Guest Session on
“Children’s with Special needs and difficulties faced by them”
Introduction
The Community Service Unit of MMBGIMS organized a guest session on ” Children’s with Special needs and difficulties faced by them ” for the MMS Batch 2024-26. The session aimed to raise awareness about the difficulties faced by specially-abled children’s and adults and how society can support them. A total of 42 students attended the session.
The session began with an introduction by Director Prof. Dr. Vidya Hattangadi, followed by a student introducing the guest speakers.
The first speaker, Ms. Manasi Kothare, Officer at MTDC, spoke about the work of Vihaan Outdoors, an organization that promotes inclusivity and provides transformative experiences for children and young adults with special needs. She highlighted how their initiatives help in building confidence and independence among specially-abled individuals.
The session then continued with Dr. Sapna Mishra, who emphasized the importance of social responsibility towards specially-abled individuals. She discussed various types of disabilities, including physical, mental, behavioural, and intellectual disabilities, and the challenges faced by individuals in their daily lives.
To provide a practical understanding, Dr. Mishra conducted a simulation activity, where students participated, and experienced difficulties faced by children with special needs. This engaging exercise helped students develop greater empathy and awareness towards society.
The session concluded with a vote of thanks and appreciation for the speakers.
Learning and Feedback
Students found the session insightful and impactful, as it provided a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by specially-abled individuals. The interactive simulation was particularly appreciated, as it helped them experience challenges faced by them.
Many students expressed their views and perspective about the session and it motivated them to be more inclusive and supportive in their daily interactions. Some expressed interest in volunteering for similar initiatives in the future.
Conclusion
The session successfully raised awareness about the needs and challenges of specially-abled individuals and encouraged students to be more empathetic and responsible towards them. It reinforced the importance of inclusivity and inspired students to take an active role in community service and social responsibility.
