Annual Report 2014-2015

1st Annual General Meeting

Date: 4th July 2015
Venue: Patuli

Association of Parents of Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder, West Bengal

Registered under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act 1961, Registration No: S/2L/31797
Registered Address: 4, South Santoshpur, Ghoshpara, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032
Website: http://www.appawb.weebly.com Email: appawb@gmail.com
Phone No: +919231812292, +919432011888, +919434086363
Blog Page: http://appawb.blogspot.in

Annual Report - 2014-2015

Contents
Contents.......................................................................... 1
Brief description of the organization .............................. 2
Mission & Vision ............................................................. 2
The Governing Body........................................................ 3
Inaugural Program ......................................................... 4
Observance of World Autism Awareness Day 2015 ....... 6
Membership at National Level: ...................................... 8
Our Short Term Goal:...................................................... 9
Our Long Term Goal: ...................................................... 9
Summary of Achievements: ............................................ 9
Failures ......................................................................... 10

Association of Parents of Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder, West Bengal

Annual Report - 2014-2015

Brief description of the organization

Parents of the Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (PwA) feel that their children are still very
much neglected in our Society. Autism was not even included in the PWD act, 1992. However, under
the continuous pressures from the Organisations & several Parents Associations, associated for the
welfare of the persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy and Mental Retardation including PARIVAAR, Govt
of India enacted National Trust Act for the Persons with AUTISM, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation
& Multiple Disabilities, in 1999. However, during the preparation of an all-encompassing Disability
Law as per UNCRPD guideline, a big lobby tried for scrapping / modifying the National Trust Act 1999.
The draft of the said Disability Law is still to be passed by the two houses of the Parliament.
Parents of such persons are also concerned much for the rehabilitation of their children. What will
happen to those children / persons in their absence? is a question which often embarrasses them
with a cloud of anxiety. Many Parents` organisations are coming forward to build up Community
Living Centres for the future upbringing of such Persons. Thus the Parents of the persons with ASD feel
that much is still to be done for these persons by the Parents themselves and hence they have come
forward to form this association.
The initiative was started in August 2014 by 5/6 Parents and then around 10 more joined the
initiators. Then we started preparing the Memorandum of Association (Constitution). It took a lot of
time to prepare it without any lawyers help. We had a series of meetings amongst the members
discussing several aspects in very particular manner and finally prepared the memorandum & rules
and regulations of our proposed Association, in November- December 2014. It was then that the
Constitution was placed for registration in the office of the Registrar and ultimately on 5th February
2015 our Association of Parents of Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder, West Bengal got the
approval under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act 1961.
Thus 5th February will be treated as our Annual day and we will celebrate the same every year.

Mission & Vision

To function as a Parents Support Group collectively by extending moral support and advice to
the parents of persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
To increase public awareness on the unique condition faced by children & adults with ASD.
To make the parents aware about the disorder and help them to understand the needs of
their children.
To share the information on all aspects of ASD.
To undertake necessary projects and schemes for their development and rights.
To work towards their skill training and maintenance of those skills for their future
rehabilitation and meaningful occupation.
To ensure a secure & dignified living condition (e.g. Community Living Centre) for PwA when
the parents are no more.

Association of Parents of Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder, West Bengal

Annual Report - 2014-2015

To network with other parent associations, organisations all over India and abroad, stand
united for the development and welfare of such persons and ensure their rights through
appropriate legislations.
To organise seminars & workshops for updating knowledge, for the training and education of
PwA and their parents and well-wishers.
To publish a Newsletter on recent research & developments in this field for circulation among
members and similar organisations.
To organise Awareness Campaigns through Cultural programmes etc. for the public in
general.
To sensitise the Government, Politicians and eminent Personalities of the society for the right
of the Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (PwA)
To establish Leisure Club for the Parents of PwA.
To establish Self-help Group for their livelihood opportunities of the PwA at the grass root
level.

The Governing Body

Advisor to Governing Body: Mrs Shukla Bhaduri
Name
Shri Soumen Upadhyay
Smt. Soma Chatterjee
Shri Beladhi Mukherjee
Smt. Sudeshna Chowdhury Adhikari
Shri Arunasis Adhikari
Smt. Ritusree Mukherjee
Shri Surajit Sengupata
Shri Satyajit Ghose
Shri Kaushik Guha

Designation
President
Working President
Vice President
Vice President
General Secretary
Assistant Secretary
Assistant Secretary
Treasurer
Asst. Treasurer

Association of Parents of Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder, West Bengal

Annual Report - 2014-2015

Governing Bodys Report

Dear Friends,
It is a pleasure to announce that our Association is growing nicely but with a mild developmental
delay although it has touched many developmental milestones on time but many more to achieve in
the days to come. We are about to finish 1 year from the date of the initiative started (August 2014).
We are glad to tell you that our Association is registered with PARIVAAR NCPO (National
confederation) and PARIVAAR-Bengal (state federation) and in process of register under PWD &
National Trust Act. PARIVAAR is a National Confederation of Parent Associations (of Persons with
Intellectual and Developmental Delay), initiated by NIMH.
This is our first year (being a few months old since formation) and so we are learning a lot, the reason
due to which we had limited activity. This annual report contains summary of the activities and
functional assessment of our association up to June 2015 up to the AGM, but our financial report will
carry the balance sheet up to 31st March 2015.
It is our pleasure look back on our activities this year, although we are a newly formed association but
still we have tried to achieve many things.
The first and very big event organised by us with having much experience is our Inaugural Program
which was held on 28th February 2015.

