Dimapur, October 22 (MExN): As a follow-up of their ongoing work to sensitize schools and teachers about the various issues related to disability Enable conducted a pioneering one day training workshop in Pfutsero on October 19. The programme entitled “ Workshop on equipping Parent, Teachers and Care-givers in caring for differently – abled person” is also a follow-up of Enable’s prior research work done in the district, the abstract of which has also been brought out by the group.
A press note received here stated that speaking at the inaugural function of the workshop the chief guest , V.Lovitoly Sema , the Sub Divisional Officer (Civil), Pfutsero Headquarters congratulated Enable for its novel initiative in reaching out to the parents of differently- abled persons and schools in the Phek district. She said that the state had for so long neglected this issue and it was high time that disability issues are seriously tackled. Mentioning that the state still does not have the exact figures pertaining to the state, she said that effort must be made to help differently- abled persons feel an equal part of the society. Lovitoly also said that in developed nations, provisions like ramps and other adjustments even in public places are made keeping in mind the needs of the persons with disability, however these things are yet to come about in the state.
Earlier in the programme the chairperson of Enable, Neikule Doulo a mother of a child with autism spoke about the history of Enable, a group that started in 2007 out of the dire needs felt by few parents to provide the basic facilities to their children along with their friends. Their belief Neikule said is summed up in a quote by Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the change that you want to see in the world”. She said that these parents who initially formed the core group along with their friends felt that even parents having privileged lives also went through much ordeal and hence felt compelled to help those less privileged ones to get access to the basic facilities within the state. The chairperson said that through their initiative there are a number of inclusive schools and play schools in the state where a number of special children are given equal opportunity as any of their peer-groups. The chairperson also said that their research work – “Status of Disability in Kohima and Phek” district has highlighted the plight of many neglected differently- abled persons. However she is of the firm belief that the issue of disability has to be tackled by parents, schools, churches, civil society groups and the government collectively and it is not something that can be taken care of by just one party, the press note said.
Speaking on the occasion was Dr Asunu Thong, secretary of the group highlighted the various health concerns that may cause disability in children of which a number are unknown. But some causes like alcohol,smoking,exposure to radiation,taking drugs, sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis, trauma at birth are preventable causes of disability. Also a mother of a 7 year old boy with autism and the proprietor of the inclusive playschool Jo Foundation, Kohima, Dr Asunu shared that her son is still non-verbal despite the fact that he was diagnosed before 3 years and said that early diagnosis is crucial for intervention in the cases of all types of disability. Talking of the interventions that can help children with special needs she said that it was imperative that parents from whatever background should talk to their children constantly to keep stimulating their minds and give them as much opportunity to interact with their peer groups to help them learn by observing their friends.
The programme also included a highlight of the possibilities of the true spirit of inclusion in a mainstream school by Nzanbeni Tsopoe, Headmistress of St Joseph School, Kohima and the President of the All Nagaland Private Schools Association, Kohima unit. Nzanbeni said that St Joseph School has so far helped two students with disability in the successful clearing of the HSLC exams this year and helped them to secure admission in reputed colleges in Kohima ensuring their success. She also said that there are other children affected by various disabilities in the school and the teachers are all making extra efforts to help them do better. Nzanbeni challenged the teachers present at the programme to take teaching as a mission work and give their very best.
It further stated that Kopele Mero, Special Educator also shared on the ways to teach Children With Special Needs emphasizing on the fact that children learn from a very early age and that parents need to take proactive measures as soon as they can. Addressing teachers, she stated that inclusive classrooms need to be well-planned ahead of time and teaching should be made fun for all kinds of learners. She stressed that many a time weak children are pressurized to do more than the others which can prove to be detrimental for those with learning disabilities. A former consultant at Shree Ram school, New Delhi, she said that in other places inclusion meant that the classwork of every child, be it a child with normal abilities or one with special needs was tailored for their own individual needs and teachers should try to follow that system.
A press note received here stated that speaking at the inaugural function of the workshop the chief guest , V.Lovitoly Sema , the Sub Divisional Officer (Civil), Pfutsero Headquarters congratulated Enable for its novel initiative in reaching out to the parents of differently- abled persons and schools in the Phek district. She said that the state had for so long neglected this issue and it was high time that disability issues are seriously tackled. Mentioning that the state still does not have the exact figures pertaining to the state, she said that effort must be made to help differently- abled persons feel an equal part of the society. Lovitoly also said that in developed nations, provisions like ramps and other adjustments even in public places are made keeping in mind the needs of the persons with disability, however these things are yet to come about in the state.
Earlier in the programme the chairperson of Enable, Neikule Doulo a mother of a child with autism spoke about the history of Enable, a group that started in 2007 out of the dire needs felt by few parents to provide the basic facilities to their children along with their friends. Their belief Neikule said is summed up in a quote by Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the change that you want to see in the world”. She said that these parents who initially formed the core group along with their friends felt that even parents having privileged lives also went through much ordeal and hence felt compelled to help those less privileged ones to get access to the basic facilities within the state. The chairperson said that through their initiative there are a number of inclusive schools and play schools in the state where a number of special children are given equal opportunity as any of their peer-groups. The chairperson also said that their research work – “Status of Disability in Kohima and Phek” district has highlighted the plight of many neglected differently- abled persons. However she is of the firm belief that the issue of disability has to be tackled by parents, schools, churches, civil society groups and the government collectively and it is not something that can be taken care of by just one party, the press note said.
Speaking on the occasion was Dr Asunu Thong, secretary of the group highlighted the various health concerns that may cause disability in children of which a number are unknown. But some causes like alcohol,smoking,exposure to radiation,taking drugs, sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis, trauma at birth are preventable causes of disability. Also a mother of a 7 year old boy with autism and the proprietor of the inclusive playschool Jo Foundation, Kohima, Dr Asunu shared that her son is still non-verbal despite the fact that he was diagnosed before 3 years and said that early diagnosis is crucial for intervention in the cases of all types of disability. Talking of the interventions that can help children with special needs she said that it was imperative that parents from whatever background should talk to their children constantly to keep stimulating their minds and give them as much opportunity to interact with their peer groups to help them learn by observing their friends.
The programme also included a highlight of the possibilities of the true spirit of inclusion in a mainstream school by Nzanbeni Tsopoe, Headmistress of St Joseph School, Kohima and the President of the All Nagaland Private Schools Association, Kohima unit. Nzanbeni said that St Joseph School has so far helped two students with disability in the successful clearing of the HSLC exams this year and helped them to secure admission in reputed colleges in Kohima ensuring their success. She also said that there are other children affected by various disabilities in the school and the teachers are all making extra efforts to help them do better. Nzanbeni challenged the teachers present at the programme to take teaching as a mission work and give their very best.
It further stated that Kopele Mero, Special Educator also shared on the ways to teach Children With Special Needs emphasizing on the fact that children learn from a very early age and that parents need to take proactive measures as soon as they can. Addressing teachers, she stated that inclusive classrooms need to be well-planned ahead of time and teaching should be made fun for all kinds of learners. She stressed that many a time weak children are pressurized to do more than the others which can prove to be detrimental for those with learning disabilities. A former consultant at Shree Ram school, New Delhi, she said that in other places inclusion meant that the classwork of every child, be it a child with normal abilities or one with special needs was tailored for their own individual needs and teachers should try to follow that system.
