Disability rehabilitation services win award for Madurai

Ultimately, the work undertaken for rehabilitating the differently-abled persons by Madurai district administration paid off when the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities functioning under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, New Delhi, recognised the comprehensive services done for differently-abled persons at the district and village level in Madurai district.

It is said that the Collector would receive the award from President Ram Nath Kovind, at a function that would be held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.

Veera Raghav Rao, who was on cloud nine after the announcement of the award, said that the district rehabilitation services include awareness generation, survey, identification, early intervention and counselling for the differently-abled.

Works such as assessment of need of assistive devices, fitting them and repairing in case of malfunctioning are also carried out effectively. Therapeutic services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, referral and arrangement for surgical correction had also been taken up effectively by the district administration.

During the public grievance day, on Mondays, special arrangements of separate hall and providing noon meal are also carried out effectively. Similarly, the district administration had been effective in providing differently-abled certificates, bus passes and arranging bank loans for them.

“Madurai district administration had been taking effective steps in promoting barrier-free environment for differently-abled persons”, claimed Veera Raghava Rao.

The award by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities is the third award for Madurai district in less than two years.

The first award was given in connection with Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) activities during the 2016 assembly election and the second award was given under Swachh Bharat Scheme for maintaining cleanliness in and around Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple. Both the previous awards were received by the Collector Veera Raghav Rao.