Itanagar, Feb 14: The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR), led by Ratan Anya, held a meeting on Friday with parents and guardians of children with special needs (CWSN) to discuss the critical issues affecting them in the state.
During the meeting, parents raised concerns about the lack of basic provisions for the health and education of CWSN.
A major issue highlighted was the absence of a dedicated school or a Composite Regional Centre for skill development, rehabilitation, and employment for persons with disabilities. The only government-aided school for children with hearing and visual impairments, the Donyi Polo Mission School in Itanagar, has limited capacity and caters to only two categories of disability.
Additionally, private rehabilitation centers in the state capital, which provide therapies for CWSN, are not supported by the government and are highly expensive, making them inaccessible to poorer families.
There is also a significant gap in public awareness about CWSN. Educational institutions and the general public often lack knowledge about these children’s needs, leading to stigmatization and discrimination.
The Commission emphasised that more awareness is needed to promote inclusive education and better understanding among students, teachers, and school staff.
Another concern raised was the growing number of children affected by developmental delays, especially in the aftermath of COVID-19, which has led to an increase in conditions resembling autism.
However, due to the lack of developmental pediatricians in the state, many of these conditions go undiagnosed for extended periods, further delaying the necessary interventions and support.
The meeting also revealed confusion surrounding the guidelines for therapy centers, with no clear regulations in place for their functioning or business allocation. The lack of proper oversight increases the risk of compromised quality of services provided to CWSN.
The APSCPCR urged the health & family welfare department to conduct detailed research on developmental delays and other related issues to understand the extent of the problem.
The Commission also called for a more aggressive awareness campaign regarding inclusive educational institutions to sensitize the public and educators on how to better support CWSN.
The APSCPCR indicated that it would soon hold discussions with the state government and relevant departments to address these issues and ensure that appropriate measures are taken to improve the situation for children with special needs in the state.
The meeting was attended by APSCPCR members Niri Chongrowju, Ngurang Achung, Honluk Lukham, Miti Libang, Taba Champa Riba, Khoda Rakhi, Member Secretary of the Commission, and the parents and guardians of CWSN.