ORTHOTICS & PROSTHETICS ASSOCIATION OF INDIA (OPAI) ORGANISED TWENTY SECOND NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Orthotics & Prosthetics Association of India (OPAI) organised the Twenty Second National Conference, scheduled on 12th-14th February, 2016 at Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.

The theme of the conference being ‘ABILITATE ASSOCIATE HABILITATE’, it aims at providing a platform for exchange of technology, views and expertise among the Prosthetists & Orthotists and allied Rehabilitation Professionals.

Mobility India presented 8 papers during the conference. Ms. Krishnaveni and Mr. Sanyam, final year students of the Bachelor in Prosthetics & Orthotics (BPO) course awarded the first prize for their scientific paper presentations. Mr. Madesh Naik and Mr. Yeti Raj received the best student awards for BPO course for 2014 and 2015 respectively. Ms. Sangita Naik received the best student award for Masters in Prosthetics & Orthotics (MPO) course from AIIPMR for the year 2015.

The conference brought extreme proud moments as well as presented a great learning and exposure platform for the professionals and students from the rehabilitation, prosthetics & orthotics and allied domains. 

SUCCESSFULLY ROLLED OUT 4TH BATCH OF WHEELCHAIR SERVICE TRAINING PACKAGE-BASIC LEVEL, 8TH-12TH FEBRUARY, 2016

The workshop was altogether a vivid and enriching experience, with 24 participants carrying immense knowledge and expertise in their respective professions. Evidence based training delivery enhanced the dynamism of the workshop many folds.

The interactive sessions were quite beneficial to the trainees and the trainers too. 14 people with disabilities, in the need of wheelchairs, were assessed and fitted with the same tailored according to their needs. Participant’s involvement with the service users went beyond the disability, wheelchair service delivery, encompassing other functional, social aspects and also their participation in all the aspects and strata of society.

When asked upon their feedbacks, most of the participants were congruous making the statement “the practical sessions illustrating referral, assessment, prescription and fabrication of various wheelchair components were quite helpful. Working closely with service users has enhanced our confidence level as well as our knowledge”.

PAGE 1    2    3   4   5   6  7  8  9  10

Rapid assessment of DISABILITY (RAD) SURVEY TRAINING at Guwahati, 8^th-13^th February, 2016

Mobility India (MI) and Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) are collaborating to conduct a Rapid Assessment of Disability Survey to be carried out in Dimoria Block of Kamrup Metropolitan District of Assam. This project is funded by CBM.

For carrying out this survey, a training course was organised in MI office in Guwahati from 8th to 13th February, 2016, presided by Mrs Bridgetta Mary from CBM and Mrs Albina Shankar, Director, MI. The training was coordinated by Dr Sri Krishna and Mr Hira Ballabh Pant from PHFI along with Dr Sunil Deepak, Mr Anand and Mr Robi Kishore Dutta from MI.

Seven participants with experience in community development activities from Dimoria Block took part in the training.

The initial three days of training touched on basic concepts of disability and went through the different components of the RAD questionnaires. This part of the training concluded with mock exercises in using the questionnaires among the training participants. After the mock exercises, the challenges and doubts regarding specific questions were discussed.

Participants visited Sonapur village in Dimoria block for the field testing of the RAD questionnaires. Later all the training participants and resource persons met in Sonapur village to discuss the experience of conducting the survey in the pilot area of Sonapur village and the difficulties they had faced. Feedback was collected regarding specific questions about which clarifications were needed.

Part of the training was devoted to explaining the online data entry process on the RAD survey website set up by PHFI. The entered date will be examined regularly by PHFI.  

One day Orientation workshop on INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF FUNCTIONING, DISABILITY AND HEALTH (ICF), 20^th February, 2016

The workshop was conducted at Mobility India in collaboration with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) along with accreditation from Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). It was specifically designed for healthcare professionals, health administrators, educators, researchers as well as policy makers to gain an understanding about the ICF conception of disability, the framework and classifications of functioning and disability.

The Course Facilitator, Ms. Catherine Sykes, holds eminent positions in World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT) as a Professional Policy Consultant as well as Co-chairs WHO Functioning and Disability Reference Group. The objective of the workshop was ultimately realized with the interactive and potential sessions from the facilitator and the 75 target audience representing 5 states of India, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. 

PAGE 1    2    3   4   5   6  7  8  9  10

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.  

PAGE 1    2    3   4   5   6  7  8  9  10