Ability Forum

[THOMASJACOB]

CHENNAI: Persons with multiple disabilities must be provided appropriate certification to enable access to government welfare schemes, participants at a workshop here on 'Perspectives on Multiple Disabilities' said.

Over 100 representatives from various fields, including social work, medicine and management, along with the directors of several national institutes working with the disabled, took part in the workshop organised by the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD).

Director of NIEPMD Neeraja Chandramohan said participating organisations would work together with the government for the holistic rehabilitation of and early intervention for disabled people.

Chairperson of National Trust Poonam Natrajan said certification of disabled people is yet to be developed. The National Trust was established by the Central government for the welfare of those with autism, cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities.

Minister for Social Welfare Poongothai Aladi Aruna said there was a need to re–look at the inclusive education policy to decide who can be included in mainstream classrooms. The severely mentally disabled people, for instance, required some sort of special education. Early intervention centres for the hearing impaired have been set up in all the State's districts, she said.

Participants discussed the definition of multiple disability and the service models, human resource development and research and development required to deal with multiple disability. They suggested that 'multiple disability' be defined as the combination of two or more impairments, either physical or mental, requiring inter–disciplinary rehabilitation and education services.

According to the recommendations that would be sent to the Centre, community–based rehabilitation measures should be accorded higher priority. Providing a barrier–free environment was of utmost importance.

Participants underlined the need for a standard prescribed format to certify multiply disability. Certificates should be given with an 'as on date' status to allow for improvement in the condition of the disability. The more common and easily identified conditions can be certified by doctors at Primary Health Centres. Schools should be discouraged from insisting on being shown the medical certificates before every board exam.

As for special educators themselves, the government has been urged to provide accreditation for courses and disseminate information relating to training courses. The need to recognise professionals dealing with multiple disability as a separate group and a special course for interpreters for the deaf and the deaf–blind were reiterated.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/17/stories/2007111759760300.htm

_________________
Warm Regards
Thomas Jacob

CHENNAI: Persons with multiple disabilities must be provided appropriate certification to enable access to government welfare schemes, participants at a workshop here on 'Perspectives on Multiple Disabilities' said.

Over 100 representatives from various fields, including social work, medicine and management, along with the directors of several national institutes working with the disabled, took part in the workshop organised by the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD).

Director of NIEPMD Neeraja Chandramohan said participating organisations would work together with the government for the holistic rehabilitation of and early intervention for disabled people.

Chairperson of National Trust Poonam Natrajan said certification of disabled people is yet to be developed. The National Trust was established by the Central government for the welfare of those with autism, cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities.

Minister for Social Welfare Poongothai Aladi Aruna said there was a need to re–look at the inclusive education policy to decide who can be included in mainstream classrooms. The severely mentally disabled people, for instance, required some sort of special education. Early intervention centres for the hearing impaired have been set up in all the State's districts, she said.

Participants discussed the definition of multiple disability and the service models, human resource development and research and development required to deal with multiple disability. They suggested that 'multiple disability' be defined as the combination of two or more impairments, either physical or mental, requiring inter–disciplinary rehabilitation and education services.

According to the recommendations that would be sent to the Centre, community–based rehabilitation measures should be accorded higher priority. Providing a barrier–free environment was of utmost importance.

Participants underlined the need for a standard prescribed format to certify multiply disability. Certificates should be given with an 'as on date' status to allow for improvement in the condition of the disability. The more common and easily identified conditions can be certified by doctors at Primary Health Centres. Schools should be discouraged from insisting on being shown the medical certificates before every board exam.

As for special educators themselves, the government has been urged to provide accreditation for courses and disseminate information relating to training courses. The need to recognise professionals dealing with multiple disability as a separate group and a special course for interpreters for the deaf and the deaf–blind were reiterated.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/17/stories/2007111759760300.htm

_________________
Warm Regards
Thomas Jacob

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