Mangaluru : A two days national seminar on “Current trends in issues related to speech and hearing disability” was organised by the College of Speech and Hearing on August 30 and 31. The formal inauguration was held on August 30.
Rev. Fr. Richard Aloysius Coelho presided over the programme. Prof. Akhilesh P M welcomed the dignitaries and the entire assembly gathered for the inaugural as well as the delegates came to attend the seminar. The seminar was inaugurated by lighting of the lamp.
The Chief Guest for the seminar was Prof. A M Khan, Registrar (Evaluation), Mangalore University, who addressed the gathering based on the use of current technology in diagnosis and treatment of persons with speech and hearing problems, ways to reach out to people with lower economic status and spreading awareness regarding the problems related to communication issues.
The Guest of Honor Prof. A K Sinha, highlighted on the use of technology starting from the use of high technology enabled hearing aids, use of a well-advanced technology based early identification system and tele audiometry and tele speech therapy services already existing in Mysuru and Mumbai. He also emphasised the use and accessibility of cochlear implantation and how it was becoming a boon to children born deaf and are able use speech and language as a mode of communication.
The President of the function Rev. Fr. Richard A Coelho stressed on how the word disabled is slowly replaced as differently-abled. He emphasised the need of compassion in taking care of these differently- abled and with empathy, they needed to be rehabilitated. He also said that these differently-abled were gifted by God in certain faculties in which they excel or were having extraordinary knowledge and skill.
“Today Speech and Hearing field is getting more and more popular and government also has number of schemes and projects for such people to rehabilitate them. We have a number of such people-men and women-who have brightened their future inspite of all challenges and hurdles. For students of Speech and Hearing, a wide scope and opportunity is available to take it as a mission in their life”, he said.
Organising Secretary Sr. Cynthia thanked the dignitaries and the entire gathering for their presence and cooperation.
Sessions on estimation of disability, ADIP scheme and Overview of ICF in the field of speech and hearing were held throughout the day.
The second day commenced with the first session on disability act by Dr. Rajasudhakar. After that a brief inauguration of the joint programme organised by Fr. Muller College of Speech and Hearing and CBHI, “WHO-International classification of functioning, Disability and Health” was held. The need for universal coding and classification of disability was emphasised by the Chief Guest N Suseendra Babu. The President of the programme Rev. Fr. Richard A. Coelho said that such statistics of diseases and disabilities would help to form guidelines for coding and also for the eradication of such diseases and disabilities.
The talks on disability acts by Dr. Rajasudhakar and deliberations on ICF by Dr. E Aravind continued.
A formal valedictory programme was held at the end of session at 4.30 pm. Delegates expressed their appreciation and gratitude for conducting such a valuable and innovative seminar. Prof. Akhilesh P M, the organising chairman concluded the programme by thanking the delegates and wising them well.
