- DIMAPUR — The
DREAM Nagaland (Disability Research, Empowerment and Accessibility Mission)
campaign has reached the halfway mark in its statewide journey to collect
stories, data and insights from Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and their
caregivers.
- An update from NagaEd stated that the survey has been
successfully rolled out in 10 districts, gathering almost 200+ responses from
across rural and urban areas as on Friday.
- The campaign is being conducted in collaboration between the
Directorate of Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, NagaEd and a
network of dedicated community partners.
Also read: Director of the Economics and Statistics Department releases survey report for local level planning
- The campaign in Kohima, Peren, Tseminyu, Meluri, Zunheboto
and Kiphire district is being conducted in partnership with Nagaland State Disability
Forum (NSDF), while in Dimapur, Niuland and Chümoukedima with Prodigals’ Home
and in Mokokchung with Mokokchung District Disabled Forum.
- The campaign witnessed a strong desire among PwDs to access
skill development and employment opportunities, persistent gaps in awareness of
government schemes, challenges with accessibility, mobility and inclusive
infrastructure, while the caregivers have expressed the need for training and
economic support systems.
- “These voices are powerful and urgent. We’re deeply moved by
the honesty and hope shared in every conversation. The work ahead is clear—we
must design systems that reflect real needs,” said Aonok Aier, senior project
manager of NagaEd.
- As the survey expands to the remaining districts, the DREAM
team has called upon the PwDs, caregivers and families for active participation
to ensure that their perspectives shape Nagaland’s future policies and
programmes for inclusion.
