Differently abled people in Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh turn to drugs and other socially unacceptable activities to generate income. This is due to a high level of discrimination against people with disabilities. Often they are abandoned. They need to be rescued and recovered from the streets.  HEARDS initiated this project to encourage and empower physically challenged persons (PCPs) through provision of alternative economic activities, sound education, cultural exchange teaching and sharing human values for social and economical development in Chittoor District.

Achievements:

• Conducted survey in 3 Mandals namely Chittoor, Gudipala and Palamaner of Chittoor District and identified 672 differently abled people in Chittoor Mandal, 516 in Gudipala and 323 in Palamaner Mandal.
• In the Chittoor, Gudipala and Palamaner Mandals the differently abled people were organised into cluster wise groups.  Members from 1 to 5 villages formed a cluster group.  Each cluster group has an average of 25 to 30 members.
• Special programme for children who are dropped out of school due to disability.
• State assistance programmes as part of their entitlements, applications for bus passes, tricycles, loans, house pattas, hearing aids have been applied for from the various government departments for these physically challenged people.