabilities.

b. Learn a skill together

A skill training model is exhibited in a structured working set-up where the corporate employee can work along with a trainee to make vocational training products like paper bag, paper crafted products, canvas painting, clay work, jewellery making etc. The objective is to bring the positive attitude “DO WHATEVER YOU ARE BEST AT”. The employees also get chance to learn a new skill during that time which is an added benefit.

c. Carnival games

The idea is to involve and meaningfully engage the adult trainees with disability to conduct simple yet exciting carnival games for the employees where the crowd can play game and win prizes. This is an opportunity for the students to interact with the mainstream crowd, explain them rules, conduct the event and earn livelihood. The crowd leave with the deeper thought that it is the perspective which makes the task look easier, though needs persistent practice to become perfect.

d. Karaoke Jam

The confidence to speak, talk, converse is a major challenge among candidates with Autism. But some of them with Autism/ID are so talented like anyone of us and they can sing so beautifully remembering the rhythm and words of the whole song.

Karaoke Jam will give a platform to these budding singers with disability who are moulding this as their chosen field of vocation. Corporate employees can sing a song together as an inclusive performance by sharing the mic together. This performance will give these candidates stipend, apart from giving them a platform. They needed persistent training for them to have come to this stage. We should understand that talent can blossom only when an opportunity is given. Definitely the crowd will be entertained and will be touched to know that all one needs is an opportunity and the whole label of autism in only a tag.

e. Dance with Joy

This is a fun social event where the participating member can pair with a person with disability and together they can dance to the music. This is an opportunity to get close and spend some time together and move with joy to understand a person with disability. This will open the mind of the participating member to actually know that a person with Autism / Intellectual Disability is just another person like anybody else, they too want moments of fun and friends. They do have challenges because of the disability but they do have desires and wishes similar to people of their age. The presentation of the dance will give a visual display of Inclusion in true spirit which just needs to be generalised in our real life, and eventually make an INCLUDABLE community.
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f. Drum circle

We also add flavour of fun involvement with drumming and rhythm where every participant is connected and is participating with one rhythm instrument. The reflection of drum circle, gives the perspective that every single instrument is important in the whole orchestra! It is our responsibility to include people with different abilities in the right space and gap to have the complete inclusive community.

2. Exhibit of handmade products

The young adults of vocation training unit, as a part of their training produce different handicraft items that we put up as exhibits and sold to generate money this gives stipend to the student and sustaining the training unit operation. The motive of these exhibit stalls is to sensitize the community about the ability of the people with intellectual disability and create visibility of their hand made products.

Products

Green products (giftable indoor & outdoor plants, decorative planters, herb saplings, soil, compost, Do It Yourself kit of gardening), handmade jewelry, embellished jute bags, coasters, perfumed candles, homemade chocolates and cookies.

Impact : All these events are conducted by the foundation to

  • Create awareness, educate and sensitize the society
  • Raise funds to make the different therapy units and skill training units self-sustained
  • Provide stipend to the adult trainees
  • Bring aspiration among the family members to notice their child with disability being engaged and earning a stipend which gives a ray of hope in building their future engagement avenues.