SRM College of Occupational Therapy (SRM OT) observed World Disability Day at SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre (SRM MCH&RC), Kattankulathur by honoring three special children (K. Vijay, A. Ravi Varma, and T. Hemavarshani) who have proved to be great achievers in spite of their physical deficiencies. Along with these children, 15 others were provided Teaching Learning Materials (TLM) under the Government of India's ADIP (Assistance to disabled persons for Purchase/fitting of Aids/Appliances) Scheme. All these children are undergoing therapy sessions at SRM OT.
The chief guest for the event was Deputy Registrar (Admin), National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (Dept. of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Divyangjan, Govt of India, Mr. S. Sankara Narayanan.
Addressing students, S. Sankara Narayanan said, “Your contribution is going to be excellent and remarkable. An inclusive society is the need of the hour now. Previously, we lived in large families, and taking care of special children used to be convenient. Now we live in a nuclear family. It has become the duty of the government to take care of this society, hence, NIEPMD. Tamil Nadu government is the best in India for treating people with disabilities. Our government is always there to sort out any issues.”
He emphasizes that caregivers are the need of the hour. “Educational institutions should have caregiver course so that it empowers parents, especially mothers. Only then they can understand the intricacies of the problems.”
In his welcome address, SRM Dean (OT), Dr. U. Ganapathy Sankar, said, “Disability is not a sickness but a disorder. We at SRM OT help affected children to live an independent life.”
SRM MCH&RC’s Pro VC (Medical and Health Sciences), Dr. Lt. Col. A. Ravikumar said, “A pain-staking, but heart-rending service that is provided by all members of SRM College of Occupational Therapy.” He urged parents to be determined towards success. “The success of having these three children defy their physical deficiencies was possible because of their courage of conviction, self-belief, hard work and ‘Never say die’ sense of determination as well as well as able guidance from the experts at the SRM OT.”
Dean (Medical) Dr. A. Sundaram said, “Autism can be completely cured with proper treatment. So it's not a deficiency. The two functioning of the OT department - One is service, the other is being a therapist. This year SRM MCH&RC has opened a sensory garden to help differently-abled children.”
SRM OT is one of the oldest colleges in this specialty in India and has done yeoman service to children born with disabilities such as autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and the like to help them mainstream into conventional society with appropriate job opportunities.
