The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad today inaugurated a daylong Workshop on use of modern technological interventions in developing and manufacturing prosthetic aids for physically challenged people. The workshop was organised by Voluntary Medicare Society, J&K in Collaboration with IIT Madras at Bemina here to disseminate the skills required for Assessment, Prescription, Fitting of Wheelchairs and Training of Users.The DC who was the Chief Guest on the occasion in his address said that people with physical or mental disabilities are blessed with special abilities due to which such people have proved their mettle in every walk of life besides in the Sports field at national and international level competitions.He lauded the efforts of VMS for organising such an awareness programme and mitigating the sufferings of the people with disabilities.He stressed on introducing the latest and innovative technology for the rehabilitation of differently abled persons. He said the objective of organizing such events is to encourage social inclusion with equal opportunities for persons with or without disability in order to endorse the fabric of social integration.
The DC also congratulated the IIT Madras for designing and developing innovative Arise Standing Wheelchairs. He emphasised on adopting modern technology to develop prosthetics and other equipment and providing durable, sophisticated and modern standard aids to specially abled persons thus reducing the effects of disabilities and at the same time enhancing their economic potential.On the occasion, the DC distributed Wheel chairs designed and developed by IIT Madras among the beneficiaries.During the workshop, a demonstration highlighting the features of Arise Standing WheelChair was also held. The demonstrators informed that the Arise is a manual wheelchair with an inbuilt feature that allows the user to independently rise to a standing position.A majority of users of conventional wheelchairs lack control over their lower limb musculature and require considerable effort, assistance and/or aids to get to a standing position. The ability to attain and maintain a standing position is greatly beneficial to the health, self-esteem and sense of wellbeing of a wheelchair user.The workshop was attended by healthcare professionals including Doctors, Physiotherapists and wheelchair bound persons.Later, Dr Mir Mohammad Maqbool, noted ENT specialist and founder president of VMS, thanked the participants and presented the vote of thanks.