Non-governmental organisation AIM for Seva has come up with a new campaign to create awareness about autism. ‘Bolt of Blue’, the campaign started by the organisation in April, offers everyday products such as notepads, lunch bags and wallets for sale. What makes them different is that the cloth that is used to make these products is woven by autistic adults on handlooms. These adults are residents of a home run by AIM for Seva.
“We have around 35 men who live at our Krupa home in Sriperumbudur. As part of their occupational therapy, they work on making different materials with cloth and marbled paper. From these materials, we fashion products that people can use,” says Sumita Pai, manager for communications and programmes at the NGO.
“This is not done on a large commercial scale, as the residents take up the looms only at their discretion; but as a developmental activity for our wards, it is impactful,” she adds.
Last December, the home first started offering the products for sale at events where they participated. “The response was encouraging. So, as part of our awareness activity for April, we launched the ‘Bolt of Blue’ initiative,” says Sumita. “We initially chose the name as the colour blue is normally associated with autism, but we later realised that by sheer coincidence, most of our products are of the same shade as well,” she adds.
The products on sale are available at the AIM for Seva office at Desikan Road, Mylapore.
For more information, call 9500082142 or visit www.aimforseva.org
