Introduction
My Fellowship journey has been an enlightening roller coaster. As I was placed with EnAble India in Bengaluru, a well-established organization, I knew the journey would be challenging from the start. And so it was. My project was clear and simple – to understand the neurodiversity livelihoods landscape of India. As simple as it sounds, it wasn’t that easy to lay out a plan for actually understanding the livelihoods landscape of Neurodiversity in India. From the early planning stages to the impactful conclusion, every phase brought its own set of lessons and achievements. Here’s a look back at the key stages of my project.
Planning and Kickoff
Every significant journey begins with meticulous planning. For me, it started with mapping out the scope of the project. This phase was crucial as it laid down the foundation of what would become a comprehensive study on the neurodiversity landscape in India. The goal was clear: to understand and enhance the support systems for Persons with Neuro-developmental Disabilities (PwNDs) through rigorous research and community engagement. This phase was divided in 2 parts – creating a database of NGOs working with PwNDs in India and making a networking plan to connect with these NGOs. I ended up creating a database of 100+ NGOs which were working with PwNDs in some or the other way as a part of their functions or operations.
Data Collection: The First Hurdle
Data collection proved to be the first major hurdle. The challenge was twofold: managing a vast database and convincing NGOs to participate in our research. Despite the initial reluctance from some NGOs, persistent efforts and clear communication about the benefits and confidentiality of the study gradually won their trust. This phase was not only about gathering data but also about building relationships and trust with these NGOs. I contacted 80+ organizations out of which 30+ NGOs agreed to collaborate for the project.
Data Analysis: The Grueling Phase
Following data collection, I entered the most stressful phase of the project—data analysis. The workload was immense, requiring long hours of meticulous examination without the usual breaks. Weekends and public holidays turned into regular workdays. However, this period was crucial as it transformed raw data into meaningful insights, setting the stage for impactful outcomes. I prepared analysis for my host organization (HO) as well as work on analysis which I could use for the research. The analysis yielded some very interesting findings from the landscape of livelihoods of PwNDs in India.
Compiling Findings: Seeing the Impact
The next phase was compiling the findings, a rewarding process where I began to see the tangible results of months of hard work. This stage involved synthesizing the data into a coherent narrative, highlighting the needs, challenges, and opportunities within the neurodiversity sector. It was exhilarating to see the puzzle pieces fit together, forming a clear picture of the landscape we aimed to improve. Many knowledge products were created during this phase including a project report which included detailed explanation about the current landscape of PwNDs in India; a research paper, which captured the qualitative views of NGOs about the landscape; and lastly, a manual which included concise findings which could be given to the NGOs which participated in this project.
Dissemination: Spreading the Word
The final stretch of my Fellowship involved disseminating the findings. This included hosting a networking event where I could acknowledge the participating organizations as well as launch the manual based on the findings from the landscape. The networking event not only set the stage for continued collaboration of these NGOs with my HO but also acted as a platform to introduce the research paper and manual to these NGOs. This ensured the maximum impact of our work.
Conclusion: Growth Through Challenges
Despite the challenges and the steep learning curve in a sector that was new to me, this journey has been incredibly rewarding. It honed my problem-solving skills, made me solution-focused, and enriched my professional experience profoundly. The fellowship didn’t just teach me about neurodiversity—it taught me about resilience, persistence, inclusion, networking, building relationships and so much more things. I ended up getting way more than what I expected, and I hope to use all the learnings in my future endeavors.
