Srinagar, Dec 03 (KNO): On World Disability Day, parents of specially-abled children in Jammu and Kashmir expressed their deep frustration over the lack of specialised schools and educational facilities for their children. With no government-run special schools in the region, many parents are left struggling to provide adequate education and care for their children with special needs.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), parents said there are severe limitations imposed on children with disabilities due to the absence of accessible educational infrastructure.
Shahnaza Akhter, a mother from south Kashmir, said her son would not have been able to attend school if it weren't for the Zeba Apa School in Bijbehara, a private institution founded by Padma Shri awardee Javed Ahmad Tak.
"Had there not been this option, my son, like many others, would have been confined to home, as there are no special schools at the government level," she said.
The absence of facilities, especially at the tehsil and district levels, has left families with limited options. Other parents said that while Abhinandan Home in Srinagar provides some respite, it remains insufficient to meet the needs of the hundreds of children requiring specialised care.
Sending children to Srinagar for education places a huge financial and emotional burden on families, many of whom cannot afford to relocate or travel long distances, they said.
To alleviate this, parents have urged the government to establish special schools at the tehsil level, making them more accessible to families and reducing the strain of long-distance travel. "There must be colleges for specially-abled students at the district level to enable them to pursue higher education and gain skills necessary for self-reliance and empowerment," said a parent.
Meanwhile, Abhinandan Home Higher Secondary School, run by the Department of Social Welfare, Kashmir, marked the occasion of World Disability Day with a special event attended by prominent guests, including Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Bilal Mohi-ud-Din, Commissioner for Disabilities Iqbal Lone and Child Welfare Chairman Dr. Khairun Nisa.
The event witnessed a historic performance by deaf and dumb students who presented the national anthem in Indian sign language for the first time in Kashmir. Specially-abled students also showcased their talents in cultural programs, highlighting their creativity and skills.
DC Srinagar, who attended the event as the chief guest, distributed digital devices like tablets, smartphones, digital hearing aids, and wheelchairs to students. He announced on-the-spot admission to a vocational training program and assured college admissions for 12th-pass students with disabilities.
In recognition of their achievements, toppers from the 2023-2024 academic session were awarded trophies, while the principal and coordinator of Abhinandan Home received mementoes—(KNO)