'Centre for deaf and dumb to come up soon'

From: Hindustan Times, India - Sep 27, 2004

HT Correspondent
Una, September 27

UNDER THE Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan, a formal education centre for the deaf and dumb children will soon be started by the district administration, revealed Deputy Commissioner Rajneesh Kumar here today. He was speaking at a camp for the disabled persons organised by the Sundernagar-based Composite Regional Centre (CRC) for Persons with Disabilities at Prem Ashram, a home for mentally challenged children.

The DC directed the district welfare and education departments to identify deaf and dumb children who could benefit from the project.

Kumar said the first such centre would be opened at the district headquarters, which has better transportation facilities, and the model could be replicated at the block level.

The DC appealed to the staff of the Prem Ashram to provide physiotherapy facilities to the mentally challenged children, particularly those suffering from muscular dystrophy at the Red Cross Physiotherapy Centre opened recently near the old hospital.

CRC officer-in-charge Manjeet Saini offered to provide trained teachers to the centre, as their first batch of trainees was to pass out shortly after completing a two-year diploma course in disability.

Speaking on the occasion, District welfare Officer S.L. Malhotra said the district had over 2,500 registered physically challenged persons, of which 900 were covered under the social security pension scheme. Those with more than 40 per cent disability, as certified by a government medical board, should register themselves with the District Welfare Department to avail of the benefit of various welfare schemes being provided by the state government, he said.

At today's camp, four clinics for orthopaedics, visual, mental retardation and audio impaired were organised. Hearing aids, wheel chairs and crutches were provided free of cost to the handicapped persons with monthly income of less than Rs 5,000, and those with monthly income between Rs 5,000 and Rs 8,000 were provided these at 50 per cent cost.

Prem Ashram principal Sister Joyce, Superior Sister Pushpa and Mt Carmel School principal Father James were also present. The DC also announced a grant of Rs 10,000 to the Ashram.

© HT Media Ltd. 2004.