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| Sunday, 24 October 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Looking beyond their disabilities by Ranga Kamaladasa The able and the differently-abled... in a world geared to cater to the
able, simply surviving is a monumental struggle for the differently-abled.
Sidelined from mainstream society, often ignored and sometimes jeered at,
they have to try extra harder to accomplish the simple tasks that the able
take for granted. Climbing the staircase, playing a game of cricket,
writing a simple word, s And nowhere is this more evident than at the Chitra Lane School for the Special Child and the Children's Resource Centre, where grooming the intellectually impaired to become part of mainstream society has been both an ongoing struggle and a laudable achievement. In operation since 1967, the School has provided succour to more than 10,000 differently-abled individuals around the country. At present it caters to 267 intellectually impaired in the age group 6 to 22, who are also given vocational training, preparing them to become contributing members of mainstream society. The older students are also given the option of working at the Sheltered Workshop in Dehiwala after they leave school, ensuring a sustainable income as adults. "The most important thing for these children is acceptance. If they go outside they get ill-treated," says Sureni Jayaweera, co-ordinator for public awareness of the Chitra Lane School. "Many people look down at them as if they can't do anything. The fact is they can do something even if it is only within their own capabilities. We must accept that. Society as a whole must accept that." She points out that there are children who can actually do grade 10 math questions and yet are unable to write their own names properly. It is essential, she says, that these children be given the proper coaching for the situation, so that they will learn to do something of their own, society will also benefit from this greatly. The effectiveness of this approach is evidenced in the Schools' most current project - a unique art exhibition poignantly titled 'Busy Hands and Feet' scheduled for October 29, 30 and 31 at the National Art Gallery. The exhibition is the culmination of the children's creative abilities and vocational skills and is aimed at providing due recognition and encouragement to the young artists who's talents and abilities are generally overshadowed by their disabilities. According to Sureni, each child has contributed to the exhibition in whichever way possible to him/her. "Some children whose impairment are more severe and cannot contribute by drawing, painting or producing craft items, have helped out by making patterns with their hand and feet to add to the colourful deco," she says. On display at the exhibition will be a range of handicraft items from intricate cross-stitch tapestries to trays, height charts and stools, colourfully designed items of handmade recycled paper, printed stationery, made by the various specialised units including Sewing, Wood Work and Screen Printing. The Housekeeping and Cookery units are also contributing their might with a range of chutneys and preserves, which according to Sureni, are prepared to a special recipe. "The students have managed to surprise everyone with their enthusiasm and keenness," says Sureni. Many of the children were busy getting ready for the exhibition when the Sunday Observer visited the School early this week. Some were busy sewing and drawing while the others were getting ready for a rehearsal for the opening ceremony. Some were even making their own potato toffees. Concentrating on what they were doing, the students were a picture of determination, focused on their task at hand and intent on doing better than their best for the exhibition. But it wasn't just work. The bright smiles and the happy laughter also indicated that hard work was fun and they enjoyed whatever they were doing. Jayantha who was fully absorbed in his painting was thrilled with his work. "I like drawing," he says, adding "I like to do many things. But being an artist is fun." Not all of us, considered 'able' or 'normal' can fully enjoy the moment and cherish what we're doing, as Jayantha does with his creating. In his innocent smile is the contentment of one who is happy with what he has been able to achieve, even though in the 'able' world it wouldn't amount to much. And it isn't just Jayantha. The joy of accomplishment is happily plastered in every child's face, be it the simple task of splattering some paint on paper, drawing a wobbly circle, cutting a pattern, or something far more involved like transforming waste paper into beautifully designed stationery. The girls at the sewing department were exceptional on this account. They had sewed pillows, bathsheets, napkins, keytags and many more items with wonderful designs, which are even challenging for the average designer. Laksha, Inoka, Nilanthi, Nauka and Nadila were a little small to express their own views, but the enthusiastic presentation of their work and their beaming faces made it obvious that they enjoyed and treasured every single project they were doing. The Chitra Lane School provides both individual and group schooling, with individual classes for those who have severe learning disabilities. The school has three levels of training - junior, intermediate and senior, with the former two segments focusing on basic skills such as language and problem-solving along with extra-curricular activities such as scouting and sports. The senior classes provide vocational training such as printing, making recycled paper, carpentry, cookery, and sewing, ensuring that once the students graduate they are fully capable of doing something of their own and being integrated into society. The special students come from various ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Classes are conducted in both Sinhala and Tamil medium so that language will not become a barrier. A student sponsorship scheme has also been initiated to facilitate families with financial difficulties. Special programs for parents are also conducted, which includes counselling and parent educational programs. "The teachers are recruited on a voluntary basis at first," explains Sureni, who adds that after they are trained the teachers are made permanent members of the staff. "This ensures that the staff who join the school really have a keen interest in helping the children. Most of them bring a changing suit with them and sometimes they themselves clean up if ever a child has an accident." The school also has a Hearing Speech & Language Unit, Physiotherapy Unit as well as an Infant Stimulation Program, which makes early detection and intervention, essential for the future wellbeing of the differently-abled. 'Busy Hands and Feet' is a showcasing of what the differently-abled can do, when their limitations have been identified, their abilities fine tuned and their enthusiasm is given a free rein. The exhibition, which opens from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm on all three days, is also an ideal opportunity for the 'able' to look beyond the disabilities of the less able, share the joys of their achievements and accept them as valuable members of mainstream society. |
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| Produced by Lake House |
peaking a whole sentence... Every step forward is
a major milestone. Every accomplishment is a battle won against their
disabilities and societal prejudices.
