Hathras Distributes 352 Assistive Devices To Persons With Disabilities

A total of 352 assistive devices were distributed among persons with disabilities at a programme held at the District Sports Stadium in Hathras, with officials and public representatives saying the support would make daily life easier and help beneficiaries move towards self-reliance.

The artificial limbs and assistive devices distribution programme was organised by the District Divyangjan Empowerment Department on Monday, 26 October. The programme was held under the chairpersonship of Sadar MLA and chairperson of the Joint Committee on Women and Child Development Anjula Singh Mahour.

Sikandra Rao MLA Virendra Singh Rana, Bharatiya Janata Party district president Prem Singh Kushwaha, Rashtriya Lok Dal district president Shyam Singh, District Magistrate Satya Prakash Patel, the Chief Development Officer and other officers and public representatives were present at the event.

The department said assistive devices were distributed according to the needs of persons with disabilities. The equipment listed in the programme included 140 hand-operated tricycles, 21 wheelchairs, 38 hearing devices, two blind sticks, 128 crutches, 23 MR kits and 15 motorised tricycles.

The devices are expected to help beneficiaries with mobility, daily activities and other essential tasks. The support is also intended to improve their functional abilities and help them become more self-reliant.

Addressing the beneficiaries, Sadar MLA Anjula Singh Mahour congratulated them and said assistive devices play an important role in making the lives of persons with disabilities easier. She said the devices can reduce the difficulties faced by them in their everyday lives.

Mahour said physical disability cannot be used to judge a person’s ability, talent or capacity to move forward. She referred to examples such as Surdas Ji and the renowned scientist Stephen Hawking, saying that determination, hard work and dedication can help people achieve major accomplishments.

She appealed to persons with disabilities who have not yet received assistive devices to complete their registration. She said registration would help them receive the benefits of government schemes according to their requirements.

Sikandra Rao MLA Virendra Singh Rana said providing support to persons with disabilities and improving their quality of life was the collective responsibility of society. He said disability was not a curse and every person should move ahead with confidence and self-respect.

Rana asked the officials to conduct a survey in every village of the district and prepare a list of persons with disabilities. The purpose, he said, was to ensure that no eligible person remained deprived of the benefits available under government schemes.

He also urged persons with disabilities to inform the concerned officials about any problems they face while completing registration or obtaining benefits under government schemes. This, he said, would help officials address the issues connected with access to support.

BJP district president Prem Singh Kushwaha and Rashtriya Lok Dal district president Shyam Singh said different types of assistive devices were being provided by the government to make life more convenient for persons with disabilities.

They mentioned battery-operated tricycles, hearing devices and MR kits for children with special needs, along with other equipment. They said these facilities would provide support in daily life and help persons with disabilities move towards self-reliance.

District Magistrate Satya Prakash Patel said various welfare schemes were being run to help persons with disabilities become self-reliant and secure a respectable place in society. He said eligible beneficiaries were provided assistive devices according to the type of their disability and their individual needs.

Patel said every person had their own qualities and abilities. He stressed the need to maintain respect, sensitivity and a spirit of cooperation towards persons with disabilities.

The District Magistrate also said persons with disabilities were being provided benefits under several welfare schemes, including pensions. He added that special attention was also needed for the education, care, rehabilitation and training of children with disabilities.

According to Patel, facilities such as Bachpan Day Care were being operated through the District Divyangjan Empowerment Department. These facilities provide care, education and training to young children according to their needs.

He further said that if the need to establish a special school for children with disabilities emerged in the district, efforts would be made at the government level with the support of public representatives.

District Divyangjan Empowerment Officer Vishal Kumar said the purpose of distributing assistive devices was to make the daily lives of persons with disabilities easier, improve their functional abilities and empower them.

Kumar said the MR kits would support children with special needs in their education and study-related activities. The kits were included among the equipment distributed during the programme.

The Chief Development Officer said a survey had been conducted in July last year, after which assistive devices were distributed to around 400 beneficiaries in December. In continuation of that effort, equipment was also provided to approximately 400 beneficiaries in June this year.

The Chief Development Officer said the initiative to provide assistance to persons with disabilities was being taken forward continuously. The officer also expressed gratitude to the public representatives, officials and other people present at the programme.

During the event, the public representatives and officers present on the stage were welcomed with bouquets and by placing scarves around them. The District Development Officer, Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue), District Sports Officer and officials and employees of the concerned departments were also present.