Persons with Disabilities Self-Initiatives to Development (PSID)

BPKS works with a sole approach - Persons with disabilities' self-initiatives to development (PSID). PSID is a human-right based approach that encourages disabled peoples’ initiatives, participation and ownership in development process and serves. PSID recognizes that disability issues and general development issues are linked and that disabled people can and should participate in and contribute to the mainstream development process. It is based on the belief that the advancement of people with disabilities will bring positive change for the community as a whole. Thus PSID introduces a unique, innovative, and needs-based service system that facilitates PWDs’ sustainable development across the nation through localization of power and ownership of services with and by the PWDs.

PSID introduces a system to localize the implementation of development programs and to also localize the ownership of organizations to persons with disabilities. It empowers persons with disabilities to serve as role models for the community and offers opportunities for all people with disabilities regardless of their socio-economic level.

PSID brings considerable strength to the development agenda of any nation in which it may be implemented. Importantly, it is equally accessible for all citizens, regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, gender or socio-economic status. Much of the power of PSID stems from the fact that it has been developed by, is owned by and is implemented by the primary beneficiaries, persons with disabilities, themselves. The process builds their intellectual capacity, their knowledge and skills in a variety of areas, and their personal empowerment. And importantly because it identifies and addresses the needs of general community, it benefits the entire community. Its systematic structure, for both implementation and operation, makes it cost and time effective. It is adaptable and sustainable, therefore not vulnerable in times of change in a nation. In no way does it compete with other development initiatives in a nation; rather it complements those initiatives and strengthens their opportunities for success. The basic principles of PSID make it appropriate in both the developing and the underdeveloped worlds.

PSID:

• Affirms that the overall development of the nation and all of its citizens will only advance with the intimate and joint involvement and leadership of persons with disabilities and persons without disabilities.
• Affirms that the involvement of persons with disabilities in the development process maximizes their potential and strengthens the overall development process.
• Affirms by organizing of persons with disabilities into organizations of their own their collective strength is built and their participation in the implementation and benefits of development activities is ensured.
• Affirms that by focusing development efforts on the most marginalized members of a society – persons with disabilities – development is assured for all.
• Affirms that the development successes of persons with disabilities will provide a positive role model for other marginalized groups.
• Affirms that people with disabilities, as traditionally the most marginalized sub-group of society, have the most to gain from, and therefore the greatest motivation to ensure, successful development for all.
• Affirms that advancement of the person with a disability advances the overall quality of life of his or her family, community and nation.
• Provides safety, peace, security and freedom from exploitation for people with disabilities, as well as their interests.
• Trains persons with disabilities in the legal, social, economic, governmental and societal features of the nation.
• Guarantees appropriate services for people with disabilities, including children, seniors and persons with severe and multiple disabilities.
• Guarantees quality and appropriateness of services and sound financial management through review, evaluation and making appropriate adjustments.
• Ensures that ownership of organizations and the power for decision-making and services are located at the grassroots level.
• Builds patriotism.
• Builds understanding and awareness of disability issues and respect for persons with disabilities.

(PSID overview) [Impact of the PSID]

GDPOD meeting being held in Narsingdi DPOD's working are