Inaugural Program

After completion of the registration formalities with Registrar of Societies, West Bengal we have
organized the Inaugural Program of APPA on 28th February 2015 at Turyananda Hall, The
Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Golpark in collaboration with The Ramakrishna Mission
Institute of Culture. Inaugural Program consisted of a short cultural function by the children with ASD
and their parents and a seminar on Coping strategies for Persons with ASD & their Parents.

Association of Parents of Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder, West Bengal

Annual Report - 2014-2015

We had Ms Merry Barua (Director, Action for Autism, New Delhi) as our chief guest along with our
special guests like Mr Ajin Sen (Immediate past-President of PARIVAAR NCPO), Dr Aniruddha Deb
(Renowned Psychiatrist) and Mr Achyutanal Guha (Person with ASD, Accounts Manager at AFA)
made this event so memorable.
We got 91.9 Friend FM as our radio partner for the event. Along with this we would like to mention
that following dignitaries has attended the program and appreciate our effort Shampa Sengupta
(Disability Activist), Supriya Sengupta (NIHH) and representatives from various organisations in the
field of mental disability.
We have got an overwhelming response in the program and all the seats were full more than 125
people attended the event along with their children with ASD. Peoples from Murshidabad, Durgapur,
Asansol, Bankura, Medinipur, Hoogly, Howrah, both 24 Parganas and Kolkata came to join the unique
event. We were bound to say no to lots of peoples as we had limited seats (only 130). There was no
entry fee collected for the event although we managed to provide very nice welcome kit with
conference stationaries and a decent lunch. We would like convey our gratitude to our Sponsors and
donors. All the members volunteers, Advisor and family members were helped us a lot to make the
event successful.
The Welcome kit with conference stationaries, Dias backdrop, Flex/Banner has been sponsored by
Hindusthan Petroleum & their Distributors. We are grateful to Ramakrishna Mission Institute of
Culture, Golpark for providing us their TURIYANADA HALL to host the program without any cost.
Peoples from different corner extended their help by donation of funds or any other help. All our
members themselves also donated funds for the event.

Association of Parents of Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder, West Bengal

Annual Report - 2014-2015

The cultural program was short & crisp and the secret of recipe with the mothers of the participating
children, they did a splendid job to make it successful. They have taken the entire load to prepare the
schedule & rehears with kids and finally present it in the stage. Feedback from the audience was
superb. The cultural Program was anchored by Subhasri & Beladhi, without having previous anchoring
experience and very less rehearsal they did it nicely.
The entire program was covered by DD Bangla News, Camera Cholche on DD Bangla,
Bartaman Patrika, and All India Radio.

Observance of World Autism Awareness Day 2015

2nd April has been chosen as the World Autism Awareness Day by the United Nations. In fact UN has
declared the Month of April to be commemorated as Autism Awareness Month. We had organized
an Awareness Walk on 2nd April from Golpark to Madhusudan Mancha, where more than 100
persons walked with us. PARIVAAR-Bengal and its member organizations like South Kolkata
Parashmani, Mentaid actively supported and took part in the walk.
Association of Parents of Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder, West Bengal

Annual Report - 2014-2015

We had distributed leaflets about Autism among general peoples during and after the walk the walk
to enhance public awareness towards Autism.
Autism Awareness walk organized by our association has been in the news of DD Bangla, exclusive
coverage in Camera Cholche and Sangbad Pratidin.
We participated in the program organized by honorable Disability Commissioner of West Bengal on
2nd April 2015 to observe World Autism Awareness Day.
As April is the Autism Awareness month we had arranged Awareness workshop in association with
our fellow organizations like Barjora Ashar Alo, Navodit, Asansol Anandam and Antaranga
Mahila Manashik Pratibandhi Vidyaniketan.

A team consisting Soumen Upadhyay, Ritusree Mukherjee, Sudeshna Chowdury and Arunasis Adhikari
was representing APPA during the Awareness workshop hosted at Barjora Ashar Alo and Asansol
Anandamon 18th & 19th April 2015. Sudeshna & Ritusree has explained the need of structural
teaching and how to train Daily Living Skills by role play and hands on training to the parents &
teachers. Mr Upadhyay delivered a speech on Introduction to Autism and Arunasis spoke on
Vocational training & rehabilitation.
Association of Parents of Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder, West Bengal

Annual Report - 2014-2015

Antaranga Mahila Manashik Pratibandhi Vidyaniketan, Pujali invited us to host a awareness

workshop in their premises, due to the Municipal Election it has been re-scheduled on 2nd May 2015.
This time team was constructed with Soumen Upadhyay, Shukla Bhaduri, Arunasis Adhikari, Beladhi
Mukherjee and Soumya (Son of Soumen Upadhyay).

