India of 1972 had no schools for children with cerebral palsy or multiple disability. In fact it wasn’t even included in the Government’s Ministry of Welfare’s classification. It was as if these children were invisible and forgotten. To start the much-needed process of change, the Spastics Society of India (SSI) was established by Dr. Mithu Alur. It is now called Able Disabled All People Together (ADAPT). The goal was to ensure that children with multiple disability had access to education, to establish a model which would lead holistic development through inter or trans disciplinary rapport. Child specific programs called Individual Education Programme were developed and today we stand proud of our numerous successes. 

Outcomes 

  • With simple modifications in class, we demonstrated that children with disabilities could be educated. Children excelled in academics with the help of concessions granted by the state board of Maharashtra. These concessions were then permitted by most of the examination boards across the country as well as by universities. 
  • Diagnosis as early as one month began with the mother. Holistic programmes, combining education and treatment were demonstrated under one roof. Early infant clinics, where high risk babies were assessed, helped to create awareness that children with CP must have early detection and continuous management. 
  • This kind of holistic treatment where doctors, paramedics, special educators, social workers and psychologists worked together with parents took root and began to show results. Regular and continuous treatment trained the child to be independent. 
  • SSI made a technical contribution, providing a very strong base for children, youth with CP and other physical disabilities. 
  • A major achievement of SSI was that neurological disability and CP, which had previously not been recognized amongst the government’s classifications, was recognized as one of the 11 official classifications accepted by the Government of India’s ministry of social justice and empowerment.

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