REACH ME Project – Restoring Dignity, Rights, and Inclusion for People Affected by Leprosy, Filaria, and Disability
Project Initiation: Jan 2022 – Dec 2026
Project Geography:
Andhra Pradesh: Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari
Odisha: Ganjam District
Coverage: All Leprosy Colonies across Andhra Pradesh
Implemented by: Brighter Future Development Trust (BFDT)

Introduction: Beyond Disease, Towards Dignity
Leprosy, Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), and disability are not merely medical conditions—they are deeply intertwined with stigma, discrimination, social exclusion, and loss of human rights.
The REACH ME Project was designed by Brighter Future Development Trust to address this reality holistically. It goes beyond treatment to focus on rehabilitation, empowerment, advocacy, and inclusion, ensuring that people affected by leprosy, filaria, and disability are not invisible—but recognized as rights-bearing citizens.
REACH ME stands for restoring health, voice, livelihoods, and dignity to those long pushed to society’s margins.

Why the REACH ME Project Was Needed
BFDT’s decades of engagement with leprosy colonies and affected communities revealed persistent challenges:
Preventable disabilities due to delayed treatment
Severe stigma leading to social isolation
Lack of access to government welfare schemes
Psychological trauma and loss of self-worth
Absence of collective voice for affected persons
Despite medical advancements, people affected by leprosy and LF continued to live in segregated colonies, excluded from mainstream society.
REACH ME was conceptualized to bridge medical care, social rehabilitation, and rights advocacy.

Target Communities
The project works with:
Persons affected by Leprosy
Persons affected by Lymphatic Filariasis
Persons with Disabilities
Families living in leprosy colonies
Community-based organizations of affected persons
Special focus is placed on psychosocial wellbeing, inclusion, and leadership development.

Core Components of the REACH ME Project
1. Morbidity Management & Disability Prevention
A critical pillar of REACH ME is reducing preventable disability through:
Integrated Prevention of Disability (IPOD) Camps
Early identification of nerve damage
Training affected persons in self-care practices
Referral linkages to health facilities
These interventions significantly reduce secondary disabilities and improve quality of life.

2. Mapping Disease Burden
To support evidence-based planning, BFDT conducts:
Line listing and community surveys
Disease burden mapping for Leprosy and LF
Coordination with District NLEP and District Filariasis Units
This data strengthens public health response and ensures targeted interventions.

3. Grassroots Health System Linkages
REACH ME works closely with:
ASHA workers
Grassroot health staff
Local health institutions
This ensures timely referrals, follow-ups, and continuity of care for affected persons.

4. Psychological and Emotional Wellbeing
Disease-related stigma leaves deep emotional wounds. REACH ME prioritizes:
Counseling support
Community group formation (CSOs)
Peer support mechanisms
Confidence and self-esteem building
Addressing inner wellbeing is central to sustainable rehabilitation.

5. Strengthening Collective Voice – SLAP AP
REACH ME plays a key role in strengthening SLAP AP (Society for Leprosy Affected Persons of Andhra Pradesh) as a state-level organization by:
Capacity building
Leadership training
Organizational strengthening
Advocacy skill development
This ensures affected persons speak for themselves, not through intermediaries.

6. Advocacy for Rights and Policy Change
The project actively advocates for:
Progress on EDPAL Bill 256
Disability and leprosy-related human rights
Inclusion in welfare schemes
Social protection entitlements
Advocacy is grounded in lived experience and community leadership.

7. Livelihood and Economic Empowerment
Economic exclusion deepens stigma. REACH ME supports:
Linkages with Self Help Groups (SHGs)
Access to bank loans, government loans, and NGO SHG loans
Livelihood restoration initiatives
Income generation opportunities
This helps affected families move from dependency to self-reliance.

8. Leprosy Colony Development
REACH ME works within leprosy colonies to improve:
Living conditions
Community infrastructure
Access to services
Social inclusion efforts
The aim is integration, not segregation.

Staff Capacity and Expertise
REACH ME staff are qualified, trained, and experienced in leprosy work
Continuous training on filaria, advocacy, and disability rights
Re-orientation programs to keep teams updated on best practices
BFDT’s long-standing credibility enables trust-based community engagement.

Impact and Significance
Through REACH ME, BFDT has:
Improved access to healthcare for affected persons
Reduced preventable disabilities
Strengthened leadership among leprosy-affected communities
Enabled economic empowerment through SHGs
Advanced advocacy for legal and policy recognition
Most importantly, REACH ME has helped people reclaim voice, confidence, and dignity.

Why the REACH ME Project Matters
REACH ME demonstrates that:
Medical cure alone is not enough
Stigma must be confronted structurally
Empowerment must be community-led
Rights-based approaches create lasting change
It is a model for inclusive public health and social justice.

Looking Ahead
BFDT continues to strengthen REACH ME by:
Expanding advocacy networks
Deepening community leadership
Enhancing livelihood pathways
Building stronger government partnerships
The long-term vision is a society where leprosy, filaria, and disability no longer define one’s place in life.