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- 21 November 2009
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TLDF 2007
If I can't learn the way you teach me,
Teach me the way I learn…
-Dr. Darmishta Mehta
The TLDF 2007 – the second annual Tata Interactive Learning Disability Forum – was held in November at the Grand Hyatt, Mumbai. The event was inaugurated by Tata Interactive Systems’ CEO, Sanjaya Sharma who spoke about the progress of LD awareness and Tata Industries’ MD, Kishor Chaukar who lauded the initiative, quoting the Tata philosophy – “If a business has to exist, society must prosper and for society to prosper, business must contribute.”
Leveraging the awareness brought about by the TLDF 2006, the 2007 forum took a step forward by encouraging the community to come together and create an environment of early detection and remediation of learning disabled students. This message was also promoted by a short clay animation film that was created by TIS employees and screened at the event.
JC Mistry, Centre Head – TIS Mumbai has been spearheading the LD initiatives at TIS and was proud to share information on the increased awareness and knowledge about LD in India. He was delighted to also share success stories of partnerships with several schools and his hopes of taking the TLDF to more geographies as well.
Elaborating on the success of the initiatives this year, the TLDF and volunteering teams across the city have touched the lives of around 925 students who have received LD certification and 225 schools have registered for the certification program, with 3300 students and 480 schools in all.
The TLDF 2007 brought together both national and international speakers who gave valuable inputs in varied aspects of LD with topics ranging from the definition of LD, common misconceptions, solutions and remedies, and working together for their benefit. Each of the sessions were followed by an open forum of questions and answers which helped air out grievances and encourage knowledge-sharing.
Dr. Madhuri Kulkarni clarified several common misconceptions about LD and emphasised the need for early diagnosis, which leads to early acceptance and interventions, helping the children with learning disabilities better adapt to the mainstream. The role of the school was highlighted as a key feature in the multi-disciplinary approach for remediation. Dr. Kulkarni also stressed on the importance of an expert team assisting in the process of referral and early intervention. She emphasised the roles of counsellors, schoolteachers, paediatricians, paediatric neurologists, psychologists etc., in the entire process. She also brought to light the need for more trained remedial teachers, counsellors, government support and the introduction of LD in the teacher’s training curriculum.
Ms. Basanti Roy, Divisional Secretary – Maharashtra State Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education, Mumbai Division was also present at the forum. She explained the guidelines and provisions taken by the government for LD students; these include extra time during exams, exemption from certain subjects, overlooking spelling errors and if required, the provision of a writer for the exams.
Several schools across Maharashtra have received circulars and been invited to attend sensitisation workshops for both principals and teachers to help them deal better with LD students in their classes. Ms. Roy also mentioned that a component of LD has been added in the ‘Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan’ for creating more awareness. She also expressed concern on the limitations of having a certification centre only at Sion Hospital. She brought up the necessity of conducting tests in vernacular languages as well.
Some of the other speakers at the forum included:
Lorraine Petersen, CEO of nasen, UK made a presentation on multi-disciplinary approaches to LD.
Vijaya Vaithilingam, Vice Principal of Father Agnel School at Vashi spoke on how LD can be detected in classrooms.
Ms Savita principal of the Bombay Cambridge School gave a talk on the principles of inclusive education for learning disabilities.
Dr Kersi Chavda, consultant child psychiatrist, Hinduja Hospital, spoke and enlightened the audience on the social and emotional aspects in the learning disabled.
Special educator Rukhshana Sholapurwala of the Maharashtra Dyslexia Association, highlighted the role of a special educator. This, she said, includes undertaking individual assessment, preparing an individual education program, working as a team with significant others like teachers, parents, along with monitoring the progress, and giving praise and encouragement.
Polly Bayrd, consultant LD Clinic, Minnesota, USA, spoke about research-based instruction in reading for mainstream and LD students.
The forum also highlighted the success stories of people who have overcome learning difficulties and succeeded in life. An LD student who now owns a film production business and a parent whose LD daughter has succeeded despite an LD certification were asked to share their stories with the forum.
The forum ended on a positive note leaving the participants hopeful and inspired to enhance their efforts in creating a positive environment and enabling children with learning disabilities to lead a life of dignity and respect.
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Ms
Basanti Roy Divisional Secretary, Maharashtra State Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education, Mumbai Division |
To
know more about government policies on learning disabilities,
visit: http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/ |
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