To celebrate International Day for Persons with Disabilities, Ummeed Child Development Center, a 22-year-old non-profit organisation that works with children with developmental disabilities, conducted Family Day on Sunday. The event took place at the Dadar Parsi Colony Gymkhana grounds and was attended by around 1,000 people. The inclusive event included music, games, shopping, food, performances, pets, books and activities. Diverse product stalls were set up by persons with disabilities (PWD), their families, and organisations working with PWD, showcasing their handiwork, skill, and zeal for self-employment.
The goal behind the second edition of Family Day, apart from celebrating International Day of Persons (which falls today), is to reiterate the idea that children with disabilities can participate in community fun things at community spaces. “Also their caregivers and families find it difficult to take time out for themselves because they’re so immersed in constant caregiving. So the event addresses both these objectives,” said Smita Pathak of Ummeed’s Family Resource Center.
Around 20 music and dance performances were held by individuals with disabilities, including one by a group of kids from Ummeed, who were trained by Shiamak Davar’s Victory Arts Foundation. A special dance performance by mothers who visited the Ummeed centre was particularly notable because they all took time out to come together to practice daily and put up the show.
To lift the party mood, a drum circle performance by Mohammed Aslam’s group, African Art of Drumming, was conducted, which also involved a set by the special children from Navi Mumbai’s Sunshine School. The singing performances got everyone humming along, and the stage came alive with these performers being compère by two young adults with autism.
The pet-friendly event also saw therapy dogs, organised by Shirin Merchant, which were extremely popular among the children. The NGO, being mindful of not overstimulating the children, had set up The Sensory and Quiet Zone, for any child who needed some downtime. “If maybe the noise or crowds got too overwhelming for anyone, they could be in a quiet space where they could indulge in sensory activities or read books curated for the event,” shares Pathak.
“As a family, we had a great time. There was no judgement in anyone’s eyes and the evening satisfied me and gave me hope for the future. Thanks to Ummeed, we had a rocking family day and can’t wait for the next one,” shared Dr Sameer Khot, a parent. Echoing Khot’s thoughts is Shobhana Krishnan, another parent, who said, “For once I didn’t feel like the odd man out.
