Prevention of Abandonment of Children with Special Needs through Community-based Programs and Intervention

Abstract

In India, irrespective of state, region, or religion, giving birth to a mentally disabled child is usually regarded as a curse. Despite increased awareness of human rights, the superstition that a mentally disabled child is the result of the anger of gods or ancestors is widely prevalent. Sometimes such a child is viewed as an embodiment of sin in the family or of sin itself. Parents of mentally disabled children tend to feel guilty and sometimes take the blame upon them. Consequently, children with disabilities are among the most marginalized sections of society. While in the last decade and a half, there has been a growing awareness and several significant achievements in the disability sector, a large number of physically and mentally challenged persons still live in alienation and isolation. Furthermore, most of the persons with disabilities belong to the economically lower class. Years of working closely with children with special needs made the workers feel the necessity for integrating therapeutic, educational, and vocational rehabilitation methods into a Speciality Centre for Special Needs. The Speciality Centre purports not to isolate children in a special place, but to help them for their inclusive integration by availing themselves of any opportunity offered by society. It is important that these facilities be made available, particularly to the economically weaker sections of society at a subsidized rate. This paper discusses Satya Special School’s initiative in preventing abandonment of children with special needs through its various community-based projects.