ACCESS Constitution Summary

PART I; PRELIMINARY INFORMATION

 ARTICLE 1;   ACCESS

ARTICLE 2;   Autism Community Care and Empowering Social Services
 ARTICLE 3;   Preamble

 Autism Community Care and Empowering Social Services - ACCESS is a non-governmental organization, non-profit and voluntary that offers support primarily to parents of children, guardians and children/adults affected by autism and falling within signs and symptoms of autistic spectrum disorder in Tanzania. Other families that have children/adults with other mental health disorders such as Dawn’s syndrome and mental retardation are also supported by the organization. The overall goal is to form a network of parents that will directly interact and advocate for improved services of children/adults affected by the autistic spectrum disorders and other chronic mental conditions or disabilities.

The organization is primarily aiming at raising public awareness about autism and other mental disabilities on the on going global progress in achieving treatment and appropriate management for children and adults with mental disabilities, and facilitation and promotion of human rights to this marginalized group in Tanzania. As yet the prevalence of autism in Tanzania is not known although the trend is seen to be rising due to the number of children seeking the scarce educational resources and medical care services. Therefore another primary objective of ACCESS will be to establish how prevalent the condition is in Tanzania including associated mental disorders and other mental disabilities as well as availability of supportive services.

The organization welcomes all community members affected by autism/other mental disabilities including associated disabilities to contribute to further strengthening of its activities and eventual outcome of improvement of the quality of life. Other members of the society and community at large are invited to be members of the society and contribute to its goals.

PART II:         CONSTITUTION, DENOMINATION, REGISTRATION, HEAD OFFICE, 

AREA OF OPERATION
ARTICLE 4;    Autism Community Care and Social Services Project – ACCESS
ARTICLE 5;    Registration as a National Non-Governmental Organization under Tanzania NGO Act;
ARTICLE 6;    ACCESS office; Mbezi Beach Block F, Plot 915, Kimanya Avenue;

                        Kinondoni, Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania

ARTICLE 7; Area of Operation
The NGO will start activities in three wards of Kinondoni district that are Kawe, Kunduchi wards and Tegeta and will scale up to the whole district after the first two years of activities. Scale – up to National level spread is anticipated after start of the district activities depending on accessibility to funding, although National level advocacy is planned from the start of implementation of activities.
PART III: VISION, MISSION, OBJECTIVES, PROTECTION OF THE ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE 10; Vision Statement
 “To have a society free from segregation of mentally affected children and adults that enable them to access all societal human rights and services as other community members”
ARTICLE 11; Mission Statement
“To provide mental health services to the community affected by autism and other mental health conditions and minimise cultural barriers and isolation of the affected children/adults suffering from the conditions”

ARTICLE 12;  Objectives

1.      To enhance knowledge and skills building to the community on issues concerning mental disabilities

2.      To raise public awareness of autism and other mental disabilities that are largely affecting the community

3.      To promote the use of community volunteers and ward leaders in improving the quality of life of mentally disabled community through facility identification

4.      To provide mental health services to autistic and other mental health conditions in order to minimise cultural barriers and isolation of the affected children/adults.

ARTICLE 13;  Penal code and By laws

The organization will adhere to Government of Tanzania’s directives and by laws as appropriate while implementing its activities and will promote for human rights and justice for all.