---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Avinash Shahi <[email protected]> Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2013 15:06:45 +0530 Subject: Students find disabling disparities between Sweden and India,By Karsten Miranda, To: George <[email protected]> Cc: Eyeway Team Delhi <[email protected]>
MARGAO: It was only when they saw first-hand the infrastructure and facilities provided for persons with disabilities in Sweden, the disparity between the state and international standards came into sharp focus for a group of students from Chowgule college, Margao, on an exchange programme trip to the country. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-15/goa/42080624_1_chowgule-college-bus-stops-taxi-service The students were pleased to see how empowered the disabled persons in Sweden were as they are provided with facilities including special schools, disabled-friendly transport facilities, public facilities and special educators for disabled students studying in mainstream schools in addition to other facilities including summer camps and innovative concepts like short-stay homes that are offered by municipalities. Ads by Google Avanse Education Loans Loan Sanctioned In 4 Days @12.25*% Simplify with us. A DHFL initiative www.avanse.comShort-stay homes are where special children are housed for a short duration to enable their parents to concentrate on other areas, other children if any and find some time to relax. "It is very touching to see how the Swedish government is concerned about parents of these disabled children. In these short-stay homes, health care workers teach the residents basic self-care and help them to prepare to be away from their parents when they grow up," said Karen Braganza, a second-year BSC student of Chowgule college. As part of its annual cultural exchange programme, students and faculty members from Chowgule college, visited Swedish institute of Tullinge gymnasium and Sodra latin gymnasium, both high schools in Sweden. During their two week stay, the students conducted a comparative study and research on rehabilitation of disabled children and adults into the social fabric of the community. "Simply put, they are provided with the same opportunities as others," Vanessa Gonsalves, a student said. Public spaces have special washrooms designed for disabled people and even have mechanisms to carry wheelchairs across stairs where construction of ramps is not possible. At bus stops, the bus lowers its floor to the level of the pavement and forms a ramp for easy access of wheelchairs. "Periodic audio-visual announcements are displayed at bus stops, trains and trams. At every pedestrian crossing, there are audio signals which indicate to the visually impaired that it is safe to cross. A taxi service is available on request to pick or drop disabled person to their destination," said Nandkumar Sawant, vice principal, Chowgule College. Students added that that the taxi service doubles as a car pool service as well. With regard to education and growing up with a disability, Sobita Kirtani, associate professor, department of psychology, Chowgule college pointed out that a special educator is provided for the disabled in mainstream schools as well as in separate schools for children who cannot be integrated into mainstream schools. "Social communication, interaction and recreational activities such as drawing, music and dance are all part of the curriculum. We visited the culture school or 'Kulturskolan' to participate in one such dance class," said student Prachiti Chodankar. The students, who had conducted a brief study on the facilities available in Goa as other parts of India before visiting Sweden, pointed out that there is a Disability Act in both the countries, whose common aim is to allow people with disabilities to be able to participate and live freely within the society like everyone else. However In India, the disabled are mostly protected by their families and the concept of inter-dependency runs deep. In contrast to India, independence is more valued in Sweden. -- "Let’s stop "tolerating" or "accepting" difference, as if we’re so much better for not being different in the first place. Instead, let’s celebrate difference, because in this world it takes a lot of guts to be different." - Kate Bornstein Avinash Shahi Programme Executive at Score Foundation To know more,Why not visit our Website: http://www.eyeway.org/ And M.Phil Research Scholar at Centre for The Study of Law and Governance JNU. -- Avinash Shahi M.Phil Research Scholar Centre for The Study of Law and Governance Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi India Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of mobile phones / Tabs on: http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. 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