Persons with Disabilities often face barriers that limit their opportunities
and participation in society. Through Project ASTITVA and skill centres,
Aatapi Seva Foundation promotes inclusive empowerment by supporting
surveys, village groups, and integration into Self-Help Groups. Vocational
training, employment opportunities, and micro-enterprises help PwDs gain
independence, while community awareness initiatives encourage
social inclusion and acceptance.
A. Project ASTITVA
Project ASTITVA empowers PwDs in Vagra Block through social inclusion,
access to entitlements, and livelihood support. A door-to-door survey
identified 160 PwDs, leading to the formation of five village groups and their
integration into Self-Help Groups. The programme helped 49% obtain disability
certification and linked 89 PwDs to welfare benefits such as transport
assistance and aid appliances, improving access to support.
The programme promotes economic inclusion for PwDs by providing
employment at the Partition Filling Centre and PGP Glass, and supporting
micro-enterprises like Warli painting, Rakhi making, and organic soap
production. Beyond income, ASTITVA has improved social participation,
confidence, and reduced dependency, integrating entitlement access with
livelihood opportunities to foster long-term inclusion and independence.
B. Partition Centre and Skill Centre
The Partition Centre and Skill Centre support ASTITVA by offering vocational
training and employment for PwDs. At the Partition Filling Centre, 28 PwDs
earn ₹8,500-₹10,000 per month, while 46 trained at the
Skill Centre were placed at PGP Glass, earning ₹12,500 monthly.
These initiatives promote sustainable livelihoods, skill development,
financial independence, and self-confidence, enabling meaningful participation
in family and community life.
Voices from the Field
“With employment support through the ASTITVA programme, I earn a regular
income and feel respected. I am independent and no longer dependent on my
family.”
Maheshbhai Solanki, Person with Disability, ASTITVA Project