Graphic designing for special children

When Shiyamala Mohan, founder, Sri Sakthi Academy, School for Special Children, Saidapet, (Ph: 2220 1439 / 94445 61025) introduced animation courses for her students, little did she realise that creativity could do wonders. Students here are now designing greeting cards, visiting cards and patterns in photoshop and illustrator.

Tying up with a multimedia institute in the city, Sri Sakthi Academy offers graphic designing package for special children, which includes photoshop, coreldraw, in-design and illustrator. As many as 20 students (between 14 and 28 years) with mild and moderate learning disability, mental-retardation, attention deficit disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder have been learning the course.

Shaji, the tutor, says that students show extraordinary skills and interest. “I am surprised by their grasping level,” he adds. He admits that he needs to give individual attention to tap their talent. Shiyamala, mother of Durga, a special child, says that her daughter spent hours in computer experimenting with colours and shapes, when she learnt Powerpoint. Ms. Shiyamala identified this interest in special children and decided to start the course.

“I am amazed by their eye and hand co-ordination in selecting the tools and dragging them into shapes and also filling them with colours. Even students who do not perform well in academics are excelling in designing,” Vasantha Lakshmi, vice-principal, says. Shiyamala adds that they can go on to do a graduation in animation, which may lead to a livelihood. Ms. Shiyamala explains that apart from motorskill development, they also show an improvement in emotional control, personality and cognition. “Children at this age should be kept busy. They do realise that they are spending the time meaningfully and they take pride at the outcome of their work,” says Ms. Shiyamala, showing their works. “It improves their self-esteem which is vital to put them into jobs,” Ms. Shiyamala points out.

The multimedia institute has promised to offer student projects to the special children once they complete the course, depending on their ‘ability'.

The school works on the ability, skills and functional literacy. The activities include language and communication. Training in money transaction, shopping skills, measurement, time concept, assembling skills, weighing, packing and task completion, computer education and NIOS examination are offered. Vocational training include terracotta painting (lamps, idols), screen printing on photoframes, jute bags, paper bags, fabric painting, emboss painting, zardosi, embroidery and sand art, all focused to prepare them for independent living. Tata GoldPlus has been placing corporate gifts order with the institute and students are paid stipends for the projects.

Ms. Shiyamala says that Sri Sakthi Academy will launch a course package including DTP, MS Office and spoken English. She says that she wants to start a unit to integrate special children and others in a workplace. “Society understands and is aware of various disabilities in people, but there has been no adjustment in accepting challenged persons in workplace.”

Self-taught artist

Durga with one of her works. Photo: R. Shivaji Rao Self-taught artist

Shiyamala has seen her daughter Durga Mohan (22), lose herself in art. It is probably one of the ways that she expresses herself. The mild mentally-retarded and hearing impaired girl surprises Shiyamala every time she comes up with a piece of art. Be it fabric painting, emboss, zardosi or sand art, they have all been done with perfection sans smudge and stain; the colours have neither gone out of line nor the sequins wrongly placed.

This self-taught artist will appear for her last NIOS exam of Class XII this year. Seeing her work, orders have been pouring in from corporates and individuals. Durga works at her own pace, but there has been nothing beyond art. “She never watches TV or sits idle,” says Ms. Shiyamala. Durga is now learning graphic designing. “When she learnt the art of Mandala, I saw her experimenting with various designs and in a short time, she finished hundreds of designs with innumerable colour combination,” says the proud mother. — R.K.

Sri Sakthi Academy is trying to improve their self-esteem, brighten their future.