This mail comes to u from TIES, a parent support group of children with disabilities...PFA- photo as well as report. Thanks & regs, Elizabeth Kurian, Secretary- TIES. 9822185109
PRESS RELEASE EN"ABLING" 10 YEARS OF INCLUSION IN GOA On the 7 th of December 2013, TIES- (Towards Inclusion Everywhere in Society), a parent support group of children with disabilities in association with the Holy Cross High School, Bastora celebrated the 10 th anniversary of the Life Skills resource Room- the first of its kind classroom in Goa which is based on the concept of inclusive education. After 11 schools had rejected the special educator's - Ms Giselle Lobo's idea to start a resource room, it was Holy Cross High School that opened its doors in 2003. Later schools like Chubby Cheeks High School, Porvorim, Lourdes Convent High School, Saligao and Holy Cross School, Siolim followed and did open such classrooms where children with disabilities are educated along with regular children. On this occasion the annual Inclusion Day was held at the school with the chief guest being Mr. Rohan Khaunte- MLA of Porvorim. Mr. Khaunte had raised a question in the Goa Assembly earlier this year regarding facilities for children with special needs and later along with a team of professionals had submitted a proposal for the same to the CM, Mr Parrikar. He was impressed by the work done by TIES and promised every possible help to better the lives of the children and their families, since he is committed to this cause. This unique event was held for the seventh time where children with disabilities are partnered with a regular child and together participated in various activities such as games, art & craft activities and a music & dance session. The participants included 50 children with special needs from the 4 resource rooms (which are functioning in regular mainstream schools of Goa) with another 50 children from Holy Cross High School, Bastora. The students from the B. Ed course of Special Education from Nirmala Institute were the volunteers for this programme, thus enabling them to get an hands-on experience of working with such children. A souvenir was released to commemorate this event and there was an exhibition of the works done by the 4 participating resource rooms too. The highlight of the exhibition was a large mural of artwork - 10 feet x 6 feet done by the students of the 4 resource rooms along with the regular students of the 4 schools. To celebrate the success of inclusion the slogan this year was, "Inclusion Works.. We made it happen", well enacted by the songs & dances, again performed by the children together. Meanwhile, there was a get- together for parents and an audio- visual presentation showcasing the journey of 10 years of inclusion as well as the activities done by TIES and the resource rooms. The event was well attended by various NGOs working in the field of disability as well as local personalities of the village.
