Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

Dispelling myths about disability

Staff Reporter

COIMBATORE: The Vidya Vikasini Opportunities School at Thudiyalur will identify slow learners and students with specific learning disabilities in Government schools and provide remedial assistance to them as part of its silver jubilee celebrations.

"There is still a lot of misconception surrounding the issue of learning disabilities. Many think of it as mental retardation," said S.S. Jayalakshmi, founder and Secretary. "Through this programme, we aim to dispel the myths regarding disability."

Series of programmes

The school has chalked out a series of programmes for mentally and physically disabled children in the city and outskirts. Creating an awareness and early detection of disability in places such as Ganapathy and Saravanampatty would be taken up soon after the celebrations. It had already carried out similar programmes in 15 villages in Anaikatti region, Ms. Jayalakshmi said.

The school had also tied up with a few hospitals in the city. For the projects concerning children with visual impairment, Siloam Thomas Hospital would provide help. Adults' rehabilitation would be done in association with Ganga Hospital. A parents training package had also been designed in association with the Rehabilitation Council of India and the Indira Gandhi National Open University. In addition to this, a workshop for parents regarding awareness and training in disability would be organised. Other members of the family could also participate in the programme. Rehabilitation for women with disabilities was another project, which would be pursued.

Occupational therapy, intervention programmes for mental retardation and cerebral palsy were done by the school on a regular basis. These programmes would be strengthened and continued, she explained.

Entertainment programmes too had been arranged in this connection from August 12 to 15. Cultural programmes, drama, dance recitals, and a carnival would be organised. On August 5, there would be competitions and cultural programmes for children with disabilities from various schools in the district.

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