According to WHO 10% of total population is Person with disability (PwD). Generally PwDs are the most vulnerable community in the society. They are so much neglected in all aspects in the society. As a result they can not avail their rights and fail to live with dignity. Though our constitution, UNCRPD and Disability Rights and Protection Law-2013 ensure the rights of PwDs but it is on the documentary rights, not in reality. SARPV is a development organization which has been devoted to promote the rights of marginalized and vulnerable communities in the society since 1991. SARPV is emphasizing the disabilities issues in all of its development interventions. It has been implementing “Mainstreaming the Person with Disabilities in the society (MPDS) project from 2006 to 2013 and “Promotion of Rights and Dignity of Person with Disabilities (PRDPD) project” from 2013 to 2016 supported by MJF in Cox’s bazar and Gazipur district to promote the Rights and Dignity of Persons with disabilities.

Generally the Union Parishad and other Local Govt. Institutions are the pro peoples Institutions. The motto of all LGI/UP is to serve the people. Central govt. provides the services through local elected bodies i.e. LGI to the mass people of rural as well as urban area. Khuruskul is a union of Cox’s bazar Sadar Upazila which is administering the Khuruskul UP. SARPV is working closely with Khuruskul UP from 2006 to till under MPDS and PRDPD Project to address the disabilities issues. The motto of SARPV was to develop the UP as a disability friendly UP and the success of SARPV is almost completed in this regard. Now Khuruskul UP is working as a disability friendly UP in the area. This UP is providing all sorts of support regarding disability issues. Every year during the budgeting period they allocate special fund to address the disability issues, prioritize the PwDs in social protection program, widow allowance, old aged, maternal, disability allowance etc. enlisted the PwDs in UP standing committees, create disability friendly environment in UP, enrollment of disable children in school or madrasha, gift of sewing machines, special support for IGA etc. It is our great achievement that the ex-chairman and running chairman of Khuruskul UP is very much sensitive to disability issues. In this regard it has become easy to develop the UP. In 2009 UP office has been transferred to its new building and old building has been handed over for the welfare of the PwDs by the name of “Khuruskul Disability Complex” by UP resolution. Ruling chairman of that period played a vital role in this regard. A federal committee of PwDs took the responsibility to run the complex to develop the PwDs by the support of SARPV. Running chairman continued his efforts to run well the complex like as: renovation, night guard support, increase sewing machines for IGA etc. From 2012 the UP has been allocating 2% of collected revenue in favor of PwDs. This fund is using for PwDs. Total UP is playing a favorable role for PwDs. Some IGA projects have been implemented by trained PwDs by the financial support of MPDS and PRDPD Projects.

SARPV provided different types of orientation to the duty bearers of Union Parishad, regular and close contact with them, organize meeting, workshop, sharing sessions etc. to sensitize the UP and work by proactive role for PwDs. As a result this UP has become a good friend of PwDs as well as SARPV.

“Khuruskul Disability Complex” has become as a turning point of PwDs of the area. It has been using as the Office of Khuruskul Union Cooperative of the Disabled (CDP) as well as community center. A mini a garment has been operating here and 12 women with disabilities work for their IGA by the guidance of Khuruskul CDP. It remains open six days in a week and the PwDs visit the center for their meeting, sharing and amusement. In reality it has become the development cum communication center of PwDs by the support of SARPV as well as Khuruskul UP.