Westor Seaton Cheshire Home, Negombo Sir James and Lady Peiris Cheshire Home, Mount Lavinia Leonard Cheshire Disability Resource Centres (LCDRC), Colombo, Trincomalle, Galle

Started in 1969, Westor Seaton Cheshire Home provides residential care to people with disabilities. Five years ago in 2004, it expanded its activities to include community based rehabilitation in nearby areas. Project activities include:

 

• Early identification and survey of people with disabilities in seven villages at Gampaha district
• Networking and resource mobilization
• Training of staff and committee members
• Assessment programme for persons with disabilities
• Medical Assessment camps

Sir James and Lady Peiris Cheshire Home, Mount Lavinia

Inaugurated in 1996, the Sir James and Lady Peiris Cheshire Home, Mount Lavinia has provides residential and training facilities. Currently 22 residents have been trained in vocational crafts like candle making, paper covers and embroidery. Day care services for non-residents are also provided.

The home has recently started a resettlement programme. It has already rehabilitated a resident back into the community with support to start his business. As a part of Leonard Cheshire Disability’s International Self Reliance Programme (ISRP), another resident has been supported to start a small store at her home.

As a part of the community based services, a housing project for people with disabilities was initiated. The project currently has two participants.

Three Leonard Cheshire Disability Resource Centres (LCDRC) in Colombo, Trincomallee and Galle Districts were established in 2005 that cater to persons with disabilities affected by the Tsunami. The Centres work on a range of issues like education, livelihoods, health, rehabilitation and support for every day living. These apart, the DRCs also carry out community based interventions in nearby areas.
5000 people with disabilities have been reached through their interventions. The DRCs are also acknowledged as nodal centres for disability.

LCDRC Colombo has been actively involved in resource material development, capacity building and information dissemination. At the national level it provides information services to people with disabilities as well as lobbies with policy makers and other organizations to mainstream disabilities into their programmes.

Located in south Sri Lanka, LCDRC Galle operates in the divisional secretariat of Habaraduwa. To promote and protect the rights of people with disabilities, it has formed 29 self help and advocacy groups, 18 children’s clubs and a divisional level steering committee. The Young Voices team in Galle comprises young adults with disabilities that have actively participated in disability rights and discrimination campaigns.

LCDRC, Trincomallee works in east Sri Lanka . Apart from its regular services, it has initiated a six month pilot project to provide assistance in livelihoods. 52 participants have benefited from the project. Another significant project of the DRC that will shortly be completed is a disabled friendly stadium. Built with support from USAID, the project is the first of its kind in the region.