Every person deserves dignity, opportunity, and the right to thrive—regardless of ability. With this belief, Caritas India launched the Chetana Disability Campaign 2025 at the national level on 9 March 2025 in collaboration with Chetanalaya at Maria Bhawan, Delhi. This year’s campaign theme, “Journey of Hope: Share to Serve,” calls on individuals, families, and organizations to unite in supporting children and persons with disabilities, fostering sustainability and well-being throughout the year.

The launch event was graced by Most Rev. Archbishop Anil J.T. Couto, who officially inaugurated the campaign, emphasizing the importance of inclusion, valuing diversity, and fostering a sense of belonging for all. Mr. Jose K. Mani, Member of Parliament, honored the occasion by distributing nutritional kits to 10 special invitees, symbolizing the campaign’s commitment to promoting health and well-being.

Disability is not a limitation—it is an opportunity for transformation. Yet, millions across India continue to face physical, emotional, and social barriers that restrict their access to essential services and meaningful social participation. The Chetana Disability Campaign aims to address these challenges by providing early intervention to identify and address developmental delays in children, delivering critical care and support services to enhance quality of life, supplying essential assistive devices to foster independence, and creating pathways for livelihood support and economic empowerment.

As Fr. Antony Fernandes highlighted, “This campaign encourages people from all walks of life to unite in service of the poor and marginalized. We aim to support 10,000 persons with disabilities by providing essential care and fostering sustainable livelihoods.”

The event showcased two significant Caritas India initiatives that support persons with disabilities in a major way to promote inclusion. Gram Nirman supports communities affected by HIV/AIDS through rehabilitation, livelihoods, and counseling. Khushaal Bachpan promotes happy childhoods by offering community mentorship and support.

In a powerful statement of inclusion, a Help Desk on Disability was set up during the launch to raise awareness of 21 recognized types of disabilities and offer assistance and resources to those in need. Chetanalaya also presented a special exhibition on the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities movement, featuring an exclusive sale of upcycled products crafted by marginalized women from the Jahangirpuri rag-picking community, promoting economic empowerment and social inclusion.

Apart from the national launch, regional and state-level launches have also been conducted to disseminate and promote the campaign to the last mile, ensuring that the message of inclusion reaches the most remote and underserved communities.

The ‘Chetana’ Disability Campaign invites everyone to take action and be a part of this transformative movement. You can contribute by donating a one-time or monthly contribution to fund vital services, assistive devices, and livelihood support. You can also volunteer your time and skills to provide support, education, and guidance to persons with disabilities. Lastly, you can spread the word by sharing the campaign on social media to raise awareness and inspire others to join the cause.

This year, Caritas India will be promoting the ‘Chetana’ Disability Campaign through all its development programs and program participants, ensuring that the message of inclusion and support reaches communities across the nation.

Through this campaign, Caritas India invites individuals, families, institutions, and organizations to unite and transform barriers into opportunities for growth, innovation, and inclusion.

Together, let us embark on this Journey of Hope and ensure no one is left behind.