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Members of Tabitha Enabling Academy sing a song during the programme at Alder College on Friday.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 15 (EMN): Cure is not possible for special children but the only cure is inclusion and acceptance from the society, said Vekutilu Vese, co-proprietor of Tabitha Enabling Academy (TEA) said while addressing a gathering of TEA and Alder College members at Dr. Setu Memorial Hall, Alder College, Friday on the theme “Smile, Sparkle, Shine.”
The programme was part of the initiative in which Alder College, Kohima, has adopted the Tabitha Enabling Academy last year to provide financial assistance and volunteers to the academy. TEA came into existence in the year 2012 with the aim to reach out to the differently-abled children with special needs and create awareness on the need to care for and respect children.
Vekutilu Vese, while speaking about her school, said there has been lots of misconception in the society about these special children in which their rights and opportunity are being denied. Many of them are confined behind the close door, while many parent even denied that the children need special care, stated Vese.
However, with more awareness among the people, she said more people are coming to terms. She said that special children in remote areas were deprived of facilities as they lack resources and cannot afford to come to Kohima or Dimapur for them to learn in those schools. She hoped to make the academy into residential school one day.
While appealing to refrain from making fun of the special children, she asked them to create awareness among the people to enable them live a normal life.
Kevi Liegise, chairman of Alder College, remarked that our problems are meaningless when we see these special children who are happy. There is so much of talent hidden in them, they just need a little push or help from our side, he added.
TEA is focused mainly on children between the age of 2-15 years and worked with children who have variety of disabilities, using modified curriculum, meeting the needs of each children depending on their disability. It also imparts Individualized Education Programme (EEP)
Besides the regular classroom education, TEA offers home based education, music therapy, sign language, physiotherapy, daily living skills, art and crafts etc with an aim to let the special needs children lead an independent life.