The intellectually challenged may be unable to express their needs or dream high. But if trained properly, they can handle a multitude of tasks. It is in this backdrop that Ability Cafe, a novel venture of the Kozhikode district administration for the rehabilitation of intellectually- challenged persons, gains significance.
Backed by the District Legal Services Authority, National Trust, and Parivaar, an organisation of parents of intellectually-challenged children, the first Ability Cafe will be opened at the Kozhikode collectorate on Tuesday.
Two intellectually-challenged individuals were trained under the Community Disability Management and Rehabilitation Programme (CDMRP) of the department of psychology, University of Calicut, for more than six months to run the cafe, which will mostly serve beverages and snacks. They will be supported by their families who will deliver snacks to be served at the facility.
District Collector U.V. Jose will open the Ability Cafe at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, while District Social Justice Officer Anita S. Lynn will preside over the function. Sub Judge and Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority M.P. Jayaraj will be the guest of honour. CDMRP joint director Raheemudeen P.K. and National Trust Convenor P. Sikander will be present.
More Ability Cafes will come up at the mofussil bus stand and the corporation office premises, thus offering livelihood-based vocational rehabilitation to four more intellectually- challenged persons.
