Organized sports meet for children with disabilities under six years; para-swimmer Jiah Rai inaugurated the meet with
this year’s theme: “Promoting Leadership of People with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future”
Mumbai, December 3, 2024
Ali Yawar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan) [AYJNISHD(D)] under the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment celebrated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities with various empowerment programmes. In these programs, remarkable achievements of differently abled people were highlighted.AYJNISHD (D) organized a sports meet for children with disabilities under the age of six, with this year’s theme as “Promoting Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future”. The aim of the program was to nurture talent and promote inclusiveness from a young age.
The event was inaugurated by Jia Rai, a 16-year-old girl with autism (autism spectrum disorder), who is famous for being the youngest and fastest para-swimmer to cross the English Channel. Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind (SEDB) Director Jamir Dhale and MLA Adv. Ashish Shelar was present as the guest of honor to support the initiative.In his speech Adv. Ashish Shelar emphasized on the importance of identifying and harnessing the potential of persons with disabilities in line with the Prime Minister’s concept of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”. He appreciated the dedication of AYJNISHD (D) for the empowerment of the society and praised Jameer Dhale for his progressive work towards skill development for the deaf-blind.
An ‘Inclusive Walkathon’ was organized in the event in which more than 150 people including persons with disabilities, staff, students, families and community members participated. The walkathon, which started at AYJNISHD (D) and proceeded towards Hill Road, Bandra West, raised awareness about accessibility and inclusiveness. Apart from this, the students presented an interesting street play ‘Nukkad Natak’ at Bandra Paschim Police Station to highlight the importance of learning Indian Sign Language for empowerment.
