JVS has been spearheading a programme on Inclusive Development of Children and Youngsters with Disabilities in 14 states in North India focusing on the overall rehabilitation of over 6000 children with disabilities for the past two decades and more.

In 2023, this programme has directly impacted the lives of 5619 children across 60 locations in 14 states with the support of 127 field facilitators and in collaboration with 60 local CSOs. At the end of the year, we organized two regional gatherings with field facilitators and CSO heads to take stock of the effectiveness of the programme as well as to gain knowledge for effective fieldwork.

The first gathering was held on December 13-15, 2023 in Varanasi, and the second on December 17-19, 2023 in Kolkata. A total of 101 participants participated in these gatherings. Mr. Satish Kumar Singh, Senior Advisor- Centre for Health and Social Justice, Mr. Mohd Zeeshan, Founder-YES Foundation, Ms. Shampa Sengupta, Director-Sruti Disability Rights Centre, and Ms. Gargi, Founder-Prajak, facilitated the different sessions on Gender, Child Rights, and Networking.

Feeling the need to create a stronger network of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations, the participants also deliberated on the formation of a network and drafted a vision statement and objectives of the Network and worked on strategies for engaging with stakeholders. This draft document is to be deliberated at local DPOs and the final document will be drafted at the regional meeting in early 2024.