'They should support Government’s efforts to improve the lot of the disabled' special correspondent
Coimbatore: Voluntary organizations have a major role to play in supplementing the efforts of the
Government in meeting all the requirements of the disabled persons, Collector Neeraj Mittal said
here on Thursday.
Inaugurating the school for Speech and Hearing Impaired Children of the Indian Red Cross Society, Coimbatore
he said: “It is heartening to see schools such as this one, opened by the Indian Red Cross Society.” The Collector also
mentioned the contribution of Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon V.Anand in organizing free cochlear implant for poor hearing
impaired children. Rural areas:
Mr.Mittal’s stress on the role of the private organizations Preceded a call by Commissioner for the Disabled V.K. Jeyakodi
to Non-Governmental organizations to focus more on the rural areas where persons with disabilities needed to know about
the welfare scheme the Government implemented for them. Mr.Jeyakodi presided over the inaugural.
Mr.Mittal said the district had around 30,000 persons
With various disabilities and Rs.13 lakh worth assistance was being provided to 330 persons. On every grievances day
(Monday),at least five parents came up with requests for their children who had one form of disability or the
others. As many as 1264 people were provided free bus pass – an assistance worth Rs.12 lakh.
The Government provided a monthly assistance of Rs.500 to persons with disabilities. It provided a self –employment subsidy
of Rs.3,000. Those who wanted to set up bunk stalls were provided Rs.10,000. Others assistance included Rs.3,000 for those
who wanted to do a degree in law and Rs.8,000 for orthopaedically disabled persons who needed to undergo a spinal
surgery.
The society’s Coimbatore Chapter Honorary Secretary Nandini Rangaswamy said a small centre with eight children had
now grown into a school with classes from prekindergarten to Class X. special education would be provided to speech and
hearing impaired children from the age two. Specially trained teachers would take classes for the Children.
A physical education teacher would also involve the Children in games and exercises. Talent in painting would also
be tapped and training in Yoga provided. A weekly medical check-up would be conducted