By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, JUNE 9: The Khasi-Jaintia Presbyterian Synod Sepngi is proposing to introduce ‘Braille Bible’ for the visually impaired besides directing all its churches to construct ramps to ensure conveniences of persons with disabilities (PwDs).
“We have move a proposal to the Bible Society for considering the need to come up with the Braile Bible,” KJP Synod Sepngi Social and Economic Life Development (SELD) department director Rev SC Diengngan said.
Addressing a press conference to announce holding of the 7th Shillong Run under the theme – ‘Run with Different Abilities’ here on Friday, Diengngan said the Synod has also asked all the churches to ensure they have ramp facility.
He also informed that the Synod is also considering observing a special Sunday for the persons with disabilities adding these are some of the initiatives taken up to create awareness.
The department executive secretary Rev KB Snaitang said the objective of organizing the Shillong Run, which will be held at Polo on June 17, is to raise fund for the three projects meant for the welfare of the PwDs.
The Shillong Run, which was first started way back in 2011, also aims at sensitizing the people about disabilities and important of mainstreaming persons with disabilities in the society.
He said the three projects include – Mairang Vidyajyoti Inclusive School, Sangshong, Mairang and Community Based Rehabilitation Programe, Mairang in West Khasi Hills District and Rev Amirkha School for Disabled, Mawlai in East Khasi Hills District.
The Mairang Vidyajyoti Inclusive School, which was established in 2008 with only 3 students, is now catering to education needs of over 237 students out of which 36 are children with special needs.
The Community Based Rehabilitation Programe, which was started in 2009 and covering 30 villages under Mairang Block, is presently having 209 beneficiaries and 16 Disabled People Organizations.
The programme, which aims at empowering people with disabilities works among PwDs under six areas – staffing and management, need assessment, education, health, social, livelihoods and advocacy and empowerment.
On the other hand, the Rev Amirkha School for Disabled, Mawlai was established in 2012 to provide opportunities for children with disabilities as well as adults to avail to formal and non-formal educational services and vocational training.
Asked, Rev Snaitang said that these initiatives have been successful because of the funds raised through the annual Shillong Run.
About Rs 9 lakh to Rs 11 lakh was raised every year from collection of registration fees for the Run and donations, he said adding the funds are utilized for meeting the requirements of the projects which include development of infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Synod also released the T-shirts for the Shillong Run, which will kick start from Parking lot, Polo at 6.30 am. It will have three categories – junior, senior (registration fee – Rs 100 for students and Rs 200 for others) and PwDs.
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