« TRAINING REPORT : October 24-25, 2006 : Project Formulation Workshop | Main | Role of technology in rehabilitation of the disabled »
November 13, 2006
NATIONAL LEVEL UNIQUE EXHIBITION ON AIDS/ APPLIANCES
SAMARTHYA -2006, - A NATIONAL LEVEL UNIQUE EXHIBITION ON AIDS/ APPLIANCES
AND SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND ELDERLY
Press Release, Monday, November 06, 2006, PIB
As per the National Census 2001, 2.1% of India's population suffers from one or other kind of disability. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the State Governments are committed to ensure equal opportunity to this section of population and their development to their full potential. In this endeavour the role of assistive devices, awareness about prevention, early identification of disabilities, early intervention and other such services is very crucial. In addition sociological changes like break down of joint family system, increase in average life span etc. are leading to creation of new vulnerable groups as elderly persons that need social protection, rehabilitative therapies and mobility and other such aids.
"SAMARTHYA 2006", Chandigarh organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in collaboration with State Government of Punjab & Haryana, is an exhibition of assistive devices, teaching kit, learning material services and barrier free features that not only provides a unique opportunity for obtaining information on technologies available in the field of disability, but also provides a forum for exchange of ideas among the users and providers of rehabilitation services. It also aims at creating awareness about prevention, early intervention and barrier free environment among general public.
This is tenth in series of exhibitions organized by the Ministry after the nine successful events held in different states. Free furnished exhibition space and reimbursement of 2nd class rail fare for two persons/ organization is provided to short listed manufacturers/ NGOs for display their products/ service during the exhibition. The Government Department are also encouraged to put up information about their Schemes & facilities etc. for persons with disabilities/elderly persons.
Samarthya 2006, Chandigarh is going to be a unique exhibition were a record number of Manufacturers/ Fabricators, NGOs and Govt. organizations are participating. In addition some new activities like organization of mobile courts for redressing the grievance of persons with disabilities, screening of audio described films for visually impaired, interstate quiz competitions for Aganwadi workers etc. are being attempted. The visitors can also avail the benefits of free eye/ear and IQ testing, counseling for backaches, joint pains, learning difficulties of children and other rehabilitation issues.
The persons with disabilities can also get free aids and appliances in accordance with the provisions of the ADIP scheme of the Ministry. As in this belt lot of persons suffers from loss of fingers/limb due to agricultural accidents provisions have also been made for measurement and fitment of artificial limbs, cosmetic prosthesis like fingers etc.
In all the exhibition will not only benefit the persons with disabilities/ elderly persons and their families but can be a learning experience for all persons directly or indirectly associated in working towards the welfare of the target group like Doctors, Nurses, Anganwadi /Health workers, Teachers, Architects, Engineers and other such personnel as well as the general public.
Some of the interesting features of SAMARTHYA 2006, Chandigarh are
1. Display and fitment of good quality cosmetic prosthesis - Ramaiah Hospital, Banglore with funding from Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, GOI has developed a technique of making Low cost, good quality, silicone cosmetic prosthesis (fingers, ears etc.) that totally matches with the Indian skin colours. Interested persons can give their measurements and get the fitments during the exhibition.
2. Display of range of softwares, CDs, training kits for education and day to day needs of persons with disabilities - New, systematic and easy ways of teaching that can help the parents and teachers of children with special needs as well as normal kids.
3. Display of newly developed low cost low vision aids - CSIO, Chandigarh with funding from Ministry has developed cheap, light weight and effective low vision aids like telemicroscope, hand held illuminated lens for reading etc.
4. Making Home for all ages - Most of our homes are designed with the assumption that a person would remain fit, young and agile all through his life. But the needs of a person may undergo tremendous changes especially during the latter part of life. A life size home constructed at exhibition site brings out the design features that make the home safe and comfortable for everyone, young and old, whether they have disability or not.
5. Screening of audio described films. - Films that can also be enjoyed by visually impaired without assistance of any person. Screening of two such films- "Black" and "Hanuman" areplanned on first and last day of the exhibition respectively.
Source: http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=21772
Aqeel
Posted by jicafriends at November 13, 2006 12:58 PM