Prame’s Initiative Brings Change and Hope

Prame Bahadur Gurung, a 30-year-old man from Kaski District, was born with a physical disability. He lives with his parents, wife, and two children. Despite completing his higher secondary education, he was unable to continue his university studies due to a lack of information about support systems such as assistance for writing exams.

Five months ago, Prame’s life took a turn when he became part of the “Include Us Too” project, supported by the National Federation of Disabled Nepal (NFDN) Gandaki Province in collaboration with CBM Global. Through this initiative, he was selected to participate in a training program aimed at empowering people with disabilities.

“I had never been part of any organization before. I didn’t even know about institutions working for people with disabilities,” Prame recalls. “One day, I received a phone call from NFDN Gandaki Province. They invited me to a five-day capacity-building training. That was my first experience attending such a program, and I learned about different types of disabilities, legal rights, policies, and the importance of groups and organizations.”

Taking Action for His Community

Following the training, Prame, with support from NFDN, visited the local municipality office to meet with the Vice Chairperson and Social Welfare Officer. He inquired about the official records of people with disabilities in the area and discovered that the municipality lacked complete data. However, they shared plans to organize a disability identification camp in all wards to collect accurate information.

Determined to make a difference, Prame helped establish a Disability Coordination Committee in his ward. He also became the Vice Chairperson of a newly formed Disability Network in Madi. With continued advocacy efforts, NFDN successfully ensured the representation of people with disabilities in the local coordination committees. Today, each ward in Madi Municipality has an active Disability Coordination Committee, managing budget allocations and implementing programs for disability inclusion.

Creating Inclusive Spaces

Through further training in accessibility and universal design, Prame took on a leadership role in the Local Accessibility Advocacy Team (LAAT). He and his team met with the municipality’s leadership to push for accessible public infrastructure. Their advocacy led to commitments for more inclusive facilities in municipal buildings and other institutions.

“My dream is to run an accessible homestay business,” says Prame. “That’s why I built a wheelchair-friendly toilet in my home and removed the stairs leading to my courtyard, replacing them with a ramp.”

With NFDN’s support, Prame attended a three-month homestay management training organized by the Gandaki Provincial Government. He has now started a small business and is gaining financial independence. His homestay is also being recognized by the municipality, which has begun hiring him to provide meals and accommodation for local events.

A Growing Impact

The Local Accessibility Advocacy Team in Madi continues to monitor new infrastructure projects to ensure they follow accessibility standards. Additionally, municipal authorities are increasingly committed to making public spaces more inclusive.

Prame was also selected as an enumerator for the 2021 National Census, giving him the opportunity to interact directly with people with disabilities in remote areas. This experience strengthened his vision to expand disability-focused initiatives in his community.

“NFDN taught me how to advocate for disability rights, build networks, and even start my own business,” says Prame. “Now, I have employment opportunities and a voice in the community. If I had not joined this initiative, I would still be relying on my parents for support. I am grateful to NFDN for changing my life.”