Zero Project Innovative Practice 2018 on Accessibility
Supporting businessesincreatingaccessibleworkplacesandinfrastructure
Pakistan – NOWPDP
Summary:
NOWPDPis anNGOworkingon disabilityinclusioninitiatives.BasedinKarachi,Pakistan,theorganization startedacomprehensiveproject forpublic spaceandworkplaceaccessibility andinclusionin2012, and sincethenmorethan50locations havebeenadapted. Todate,morethan2,000persons withdisabilities have benefitted,and30branches ofabank, along withthehead-officesofmultinational companieshavebeen madeaccessible.
ProblemsTargeted:
Oneofthemajorbarriersforpersons withdisabilities inPakistanarerestrictions to thebuilt environmentduetolackofaccessibility.Thisexcludes themfromeducation andemployment opportunities andrestricts themfrombeingself-sufficient, contributingmembers ofsociety.
Solution,Innovation, andImpact:
Since 2012, NOWPDP has been working to transform public spaces and workplaces both in the public and private sector. After working on making public spaces accessible, NOWPDP went on to transformits own officeinto aModelAccessibleWorkplace. Using this first-hand experience,theythenbegantooffersupportservicestomake other workplaces accessiblethroughaholisticapproach, whichincludes creatingaccessibilityofinfrastructureand offering reasonableaccommodations, aswellas,workingon employee attitudesand acceptance throughsensitization andsustainableinclusionpractices whileemployingpersons withdisabilities.In this way,some of the spaces NOWPDP has transformedinclude 30branches ofHBL,Pakistan’s largestbank,the headquartersof Engro–amultinational company producingfertilizers,foodmore, and head offices and locations of Abu Dawood Group and Unilever – Pakistan.
NOWPDPis focusingnotonlyoninfrastructureaccessibilitybutalsoonattitudinalaccessibility through advocacy andinformationalsessions.Amajorpartofthiseffortis makingpeopleand organizations awareoftheexistingAccessibility codeofPakistan.In addition, theorganizationis providing relevantandbasicsignlanguagetrainingtobank cashiers to beabletoaccommodate customers withdisabilities.NOWPDPalso offers the option of certificationtoorganizationsthatcompletedisability inclusionprojects, which they can opt for at the time for setting terms and conditions. This could then serveas arolemodel andan incentive forotherorganizations.
Outlook,Transferability, andFunding:
NOWPDPis replicatingitspracticealready.Basedontheself-experience of thefirstphaseofthe disabilityinclusionproject,theorganization creates customized accessibilitysolutions forother organizations.
Locally, thepracticehas beenproposedtoseveralorganizations,someof whichhave alreadybegan adisabilityinclusionproject.
NOWPDP’sworkis fundedthroughgrants andcrowdfunding, and is supportedbybusinesses and organizationsthatarecommittedtobecoming accessible. Forexample,HBLfunded40percentof thetotalbudget tomake30ofitsbankbranches across Pakistanaccessibleatacostof approximately28,000Euro.
About the Practice at a Glance:
Name of Innovative Practice: Supporting businesses in creating accessible workplaces and infrastructure
Organisation: NOWPDP
Country of Implementation: Pakistan
Factsandfigures:
Until2017,NOWPDPhas:
•Reviewed more than 100 locations for accessibility, most of which are in the process of or have already become inclusive.
•Provided workshops and motivational and informational sessions to more than 250 people with disabilities.
•Supported 10 teams of people with disabilities with funds to start their own businesses.
•Trained more than 700 children and adults with disparities in various skills.
•Placed more than 350 persons with disabilities in jobs and internships.
Contact:
Ismat Juma
Quote:
“NOWPDPin collaboration withAbuDawoodGrouphas madespecialaccessibility arrangements in theofficeandgivenmeappropriatetransportservice.”
–AtifJilany,beneficiary