Membership Systems:

The members of the grassroots disabled peoples' organizations to development (GDPODs) and district Disabled Peoples' Organizations to Development (DPODs) that are the member organizations and partners of BPKS, are people with disabilities (or their parents/ guardians or carers) who reside in Bangladesh, irrespective of their age, type of disability, race, creed, color, national origin, gender or socio-economic status. At the end of 2005, the grassroots and district level disabled peoples' organizations of BPKS had 11 075 people with disabilities as members. However, BPKS has a wider range of beneficiaries than just its members. Other beneficiaries include the families of people with disabilities, community members, government officials, policy makers, social and community development workers who all directly participate in the PSID program. Including these groups, BPKS beneficiaries number around 55 000 people. There are also a larger number still of indirect beneficiaries in the community, as those people who see activities, hear advocacy programs or change their understanding of people with disabilities, also benefit from the program without being formal participants in the implementation of PSID.

Membership Details:

The PSID approach seeks the integration of PWDs into the national development process through self-representation and through their own organizations. Under the PSID approach, PWDs are organized at the community level (a “ward” is the lowest administrative unit of the local government) into a "Grassroots' Disabled People's Organization to Development" (GDPOD).

There are three categories of GDPOD membership:

Basic members: Aged 15 years and above, basic members form the core of the GDPOD and are responsible for decision-making. A basic member has to be responsible, be committed to the development of PWDs and must have the capacity to represent PWDs. Only basic members have the right to vote in GDPOD decision making processes.

Provisional members: Aged 8 to 14 years, provisional members can be viewed as apprentice members. They take part in meetings and discussions and learn the GDPOD development, management and activity process, so as to prepare themselves for Basic Membership when they become adults. They have the right to express their views but do not cast a formal vote in decision making forums.

Associate members: These are relatives, caretakers or guardians of CWDs, very elderly PWDs or the severely disabled who cannot attend and participate actively in the meeting. These members are expected to learn, and have solidarity and involvement (as much as possible) with the GDPOD processes. They are encouraged to take part in GDPOD discussions and are expected to be sincere and committed to the activities of the GDPOD and of BPKS. They have the right to take part in discussions and share their problems and views but do not cast a vote in decision making forums.

The structure of GDPODs and their DPOD

Initially a GDPOD is formed in a ward with a minimum of 5 PWDs. It is considered a probationary GDPOD for six months, during which time GDPOD facilitators assess the long-term sustainability of the GDPOD. The capacity of the members to work within the PSID approach, who should be included as a member and the needs of PWDs in the area are considered as part of this process. During this period, prospective members elect a chairperson, secretary and finance secretary for leadership and management of the GDPOD.

The number of basic members in a GDPOD is limited to 40. The rationale behind this is that the presence of more than 40 members would be likely to make management and decision-making cumbersome and potentially problematic, at least in the initial stages of GDPOD formation.

If a GDPOD is thought to have the potential to carry on after the six months, the GDPOD is then considered as a Development GDPOD for the next 24 months. During this time, members receive the necessary training enable them to manage and independently sustain the GDPOD. Skills to be mastered include accounting, management, self-confidence, lobbying and advocacy, and income-generation.

Development GDPODs are encouraged to begin building their own funds and start developing the acceptance of PWDs within their communities. They are expected to be involved in consultation and discussions with the community on various issues and to ensure the participation of PWDs in various aspects of community life. It is also desired that the GDPOD ensures the security of PWDs and their assets and make sure that PWDs are aware of existing laws and policies. The GDPODs are also responsible to nominate appropriate persons to serve on the General Council (GC) of prospective district level DPODs. The district DPOD is then advised to obtain its own legal status as an independent operating organization. At this time it assumes full responsibility with regard to financial and management matters including program development and operations. The PSID project is transformed into a Disabled Peoples' Organization to Development (DPOD) of the respective district and becomes known by the district's name, for example Mymensingh Disabled Peoples' Organization to Development is known as the Mymensingh - DPOD.

After localization of the PSID program, the General Council of the district DPOD continues to place two members with disabilities (one must be a woman with a disability) on the National Council of BPKS. This ensures the DPOD's continued involvement in the national decisions, actions and polices of BPKS. The DPOD's continued interest, involvement and understanding of national issues and the position of PWDs in the overall national agenda is also ensured by this process.