In a major step towards inclusive schooling, the Delhi government has opened 10 new resource centers focused on supporting children with disabilities and special needs. These centers will offer holistic therapeutic and educational services so that all the children get the support they need to excel at school and in society.
Comprehensive Support Services
Each centre is such that it can serve as an integrated service hub, providing various therapies and support services. The infrastructure comprises:
Physiotherapy: Tackling physical development and mobility issues.
Occupational Therapy: Helping children acquire skills for daily life and school activities.
Speech Therapy: Facilitating the development of communication and speech-related disorders.
Counselling: Tackling psychological counselling to assist children in dealing with emotional and social problems.
Also, the centers are equipped with virtual reality stations and sensory rooms to assist in sensory integration and interaction.
Operational Details
The centres function six days a week, from 9 am to 5 pm, being accessible even during school holidays. Every therapy session is 45 minutes in duration, with the ability to perform up to eight sessions a day across all centres. Each centre is manned by a team of six professionals comprising a speech therapist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, and behavioural counsellor on an outsourced basis.
Safety and Monitoring
For the purpose of ensuring a secure and transparent environment, all centres have CCTV cameras installed. This will help ensure the safety of the children and serve as a means of monitoring and accountability.
Impact and Reach
These new facilities will be able to serve more than 12,500 disabled children in Delhi government schools. The project is one of the Delhi government’s initiatives aimed at inclusive education and not leaving a single child behind because of untreated medical or social issues.
Conclusion
The opening of these centres is a turning point in the efforts of Delhi to make education inclusive. Combining medical, educational, and counselling facilities under one umbrella, the government is making a tangible attempt to empower children with disabilities, offering them the facilities and support they need to live meaningful lives.
