Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Coronavirus-news
  • Kerala’s work from home initiative for parents of disabled kids gets mixed response

Kerala’s work from home initiative for parents of disabled kids gets mixed response

online class for children
Coronavirus-news June 17, 2020
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
0

The Kerala government is all set to allow parents of disabled children to take leaves or work from home till special schools in the state re-open. With online classes beginning for disabled children, most of them find it difficult to attend it without support of parents. This latest initiative from the state government is a much needed one, but has received mixed reactions from parents and support groups. According to them, there are many who works with private companies and other sectors. There is an urgent need to look at the larger frame to help disabled students and parents.

Online classes for children from across Kerala began on 1 June. But for children with disabilities, most schools are yet to begin classes. ‘Samagra Shiksha Kerala’ had started the ‘White Board’ online classes for over 87,000 disabled students on 15 June, but is yet to fully take off. One of the biggest challenges to start online classes for disabled students are lack of presence of parents while taking classes. The Kerala government is now all set to provide exclusive facilities for working parents of disabled children. They take either take leaves till schools open or will be given option to ‘Work From Home’ (WFH). This latest initiative has been welcomed by parents. But they also point out that there is much more to be considered and looked into at this point.

A much needed initiative

Due to the lockdown, schools for disabled children have been shut down from last March across Kerala. Teachers are unable to go ahead with lessons since parents are not always around the child. Children with physical and other intellectual disabilities need the support and help of their parents to attend online classes. Most of them are unaware on how to use a mobile or laptop.

There are over 327 unaided schools in the state. Most of them have not yet begun classes. Last Thursday, a meeting was held with officials who have given a go ahead for online classes without delay. In the wake of this, parents have also demanded that they must reach out to their children during this time. The latest initiative supports parents of children with disabilities who work for the state government sector only. With an uncertainity prevailing on when schools will re-open, such measures are inevitable.

Reportedly, most parents are taking leaves to stay with their children who are unable to manage on their own. This clearly affects their work. The government is most probably going to allow either parents, in certain circumstances, or one parent to stay at home and work. Parents demand that this initiative must be implemented in prvivate and other sectors too.

Experts & parents speak

Seema Lal, Co-founder, TogetherWeCan, a parent support group from Kerala states that struggles of parents with disabled kids have always been much more.

“This is indeed a great relief for those parents who fit into this category. But doesn’t this leave out those working on daily wages along with children and parents who are struggling to comprehend anything via online? Moreover, parents who work have always found it a struggle to support their children who need it extensively. It applies to those parents whose children goes to special schools or not”, says Seema.

Suchita Narayan, who is a parent of a disabled person is someone who supports other parents and is actively involved in the disability space. “To begin with, this is a great initiative. But there is a bigger picture that needs to be looked into. What about those who work in private sectors? What about doctors, health care workers, nurses and even cleaners who work for government but has to be in the forefront now? This latest initiative only gives relief to a small group”, she says.

Kanni, who has a son with autism, says that the initiative is a good start. Kanni is a working mother too.

“Children are alone at home most of the days now. Without support of mother or one of the parent, they cannot engage in any activities including attending online classes. Some kids are hyperactive and need the mother to be with them. Most of the places and even therapy centers are not open now due to lockdown which adds to the woes of the child and parent. So any initiative taken to ensure that parents can stay at home is indeed welcome”, she says.

Also Read:

  • Kerala NGO demands formation of medical board & issuance of disability certificates post lockdown

Watch in Sign Language

0

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Multiple Sclerosis does not affect Anjali's love for Cooking

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Employment,Independent Living
    My journey from a hearing impaired individual to a Social Changemaker
  • Accessibility,Independent Living
    Affordable and Independent Mobility for Persons with Disabilities still a distant hope in India (series 1 of 3)
  • Accessibility
    Prof Stephen Hawking is the inspiration for this budding astrophysicist with CP
  • Accessibility
    Top 10 Accessible Brands & Brand Campaigns Globally
  • Get-hooked
    #GlaucomaAwarenessMonth – Early detection & treatment is critical to prevent permanent vision loss

Contribue to Newz Hook. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature your inspiring story or share an event with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

Woman getting her eyes tested

Get-hooked

#GlaucomaAwarenessMonth – Early detection & treatment is critical to prevent permanent vision loss

Logos of the 10 brands featured in the article

Accessibility

Top 10 Accessible Brands & Brand Campaigns Globally

Tuhin Dey in a wheelchair with his mother

Accessibility

Prof Stephen Hawking is the inspiration for this budding astrophysicist with CP

Employment

My journey from a hearing impaired individual to a Social Changemaker

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Coronavirus-news

Umoya Sports launches online physical education programme for kids with & without disabilities

Get-hooked

Cherish your life with all its unique flaws and blessings- My Take by Sundari Sivasubbu, Author

Parasports

Ex Indian Armed Forces soldiers on a mission to enable disabled people to conquer land, sea & water

Get-hooked

My journey with ‘Pehel’, My take by Dr Kinjal Chandra

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook is a media site focusing on Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight stories that share insights into the lives of people with disabilities, offer solutions and create collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who share knowledge about disability, inclusion & accessibility.

Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.