DOST- 2011: AN INCLUSION PROGRAMME FOR SPECIALLY-ABLED TEENAGERS
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/sets/72157626015715669/
Children and Teenagers with special needs have a number of programs
focused on both their educational requirements as well as building up
their self help skills. However socialization with persons from the
mainstream is another very important aspect of their growth which should
be encouraged. TIES (Towards Inclusion Everywhere in Society) is a
society of parents of children with special needs which has been working
to promote the inclusion of children with special needs into a
mainstream setting by setting up resource rooms in regular schools and
various other activities.
In this regard, TIES with support from Sangath started DOST (Developing
Opportunities for Special Teens) -a programme that addresses the needs
of teenagers with special needs to integrate with young people in the
mainstream to enable a truly inclusive society. Over the last academic
year, Inclusion Saturdays were held at St Xavier’s College, Mapusa,
where teenagers with special needs were partnered with clinical
psychology students and have been interacting with each other in various
ways, viz art & craft activities, going to the canteen, gymnasium, & the
playgrounds. The students were given lectures on various disabilities
while the special teenagers too were taken around the campus &
sensitised before the launch of the programme.
An Open Day event to showcase this programme was held on 26th February
2011 at St Xavier’s College Hall. It started with a prayer song
performed by the students & the teenagers with disabilities. Elizabeth
Kurian – Joseph, Secretary- TIES gave a brief introduction about DOST,
which was followed by the reading of the report by the coordinator- Ms
Maya Prabhu. Then few students related their experiences & read out a
poem composed by themselves. Jeanette, a special teenager also spoke a
few words, after which the students & special teenagers performed a
dance . An audio- visual presentation of the activities, display of
posters, collage of photographs, art & craft items done by DOST were
part of the programme. Later the Principal of St Xavier’s College,
Mapusa spoke about various successful persons who had overcome their
disabilities & were part of the society. Avelino de Sa- President DRAG,
urged the students to carry forward the message of Inclusion & practise
the same in the community. Certificates were distributed to all
participants & the results of the poster
Thanks & regs
Elizabeth Kurian - Joseph
secretary- TIES Towards Inclusion Everywhere in Society
Mob.9822185109
Tel. 0832-2412318
E-mail: eliz...@gmail.com
Adress:
TIES
1788, Gopal Nagar,
Alto Porvorim
Goa- 403521
