The united actions of PWDs who have organized and managed their own independent self-help organizations will more appropriately identify the problems and constraints PWDs face, and be able to initiate the necessary interventions. Such organizations are also able to be vocal about and advocate for the rights and interests of their members.

GDPOD and DPO Formation

The PSID program forms Grassroots Disabled Peoples' Organizations to Development (GDPODs) at the ward level and DPODs at the district level. People with disabilities are enrolled as members of these local organizations, with regular GDPOD meetings organized and held in the members’ respective communities. Democratically elected representatives and committees of the local disabled peoples' organizations are trained by BPKS, and with the skills of new BPKS staff and volunteers also upgraded. [GDPOD Structure] [DPOD Structure]
Up to 2006, a total of 655 GDPODs have been directly established by BPKS under the PSID approach.

Photo: GDPOD meeting being held in Narsingdi DPOD's working area

Promotion of the DPO's Financial Mechanisms

BPKS provides technical assistance to develop effective financial mechanisms within local disabled people's organizations to ensure accountability and transparency in resource management, in turn building trust, confidence and camaraderie among its members and the general community. Efficient and effective operations of income generation projects implemented by local organizations, together with mobilization and use of local resources, reduce the organizations' dependency on external resources and ensures their sustainability as local organizations.

To ensure effective financial mechanisms for covering the activities of local organizations, the following activities are undertaken:

• savings/loan passbooks are developed for members
• account systems are established for the organizations at the ward and district level
• income generating funds are established for the disabled people's organization
• the access of PWDs to existing local financial support mechanismsand resources is facilitated
• PWDs are facilitated to establish income generating activities [Income Generating Activities]

Intellectual Capacity Building of PWDs

Intellectual capacity building training for PWDs increases the knowledge and skills of PWDs so that they are able to initiate appropriate development efforts for themselves and for the community as well. It enables them to improve their livelihoods, operate and manage projects, and make their organizations stronger and more effective. It reduces their dependency on others in all respects. Mentoring with the members of local organizations provides continuous improvement and capacity building opportunities. [Training]

DPO Localization
The continuity and sustainability of facilities and services generated by PSID are dependent on the local PWDs' and organizations taking ownership of these facilities and services.
A series of capacity building trainings are conducted under PSID, including leadership development, organizational management, resource mobilization, lobbying & advocacy, to equip PWDs mentally and technically with relevant knowledge, information and hands on skills to run their organization and services independently after the withdrawal of BPKS supports. For the economic sustainability of the local organizations various funds are created, such as Management and Development Funds, along with a Program Accelerating Fund. Finally, the local organizations are facilitated to obtain legal entity through registration with the relavent government authority.