Our Projects

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MORIRO MARKAZ

Moriro Markaz is the first Center of Excellence for Disability Inclusion, providing a comprehensive solution for the independence and empowerment of people with disabilities. Managed by NOWPDP and funded by the DEPD (Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities), Government of Sindh.

The Story of Moriro:

Moriro’s story of valor and courage is deeply rooted in Sindh. Honored by the great Sufi poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai in Shah Jo Risalo, Moriro, despite his disability, rose above his challenges. Moriro avenged his brothers' deaths by retrieving their bodies from a crocodile and laying them to rest in their native village. Inspired by this heroic tale, NOWPDP named the Center of Excellence for Disability Inclusion "Moriro Markaz" to reflect the profound cultural impact of Sindh.

How Moriro Markaz Came Into Being:

By 2013, we identified a significant gap in special and inclusive education in Pakistan, particularly in Sujawal, one of Sindh's poorest districts. In response, NOWPDP proposed the First Center of Excellence for Disability Inclusion to the Government of Sindh.

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SAHELI PROJECT

Women with disabilities face compounded discrimination in Pakistan, where only 21.4% of females participate in the workforce and over 90% of PWDs in developing countries are unemployed. Recognizing that including PWDs could boost Pakistan's economy by up to $15.4 billion, NOWPDP has focused on engaging women with disabilities in employment initiatives. Due to environmental and attitudinal barriers, it has been challenging to encourage participation.

To address this, NOWPDP has launched the Saheli project, training selected women with disabilities to become community leaders and bridge the gap between NOWPDP and other women with disabilities. This initiative aims to help women overcome barriers and achieve financial independence.

Objective:

The Saheli Project aims to empower women with disabilities by engaging community leaders, professionals, and influencers to mentor and support others through outreach and events. Over 3 years, across Karachi, Sujawal, and Islamabad, the project seeks to reduce poverty and enhance economic opportunities for women with disabilities in Sindh and Punjab. Funded by FCDO and managed with British Asian Trust, NOWPDP is one of six partners working on this women’s economic empowerment initiative.

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heARTwork

heARTwork was established in 2012 as a skills development program to provide training to students with disabilities enrolled in our partner schools. To date, more than 330 persons have completed trainings conducted by heARTwork.

Training:

heARTwork conducts training sessions for persons with disabilities in the skills of textile design, screen printing, weaving and papermaking.

Production:

heARTwork promotes the craftsmanship of persons with disabilities through its spectacular line of products, which serves as a symbol of empowerment. These products are showcased and sold at various exhibitions held in Karachi.

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The Rickshaw Project

Launched in 2012, The Rickshaw Project improves on-road access for persons with disabilities through advocacy for legislative changes, sustainable mobility solutions, and community engagement through awareness activities.

Community Engagement:

Focuses on raising awareness about disabilities by conducting sensitization sessions at educational institutions and baithaks at public spaces, aiming to break down attitudinal barriers faced by persons with disabilities.

Advocacy & Mobility Solutions:

Focused on enhancing on-road access for persons with disabilities by developing sustainable mobility solutions and collaborating with government departments on licensing, duty-free import of retrofitted vehicles, and making public spaces and transport accessible.

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With the support of Inditex, the Parwaaz project focuses on the identified trades of dry processing, industrial stitching, and garment quality checking to train individuals with hearing and speech disabilities and place them at selected Inditex industry partners in 2022. NOWPDP is also building the capacity of industry staff to accommodate PWDs in their work environment through relevant disability sensitization and sign language training.

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Industry Partners (Artistic Apparel, Digital Apparel, Kings Apparel)

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Artpreneurs for Change (2011 - 2014)

Initiated in 2011 in collaboration with Naya Jeevan, this project served as a therapeutic intervention for children with intellectual and physical impairments. The aim was to provide children with a secure and healthy opportunity to express themselves emotionally and encourage social engagement. The program trained Art Therapy Practitioners, who further engaged with children with disabilities at various schools to use art as a therapeutic tool. AfC was reinitiated in 2017.

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Accessible Cycle Design (2016)

A national challenge aimed at improving the design of tricycles commonly used by persons with lower-limb impairments.

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NOWPDP Art Competitions (2009 & 2011)

Organized in 2009 and 2011, with more than 565 participants nationwide in categories like calligraphy and painting. The objective was to provide children with disabilities an opportunity to express themselves, raise awareness about their rights, and harness their potential as contributors to society.

