Chennai, Feb 1 (FN Bureau) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar on Friday evening said time has come to utilise AI and other assisted technologies to help differently-abled people and those with Multiple Disabilities. Speaking at the 3rd National Conference of the Deaf-Blind on Advocacy and Employment at the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (Divyangjan), at suburban Muttukadu on the ECR here, he said the time has come to utilise AI and other assisted technology to help a valuable resource i.e, where in the differently-abled could optimally perform. Mr Dhankar said the objective of inclusive government and Viksit bharat is not possible without the participation of differently-abled. Observing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was committed in mission mode to improve the quality of lives of the differently-abled, Mr Dhankar said several policies and programmes have been implemented in the last ten years to exploit the potential and talent of differently-abled and to realise their dreams. The Vice President said the human spirit of the differently-abled cannot be tamed as they overcome daunting situations and emerge victorious.
“This daunting spirit was exemplified by the performance of the Indian Para Olympic athletes in the Para Olympics where they won a record number of medals”, he added. He said society needs to be sensitive to the needs of the differently-abled and ensure they are not isolated in the community. Later, the Vice President gave away assisted devices and appliance to persons with Disabilities. Earlier, he planted tree saplings under the theme “EdPed Maa ke Naam” as a symbol of ‘Mother Earth’ at the NIEPMD (Divyangjan) camp and interacted with Divyangjan children. Dr Sudesh Dhankar, Second Lady of India, felicitated Dr Nachiketa Rout, Director, NIEPMD. The conference brought together Deafblind adults on the same platform for effective interaction on deadblind community employment opportunities and learning on self-advocacy. A press release said NIEPMD was an autonomous body under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, which aims to serve people with Multiple disabilities by providing rehabilitation services to improve their quality of lives and encourage inclusion through family-centric approach therapautic techniques. The goal is to provide equal opportunities to empower the lives of people with Disabilities, thriving in society.