Date:15/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/15/stories/2008011552150200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Training programme launched

Staff Reporter

Early intervention centres in 30 districts soon
State grant of Rs.1.58 crore for the centres

CHENNAI: A training programme for representatives of various non-governmental organisations to enable them set up early intervention centres and homes for the mentally retarded persons was launched recently.

Inaugurating the programme, organised by the Office of the State Commissioner for the Disabled, Social Welfare minister Poongothai Aladi Aruna said early intervention centres would be set up in 30 districts to identify mental retardation among children at an early stage. Non-governmental organisations would run such centres to identify and train mentally challenged infants and children aged below six years. The State government had sanctioned Rs.1.58 crore for the centres to train about 50 children. She urged the NGO representatives to create awareness among the parents of early detection of mental retardation and special education.

Ms. Poongothai later unveiled campaign boards to spread awareness of the detection of hearing impairment and mental retardation among children. State Commissioner for the Disabled V.K. Jeyakodi said 80 boards would be put up in public places in every district.