Training Course on ‘Communication skills among children with disabilities’ conducted by Mobility India for Community Staff at Guwahati

Most community projects seems to be strong in promoting livelihood activities and in facilitating access to different Government schemes such as disability certificates, pension, and scholarships. However, their activities related to medical rehabilitation and healthcare are usually limited.

This trend is visible in the north-eastern regions as well. Persons with less resources as well as persons living in district towns and rural areas have difficulties in accessing the health services. To combat such scenarios, a very need is felt of simplifying specialized medical knowledge, so that community staff can help families and persons with disabilities.

A five day long training was held for the community staff from 19^th to 23^rd January, 2016. The 11 participants included rehabilitation therapy assistant, community staff, members from Disabled People Organization as well as parents’ organisation, livelihood coordinator, teachers, special educators and district health programme coordinators.

The training looked at different disabilities often associated with communication difficulties, childhood development milestones, delayed milestones and developmental disabilities, assessment of basic skills needed for communication, preparation of intervention plan, introduction to psycho-motor play activities and an introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). The training used interactive sessions with ample use of videos, accompanied by discussions, simulation exercises and group activities.

The upcoming module of training will focus on communication skills and specific issues concerning children with Cerebral Palsy.

Exposure visit by service club students from SRI KUMARAN PUBLIC SCHOOL

A group of 45 students accompanied by teachers Ms. Mamatha and Ms. Sandhya visited Mobility India on 30^th January, 2016. During the visit, students were oriented and provided a building tour to get an understanding on the activities carried out.

For most of the students, it was the first experience seeing children and adults with physical challenges and the services available to cater to their needs. MI’s services were immensely appreciated by all of them.  

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Rehabilitation Services Reaching to the Remote Districts of Chhattisgarh

The geographic location and ethnic background of the northern part of Chhattisgarh State are the contributing factors towards its underdevelopment. The region is predominantly inhabited by tribes acquiring 78% of the population. Margdarshak Seva Sansthan (MSS) is a registered NGO. Their scope of intervention in the northern part of Chhattisgarh State includes four Districts i.e. Surguja, Surajpur, Koriya and Korba.

It was in 2013 during the fitment program at Vikalp Foundation at Gaya, Bihar, the Director of MSS came to know about the rehabilitation services provided by Mobility India. He discussed with the Rehabilitation team from Mobility India regarding the community activities carried out by MSS for the differently-abled and exhibited keen interest to collaborate with Mobility India to implement rehabilitation services which is unreached in their target area due to geographical isolation.

Mobility India in partnership with MSS for the first time rendered rehabilitation services to the persons with disabilities. The assessment camp was attended by 116 persons with disabilities, 32 of them were prescribed for various types of assistive devices. Later during the fitment camp, the 32 people received 57 assistive devices of various kinds as well as GAIT training. 

Collaborating with Gram Panchayat Shankarpur, South 24 Paraganas, West Bengal for Rehabilitation Service Provision 

The persons with disabilities from Shankarpur, Baruipur situated 75 kilometers away from Kolkata received rehabilitation services. The service was rendered through MIRRC in collaboration with the Gram Panchayat.

At Shankarpur Gram Panchayat a workshop on “disabling conditions and barrier free environment” was organized by MIRRC for Anganwadi and ASHA workers. The participants identified 172 persons with various kinds of disabilities from 11 villages and shared the information with MIRRC.  

Past few months several meetings were held with Gram Pradhan and ICDS supervisor regarding the rehabilitation service provision. Initially three villages i.e. Kanthalberia, East Dadpur and West Dadpur were shortlisted based on the close proximity with the Gram Panchayat. 13 persons attended the assessment camp, of which 15 were in a need of assistive devices. Others needing specialized treatment were referred for the same to hospitals and concerned centers. All the 15 persons were fitted with 25 assistive devices and provided with gait training. They were also instructed on the usage and maintenances of the assistive devices. The anganwadi workers were requested to follow up with the service users.

At the end of the fitment camp Gram Pradhan appreciated the initiatives of MIRRC and its dedicated services to the persons with disabilities. He also mentioned that the panchayat is looking forward for such services in the near future.  

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