Efforts on to empower differently-abled persons

Chintur (East Godavari): The government is making efforts to bring differently-abled persons into the mainstream by implementing welfare schemes so as to improve their living standards and provide facilities, Assistant Project Officer, ITDA, Rampachodavaram, G Chinna Babu, has said.Addressing an awareness camp on Sadarem camps at Chintur on Wednesday, Chinna Babu said that Sadarem camps for VR Puram and Koonavaram were reorganised at Koonavaram, while a camp was organised in Chinuru for Chintur and Nellipaka mandals.

He said differently-abled persons who pursued higher studies were showing extraordinary talent. The government was taking steps to prevent disabilities which are occurring because of factors such as not taking vaccine on time, accidents and consumption of fluoride-contaminated water. Efforts were also being made to instil self-confidence in these persons, he said. The government was providing three per cent reservations for differently-abled persons, he said. The ITDA and the district administration were organising Sadarem camps for those who were not able to get benefits from the government. He further said wheelchairs, hearing aids and walking sticks were distributed to persons possessing confirmation certificates.

He said applications were received from more than 1,000 differently-abled persons in Sadarem camps, including 600 physically challenged, 120 mentally challenged, 110 visually challenged and 150 dumb persons, and tests were conducted to confirm the percentage of disability. Certificates would be given to them soon and they could get benefits from the government. He said 15 tri-cycles, eight hearing aids and nine artificial limbs were distributed in Chintur.