About us
The Disability, Rehabilitation and Life Animation (DRELA)
MISSION STATEMENT.
Let us work together to make a difference
Our Vision
The bearer of this vision, Mr. Charly R. Nyugap, who is himself living with disability (visual), believes that no one offers a better service to an individual than the individual himself/herself. According to him, the finest form of advocacy is self-advocacy, that is, advocacy for the disabled by the disabled. This is based on the premise that he/she who wears the shoe knows where it hurts. It is therefore, time for all people living with disabilities in our society to take their own destiny into their hands. The members of this organization, meeting on July 14th, 2007 at SABOGA Bafut, were cognizant of the fact that the greatest burden of the disabled is not disability itself but the society’s attitude towards disability. This is evident in the society’s customs and traditions, laws and policies, institutions and general practices, which are grossly disability unfriendly.In order to redress the above mentioned state of affairs, DRELA. Is thus born to ensure the attainment of its goals as outlined below
The Disability Rehabilitation and Life Animation, commonly known by its English acronym, as DRELA, is an apolitical, non-religious and not for profit advocacy Organization, which was founded in 2007 in Bamenda, NWP Cameroon. It seeks to ensure the inclusion of people living with disabilities in mainstream political, economic and socio-cultural life both in Cameroon and beyond. In short, DRELA. has as mission to ensure an inclusive world by bridging the gap between society and the disabled, so that the latter will have the opportunity to contribute their own quota to nation-building.
Our Goals and objectives
DRELA has as goals to:
Ensure a favorable attitude in the society towards people with disabilities.
Ensure the medical, psycho-social, educational, and vocational rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.
Ensure the active participation of people living with disabilities in the democratization process and political life of their societies.
Ensure the economic empowerment of persons living with disabilities.
Ensure that people with disabilities are carried along in the globalization process.
Promote the philosophy of inclusive education.
Ensure the participation of persons with disabilities in national and international entertainment and sporting competitions.
Contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the field of Special Needs Education and provide research information which maybe useful to decision-making institutions.
Ensure that the needs of persons living with disabilities are determined and considered when designing economic and socio-cultural programs.
OBJECTIVES: DRELA has as objectives to:
Embark on mass sensitization campaigns (seminars, conferences and workshops) in families, schools, churches, socio-cultural settings, government institutions, etc.
Setup standard centers for the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.
Offer counselling services to families of persons with disabilities.
Fight for the inclusion of people living with disabilities in the current fight against the HIV/AIDS scourge.
Educate persons with disabilities on the principles of good citizenship; rights and obligations.
Fight for the enactment and implementation of disability-sensitive laws and policies.
Initiate and carry out Income-Generating Activities (IGA) for the benefit of persons living with disabilities.
Train persons with disabilities in ICT skills.
Help persons with disabilities to acquire their own information and communication gadgets.
Offer financial and material assistance to persons with disabilities in inclusive schools.
Draw and pay special attention to the disabled girl child/woman, because she belongs to two marginalized groups (the disabled and women) and consequently, faces marginalization on two fronts
Initiate and encourage the putting in place of a conducive environment in schools that will enhance the learning of mathematics and the sciences by persons living with disabilities.
Initiate and train volunteers in Special Needs Education methods (Braille, sign language, mobility, etc) who will help to augment the level of service provision to persons with disabilities.
Initiate and encourage the putting in place of entertainment and sporting facilities adapted to meet the needs of persons with disabilities.
Conduct Special Needs Education research.
Initiate and carryout various censuses of people living with disabilities.
Participate in, or initiate all other activities that are beneficial to people living with disabilities.