Mr Upadhyay delivered a speech on Introduction to Autism, Mrs Bhaduri discussed about Behavior
management and Arunasis spoke on Vocational training & rehabilitation

Membership at National Level:

Our Association is registered member of PARIVAAR NCPO (National body) and PARIVAAR-Bengal
(state level) and we are in the process of registering with PWD Act & National Trust.

What is PARIVAAR?
PARIVAAR is a National Confederation of Parent Associations (of Persons with Intellectual and
Developmental Disability), formed by Parents of PwIDD all over the country, initiated by NIMH.
PARIVAAR is working towards the wellbeing and rights of the Persons with Intellectual and
Developmental Delay (which includes Autism as well).

Association of Parents of Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder, West Bengal

Annual Report - 2014-2015

National Trust
The National Trust is an autonomous organization of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment,
Government of India, set up under the "National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism,
Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities" Act (Act 44 of 1999)

Our Short Term Goal:

Arrange at least one Workshop/Seminar per quarter.

Arrange for a regular office space to conduct association activity smoothly.
Establish a Special School along with Vocational setup.
Establish a therapeutic centre for early intervention & parent counselling
Publishing the Quarterly Newsletter on Autism
Arrange for an excursion tour with children

Our Long Term Goal:

Establish a Community Living Centre integrated with Special School therapeutic centre for
early intervention, vocational setup and other sports & leisure amenities.

Summary of Achievements:
While preparing for the registration of our Association we attended the National Parents
Meet 2014 at Ranchi Jharkhand. Arunasis, Beladhi, Ritusree & Sudeshna were representing
the Association.
Just before our Inaugural program we also attended the 7th Regional Parents Meet at Hind
Motor, Hooghly and this time Soumen Upadhyay, Beladhi Mukherjee, Arunasis Adhikari,
Jhuma Sengupta and Bijaylaxmi Aich were representing the Association. We are sure they
have enriched by attending this event.
Successful Inaugural Program of APPA on 28th February 2015.
We have our own website www.appawb.weebly.com

and our own blog site

http://appawb.blogspot.in
We have our google group for internal communication & discussion among members :
appa_info@googlegroups.com

Association of Parents of Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder, West Bengal

Annual Report - 2014-2015

We have two brand new whatsap chat group APPA_info & APPA_chat. APPA_info is meant
for organisational announcement & discussion about Autism only, while APPA_chat is for
casual chatting within members. Members are enjoying this facility since April 2015.

We had organized an Awareness Walk on 2nd April from Golpark to Madhusudan Mancha,
where more than 100 persons walked with us. PARIVAAR-Bengal and its member
organizations like South Kolkata Parashmani, Mentaid actively supported and participated
the walk.
We participated in the program organized by honorable Disability Commissioner of West
Bengal on 1st & 2nd April 2015 to observe World Autism Awareness Day.
As April is the Autism Awareness month we had arranged Awareness workshop in association
with our fellow organizations like Barjora Ashar Alo, Navodit, Asansol Anandam and
Antaranga Mahila Manashik Pratibandhi Vidyaniketan Budge budge.
After several meetings & sensitization we are able to make a tie up with Garia Srirampur
Kalyan Samity and they have arranged a special swimming batch for our kids (with
ASD/IDD) under 10 years of age.
We had another tie-up with Bhasoman (a swimming club) and they have arranged special
swimming batch for Persons with IDD.
Our Association was invited by PARIVAAR to attend State level review meeting of National
Trust held at IICP, Taratala on 8th May 2015. Our Association accepted the invite and took
part positively in the discussion about problems of PwIDD facing in large and means to
overcome.
We are proud to tell you that Rashbehari Shailushik arranged a special show of their drama
Tanchak Prabanchak for Persons with ASD & their parents on 28th June 2015 at Uttam
Mancha. We extended our help as much as possible to make the event successful. Most of our
members were there and enjoyed the show. We had extended our help as volunteers as well.
The program was a big success. Famous actors Prasenjit and Soumitra Chatterjee were
present during the show as guests of honour.

Failures
Lack of initiative among members. Although everyone want to do something but waiting for
someone to start.
Could not able to arrange office of the Association yet.
After Autism Awareness Activities in April 2015 there was no such activity.

Association of Parents of Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder, West Bengal

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Annual Report - 2014-2015

Could not able to arrange any excursion tour/Picnic though it is planned many times but not
materialize.

We would like to request all members to take active initiative & participate more in the activities of
the Association.
This association is yours and cannot touch success without your initiative and involvement.

Thanks & Regards

On behalf of Governing Body

Arunasis Adhikari
General Secretary

Date: 4th July 2015

Place: Kolkata

Association of Parents of Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder, West Bengal

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