The State government’s proposal to launch mobile therapy units for the benefit of children with disability below six years of age has many takers.
The scheme is expected to benefit 14,476 children who have been identified for the programme. Each district will have one mobile unit, which will provide therapy at the doorstep of the child for six major disabilities – mental retardation, speech and hearing impairment, visual impairment, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy and autism.
The scheme, costing Rs. 4.49 crore, is being implemented by the district disability officer under the guidance of the respective district collectors. The therapy unit is a Tempo Traveller, which has been divided into two units – a driver’s cabin and an air-conditioned therapy cabin, around 60 sq. ft in size, comprising a testing couch.
The unit will have an audiologist, a physiotherapist and a speech therapist to assess the children and provide the necessary therapy. The units are also equipped with a log book, register on the beneficiaries and an attendance register of those seeking therapy.
For the current year, the government has estimated that it would spend Rs. 97.01 lakh. D. Elumalai, a visually challenged person who has four siblings with a similar disability said, “We know there is a vehicle but we have no knowledge about their function, like the number of staff and what is their work? Sometime ago interview for the driver’s post was conducted but after that there has been no news.”
In Ammayarkuppam in Pallipattu taluk in Tiruvallur district, around 20 children, including a few teenagers, desperately need such services, says S.A. Nirmala, secretary of Marumalarchi Matru Tiranaligal Nala Sangam.
