Tag: Disability Awareness

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Hemophilia Society Panaji Chapter Women’s Group Raises Awareness at Lok Utsav Festival

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Panaji, January 31, 2026:
The Women’s Group of the Hemophilia Society Panaji Chapter actively took part in the Lok Utsav festival held on January 27, 2026, using the platform to raise awareness about hemophilia — a genetic bleeding disorder that affects the body’s ability to clot blood and requires lifelong management.


Members of the group distributed educational pamphlets and engaged with festival-goers through one-on-one interactions, sharing information on the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options available for hemophilia. Volunteers also spoke about the social and medical challenges faced by individuals and families living with bleeding disorders.

Speaking at the event, Sabina DaCunha, Women’s Wing President of the Hemophilia Society Panaji Chapter, highlighted the critical role of awareness and early diagnosis. She noted that while hemophilia predominantly affects men, women are carriers of the gene and may themselves experience symptoms such as heavy or prolonged bleeding and irregular menstrual cycles. She stressed the importance of testing for bleeding disorders to prevent long-term complications and permanent disability caused by delayed detection.

The Hemophilia Society Panaji Chapter is affiliated with the Hemophilia Federation (India), a national patient organisation supporting over 30,000 individuals across the country. Through advocacy, education and community outreach, the organisation works to improve access to care while reducing stigma associated with bleeding disorders.

Advisor to the Hemophilia Society Panaji Chapter, Prakash Kamat, also addressed visitors during the event. Avelino de Sa, Founder and President of the Disability Rights Association of Goa, and Festakar Marius Fernandes, were present and extended their support to the awareness initiative.

The participation at Lok Utsav forms part of the chapter’s ongoing community health efforts aimed at empowering families with information, encouraging early diagnosis and fostering a more inclusive environment for people living with hemophilia.

Social

Disability Rights Association of Goa Marks 22 Years with Cyber Crime Awareness Session

Tanisha Cardozo

The Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) recently marked its 22nd year of service to persons with disabilities in the state. The milestone was commemorated with a session focused on Cyber Crime Awareness, conducted by Cyber Yoddha Sahil Awasthi and PC Anmol from the Panaji Police Station. The session educated attendees about the various types of cyber frauds and urged vigilance before clicking on suspicious links.

DRAG President Avelino de Sa thanked the members for their steadfast support over the years and reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to integrating persons with disabilities into mainstream society. He encouraged members to follow the Cyber Dost 14C WhatsApp channel and the Goa Police Cyber Crime team’s social media handles to stay updated on cyber fraud prevention.

The event also featured the distribution of food grains to 90 families of persons with disabilities, highlighting the community spirit and support that DRAG has fostered over the past two decades.

The celebration reflected DRAG’s ongoing dedication to the empowerment, inclusion, and welfare of persons with disabilities in Goa, combining awareness, education, and tangible support for the community.

Travel

Goa Hosts First-Ever Inclusive Boat Cruise to Mark International Tourism Day 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

In a landmark celebration of International Tourism Day 2025, Goa took a historic step toward inclusive tourism by hosting its first-ever Inclusive Boat Cruise on September 26, 2025. Organized by the Travel & Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, this unique initiative offered persons with disabilities the opportunity to experience the beauty of the Mandovi River—a privilege often denied due to both physical and attitudinal barriers.

The cruise, which began from the Santa Monica Jetty in Panaji, welcomed over 60 participants with disabilities, despite heavy rains. Around 15 volunteers without disabilities joined them, not as aides but as equal participants, creating a truly inclusive atmosphere. For many, especially adult participants with disabilities from diverse professions such as teaching, entrepreneurship, government service, and para sports, this was their first time on a boat cruise—an experience both joyful and empowering.

Unlike previous efforts that largely focused on school students with disabilities, this event broke new ground by engaging adults, reflecting a broader and more inclusive vision. It emphasized that persons with disabilities are not just recipients of support but contributors to social and cultural life. This shift in narrative is critical in building a society that sees inclusion as a norm, not an exception.

Director of the Department of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, highlighted that the enthusiastic response to the cruise was a powerful indicator of the growing interest in community-based, inclusive tourism in Goa. He affirmed the department’s commitment to continue curating such experiences across the state, which reflect Goa’s dedication to diversity, accessibility, and sustainability.

The concept of the Inclusive Cruise was initiated by Shri Jack Sukhija, President of TTAG, whose vision and commitment turned an ambitious idea into a heartwarming reality. His leadership, along with the backing of key tourism stakeholders, ensured that the event was not only accessible but dignified and celebratory.

Shri Vishant Nagvekar, member of the State Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities and a participant in the cruise, expressed deep gratitude to the organizers. He emphasized that this event went beyond symbolic inclusion. It created a rare and much-needed platform for persons with disabilities to connect, share life experiences, and feel genuinely seen and valued. Such events, he noted, are essential for building inclusive communities where stories of resilience, courage, and everyday victories can be shared and celebrated.

As the cruise sailed through Goa’s scenic river under cloudy skies, the participants laughed, danced, and connected with one another. The rain could not dampen the spirit of what was clearly more than just a ride—it was a statement. A statement that accessible tourism is not just desirable but absolutely achievable when intention meets action.

Goa’s first Inclusive Boat Cruise is not the final destination but the beginning of a new journey—one where every person, regardless of ability, has the right to explore, participate, and enjoy the world around them.

Social

DRAG & Caritas Goa Launch ‘Freedom from Physical Inaccessibility’ with YES TO ACCESS App

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa takes a major stride toward accessible public infrastructure with the launch of the ‘Freedom from Physical Inaccessibility’ campaign.

On the sidelines of a State-Level Advocacy Programme on Deafblindness, the Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) and Caritas Goa launched the Freedom from Physical Inaccessibility campaign on August 14th, 2025. The highlight of the event was the official launch of the YES TO ACCESS mobile application — a digital tool empowering citizens to rate the accessibility of public places across Goa.

The app was unveiled by Ms. Varsha Naik, Director, Directorate of Empowerment of Persons with Disability, Government of Goa. The launch marks a significant moment for accessibility advocacy in the state, putting power directly into the hands of the people — both disabled and able-bodied — to assess and demand accessible infrastructure.

“Accessibility is not just a right, it’s a necessity for an inclusive society,” said Avelino de Sa, President of DRAG.

The YES TO ACCESS app is available on the Google Play Store and allows anyone to:

  • Conduct access audits of public and private establishments.
  • Rate facilities based on accessibility for persons with disabilities and the elderly.
  • View ratings to decide whether a place meets accessibility standards before visiting.
  • Drive social accountability for establishments to comply with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Under the RPWD Act, it’s mandatory for all public spaces — including private establishments — to ensure accessibility, yet implementation remains inconsistent. This app serves as a grassroots-level enforcement tool.

Also present at the launch were:

  • Ms. Shruti Singh, Sense International
  • Ms. Mriselda Monteiro, Deputy Director, DEPwD Goa
  • Fr. Maverick Fernandes, Director, Caritas Goa

The event signals a major push toward inclusive development in Goa and sets a precedent for civic-driven accessibility movements in India.

📲 Download the YES TO ACCESS app today and be a part of the change.