Packing a list of courses like MS-Office, networking, photoshop, candle making and art and craft, Suraksha, an eight-year-old NGO, launched its first training centre at KRM Colony in the city. .
The NGO that has been catering to vocational education as well as placement needs of the differently abled girls so far has forayed into a new area targeted at empowering them further, providing a dedicated centre at the neighbourhood.
Giving preference to school dropouts and those belonging to weaker sections, Suraksha members say the focus is to impart customised training free of cost to the differently-abled girls.
“From computer classes to tailoring, the maiden venture will have certified trainers to offer a number of courses. After bringing out a hearing aid which looks similar to a Bluetooth device in February, we wanted to go beyond providing vocational education at special schools. Currently, the new training centre will go on from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Depending on the requirement, we will add new subjects to the list,” said G. Suguna and Nirmala Nanda, president and secretary of Suraksha.
'Corporates, NGOs must chip in'
After inaugurating the centre, assistant director of Welfare of Differently abled and Senior Citizens P. Venkateswara Rao said help of NGOs and corporate sectors was necessary for a level-playing field. “The collective effort helps improve the quality of life for the specially-abled.
With the new version of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill coming up in a more comprehensive format, redefining the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, the scope for the specially-abled will be widened once it is passed,” he said.
Suraksha has been providing a variety of therapies and soft skills training to those studying in special schools and voluntary organisations in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts.
While the new centre will provide training free of cost for differently-abled girls, a nominal fee will be charged for other students. “A few classes such as tailoring and technical courses will be held at Prajwal Vani Welfare Society,” said K.V.L.Suchitra, president of the society.
