The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Coimbatore News : Offset printing unit for physically challenged

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 24, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore

Offset printing unit for physically challenged

By Our Staff Reporter

COIMBATORE, APRIL 23 . An automated offset printing machine worth Rs 3.7 lakhs has been installed at the Society for the Aid of Handicapped Children with a view to helping them earn, the committee member of the society, T. Balaji, said.

The installation would help train physically challenged from both the society and outside and they would liaison with the corporate offices for placement. Those who had completed Class 10 could join the training programme.

They would be trained to make calendars, printing cards, commercial documents and certificates.

They would be trained to market these products, and commission given to them based on their sales. Safety aspects were given utmost importance in the unit. It was free from electric shocks and there were no problems while feeding or removing the papers.

As a dry compressor was fitted to the machine, there was no need for it to be lubricated periodically. The maintenance was made user-friendly and cost-effective.

"A trained offset printing operator can earn about Rs. 3,000 - Rs. 4,000 a month. The machine has the capacity to print about 3,000 copies in an hour. The society has plans to identify physically challenged in and around the district so as to help them earn their livelihood."

Hearing impaired were also trained in offset printing. On the various activities of the society he said that the disabled were involved in making chalk, crayon, phenyl, crafts and servicing of two wheelers. They also had full-fledged speech and physiotherapy units.

Earlier, speaking at the opening of the printing unit, the Collector, N. Muruganandam, said that rehabilitation of the disabled would necessarily have to include compulsory education. He said that disabled children were often considered a burden and were never educated.

They should be provided jobs that helped them be independent. In many villages, these children were never let out in the open, nor were they provided with required medical treatment.

He stressed the need for vocational training. The Government had provided grants for the disabled to help them in find employment.

He lauded the initiative taken up by the society to serve the handicapped and added that vocational training in offset printing was a new venture.

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