Following up his announcement in the Assembly, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has issued orders to set up a Regional Early Diagnostic Centre to help detect hearing impairment in newborns.
The centre, which will come up in Tuticorin, will cater for continuous hearing impairment monitoring of children up to five years, and enhancing communication and hearing skills of these children, apart from examining newborns for hearing defects.
In addition, the Chief Minister, in response to repeated representations from members of the differently-abled community, has issued orders extending 75 per cent concession in all State Transport Corporation buses for unlimited journeys to one aide accompanying a disabled person. This concession is not for city and town buses and air-conditioned buses.