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Disability Inclusion – Yaqeen (2014–2016)

A capacity-building project with Engro Corp to raise disability awareness and promote inclusivity. Activities were conducted at 10 locations, involving over 900 participants. Recommendations on workplace accessibility were shared, HR policies were reviewed, and an internship program for persons with disabilities was initiated in Karachi, Sukkur, and Sahiwal.

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Project Awaz (2016)

Collaborated with Shell Pakistan to employ 16 persons with hearing and speech impairments at 11 Shell sites in Karachi

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Project Shapar – Dastoor (2017)

Partnered with the Aman Foundation and Special Olympics Pakistan to facilitate vocational training opportunities. Trainees with hearing and intellectual impairments underwent Auto Body and Paint training at AMANTECH.

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Project Khud Mukhtar (2017)

A business idea competition empowering persons with disabilities. In collaboration with Planet N Group and IBA Aman-CED, the project supported over 30 participants, providing mentorship and funding for the best ideas.

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Zero Project (2018)

NOWPDP’s 'Workplace Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities in Pakistan' was recognized as an Innovative Practice in 2018 by the Zero Project. It was featured in their report, and the initiative was presented at the UN headquarters in Vienna.

Read More About Our Journey Of Hope

Our Campaigns

1. 100 DAYS 100 LIVES:

EMPLOYMENT DRIVE FOR PERSON WITH DISABILITIES

NOWPDP’s 100Days100Lives campaign aims to create 100 job opportunities for people with disabilities in Karachi each year, fostering disability inclusion in Pakistan. Amidst the global economic challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation for people with disabilities has worsened, with 71% still unemployed.

What do we need?

We are looking for internship and employment opportunities for 100 persons with disabilities who have either been trained on computer operation skills (Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint) or as call center representatives by NOWPDP.

How can you help?

You can help by simply providing one job opportunity or a one-month internship to our trainees.

100 days campaign
100 days campaign
Internship
  • A one-month internship with a transportation stipend.
  • Due to Covid-19, we understand that a minimum in-person interaction is advised, which is why you can call the person in for a limited number of hours and a minimum number of days for the internship to be complete.
  • The purpose of this internship would be to give people with disabilities a chance to witness a workplace environment and see how working professionals execute their day-to-day tasks in order to achieve their long-term targets.
Job Placement
  • The employment opportunity can be a part-time or full-time position.
  • The salary requirement is at least minimum wages (PKR 37,000/month).

Your organization or you will be provided with complete guidance and support by NOWPDP throughout the recruitment process.

Watch NowPDP's 100 days 100 lives video
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2. BASHAMOOL BANKARI:

FINANCIAL INCLUSION FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Following the State Bank of Pakistan's policy on financial inclusion for persons with disabilities, NOWPDP launched Bashamool Bankari to ensure its implementation. This initiative aims to empower individuals with disabilities financially. For a decade, NOWPDP has worked with the State Bank to improve financial inclusion regulations, and we are pleased to see our efforts recognized with this historic policy.

Salient Features of the State Bank Policy for Financial Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities:
  • Availability of accessible infrastructure
  • Accessibility audits of premises
  • Accessibility of banking products and services
  • Capacity building of staff to facilitate PWDs
  • Employment, Retention, and Career Development of PWDs
  • Capacity building of PWDs for their Financial Inclusion
Center of Excellence for Financial Inclusion (CEFI)

CEFI aims to facilitate the implementation of the State Bank’s Policy for the Financial Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities by addressing the core policy objectives.

Two-Pronged Mandate of CEFI
  • Capacity building of institutions
  • Capacity building of PWDs

3. I AM KARACHI:

NOWPDP joined the I Am Karachi campaign to promote inclusion of persons with disabilities, through a range of activities.
  • Skills development training of 60 students in textile design and papermaking
  • Sensitization session for 325 students in 6 universities
  • More than 800 accessible locations and disability services added in the NOWPDP Resource Directory
  • Meetings/conferences with stakeholders for preparing a policy brief for accessible transport and licensing for PWDs
  • Distributed 1000 miniature rickshaws to raise awareness about PWDs
  • 6 radio programs and multiple public service announcements on Radio FM 100
  • Reached 750 people through Guerilla Awareness Raising Campaign in Karachi Grammar School, University of Karachi and Frere Hall
100 days campaign
100 days campaign