ABOUT
The Confederation of Associations for Persons with Mental Disabilities, which is soon to be renamed appropriately, is an organization moving into its silver jubilee year. It is the only umbrella organisation in India that brings under one roof all three major stakeholders in the realm of Intellectual Disability namely: the special parents of children with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and Multiple Disability, the NGOs whose institutions deliver care and the special education professionals who are the ones to turn persons with special needs into independent adults and useful citizens of the nation. The unity forged is reflected at once in the leadership and at the grassroots.
how it was born
The Confederation was born in the metropolitan city of Chennai, the Capital city of the Indian State of Tamilnadu on the premises of MITHRA, under the benevolent leadership of Late Sr. MARY THEODORE O A M.
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To the credit of the Confederation, it must be said, that it made the political and executive leadership turn to the hitherto uncared for "mental disability".
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The political leadership of the day came forward, for the first time in the history of the State, to grant a monthly maintenance of RS 500 pm to any child with intellectual disability and a consolidated monthly salary for Rs 3000 to three special education professionals in every State recognised school.
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The Confederation has since then been fighting for true inclusion of children and adults with special needs, secure work environment and decent pay package for special education professionals and a conducive environment for the NGOs to carry on their work.
Though it is difficult to bring about the large unity of all, the Confederation is unrelenting in its efforts. It is willing to work with organizations who are into advocacy, innovation and life long care.
