Society For Disability And Rehabilitation Studies

SDRS, guided by Dr. G. N. Karna, an expert in Disability Studies and Human Rights, has published two significant books and numerous special issues in the International Journal of Disability Studies and Vikalangata Sameeksha magazine. These publications are integrated into Indian university curricula, covering a range of courses in Human Rights and Duties. Various universities, including Calcutta, Burdwan, Bhopal, and AMU, have introduced coursework on Disability and Human Rights. SDRS's publications have received global recognition and have inspired further research in Disability Studies. The organisation promotes Disability Studies through its Monograph Series, with works like "Promotion of Disability Studies in India" and "Disability Studies in Health and Nursing Sciences." These efforts aim to enrich the literature and encourage scholars to explore this field.

SDRS has established a Disability Studies Resource Centre, a unique hub of literature on Disability Studies, including key publications and official documents. This valuable resource is accessible to people with disabilities, research scholars, and visiting scholars focusing on Disability Studies. It is the first centre of its kind in India, offering a wide range of literature on Disability Studies, Rehabilitation Studies, Human Rights, and related fields, despite space and financial constraints.

SDRS is a strong advocate for individuals with disabilities, addressing discrimination and human rights violations across various areas such as education, employment, and social security. Its efforts have delivered justice and policy changes, with a focus on a rights-based framework. Dr. G. N. Karna, SDRS's Honorary President, chaired the Working Group on Empowering the Disabled for the Eleventh Five-Year Plan, influencing policy and recognizing Disability Studies as an academic discipline. SDRS actively engages with the Core Group on Disability, monitoring the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities implementation. Its persistent efforts even contributed to eradicating polio in a Bihar village. The organisation remains dedicated to advancing teaching and research in Disability Studies.

In the realm of collaborative action research with an empowering perspective, the organisation has embarked on significant research endeavours. These encompass a diverse array of topics, including the instruction of Disability Studies in Indian educational institutions, the rights to employment for women with disabilities, the inclusion of disabled individuals in Government sectors, the empowerment of disabled youth, and an exploration of disability, human rights, and social fairness in specific regions. Additionally, it has delved into the role of higher education institutions in Disability Studies and conducted a comparative examination of supportive devices from both public and private sectors, with the objective of enhancing and modernizing their capacities.