A city-based NGO today launched a centre for mentally retarded children supported by the Centre's Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, with enrolment of 25 children up to six years of age.
The centre will run a programme, called Disha, aimed at providing early intervention and school-readiness scheme to children with cerebral palsy, mental retardation, autism and multiple disability.
"We have launched the centre today with strength of 25 children who are up to six years of age and are from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. We will provide them therapy and necessary trainings so they can support family members," Blind People's Association executive secretary Bhushan Punani said.
Such centres will be run by NGOs which have expertise in dealing with the subject of mental illness, with National Trust (NT) of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment funding for setting up centre and recurring costs, and guiding it, NT's accounts officer Rajesh Sachdeva said.
"The children will be trained, rehabilitated and will be given vocational training so they can support their family. There are other such centres in the state and across India, which can be operated by any NGOs registered with the NT," he said.
Blind People's Association works for differently-abled persons and helps them by providing education, employment opportunities, rights and quality life.
