The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Striving to empower the differently abled

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 09, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Striving to empower the differently abled

“We need not isolate disabled children with special status”

— Photo: M. Karunakaran

Annie Shyam.

She has travelled widely for the cause of differently abled children. She has managed to merge her profession as a physiotherapist with her passion for social service. With nearly four decades of experience to her credit, Spastics Society of Tamil Nadu (SPASTN) Director Annie Shyam has played a key role in the organisation’s growth over the last few years. She talks about her passion to empower the differently abled and the progress of SPASTN in an interview with K. Lakshmi.

“I grew up observing my parents help the underprivileged, particularly my father who supported needy children. Probably, it rubbed off on me from them,” says Ms. Shyam, who beams as she talks about her fervour for social work. As one who strongly believes that disabled children can be empowered if given the opportunity, Ms. Shyam says: “We have moved out from the charity model to the social development and rights model. They have the skills. All we need to do is channelise their abilities.”

“A boy with autism in SPASTN can paint so well. But, you don’t realise it on first look,” she says, adding that “we pick up their strengths and build it up.”

Asked about her work experience abroad that spans about three decades, she said: “I worked amid disabled children in several countries, including Jamaica, U.K. and Singapore, thanks to my husband, who loves to travel like me. In developed countries, disability friendliness is already woven into their social system.”

She recalled her excitement when she learnt about inclusive education in Jamaica, which motivated her to replicate it in India. After returning to India in 2001, her initial idea was to start a non-governmental organisation for both underprivileged and disabled children. “I took charge in SPASTN as it matched my ideals.” Screening of new born babies for early detection of disability through NGO partners across the State, inclusive education under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in three districts, including Tiruvallur, and vocational training for disabled candidates are some of the projects that she has carried forward.

“Our community based rehabilitation programme is proceeding to every panchayat union block in Tiruvallur district. This way, we promote community participation and ownership of the activities for the disabled,” she says.

Self-Help Groups formed for parents of the disabled and their older disabled children in Chennai has now branched out to 25 groups. A representative of the organisation that won a national award for a barrier-free environment, Ms. Shyam dreams of accessibility in all aspects and social security for the disabled. “We need to sensitise architects and contractors to build disabled friendly structures,” she adds.

“We need not isolate the disabled children with special status. They must be treated as same by providing equal opportunities.”

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