Kodagu Zilla Panchayat, District Legal Services Authority, Department of Women and Child Development, Department of Empowerment of Differently-abled and Senior Citizens, District Health and Family Welfare Department in association with SWASTHA – Centre for Special Education and Rehabilitation recentlycelebrated the ‘International Day of Care and Support’ at Swastha’s Suntikoppa Centre.
Shubha, Senior Civil Judge – District Legal Services Authority, inaugurated the programme. Speaking on the occasion judge opined that the differently-abled should be able to lead comfortable lives without being discriminated. The law has provisions for the rights of the differently-abled and they should be aware of their rights and make good use of the legal provisions they deserve, she added.
G. Vimala, Welfare Officer – Department of Empowerment of Differently-abled and Senior Citizens, spoke about the intent of the International Day of Care and Support and the stance taken by the United Nations in this regard.
Speaking on the occasion Sridevi Mudhola, Child Development Project Officer of Somavarapete, said about the difficulties faced by the caretakers of the differently-abled and ways for them to overcome the situations.
Presiding over the programme, Arathy Somaiah, Director – Swastha shared her thoughts on the challenging situations faced while empowering the differently-abled, their responses, responsibilities of the society and success of the community-based rehabilitation initiatives.
Gowtham Maini,TATA Coffee Suntikoppa, Estate Manager spoke on integrating the differently-abled with the mainstream society.
Workshop on ‘Early Identification and Intervention of AUTISM’
An Interactive Workshop on ‘Early Identification & Intervention of AUTISM’ was conducted for the Parents, School Teachers and Anganwadi Workers, by Child Psychologist Rushali. She explained in detail how identification of autism in early childhood will support in better intervention and the methods of dealing with the child to overcome the challenges it will have to face later.
Gowtham Maini Senior Special Education Co-ordinator of Swastha VanithaChengappa spoke on integrated approach to teach the autistic child in normal schools. Special Educator Manjula shared her experiences with the autistic students in the classroom atmosphere. Physiotherapist Ramjesab Nadaf spoke on sensory development of the autistic child through therapy. Sri Ram Gautham briefed about the various initiatives of art as an intervention for the specially-abled children with a visual presentation of the outcome.
The students of Swastha entertained the gathering with their dance performances.
The programme was attended by the parents and caretakers of the differently-abled, school teachers and anganwadi workers.
Special educators Manjunath and Lalitha conducted the programme.
