Miles with Meaning for Learning Disability
- D. J. Sanghvi College of Engineering and LIFE Trust organise marathon to create awareness about learning disability - Statistics indicate that 15% of the world population has Learning Disability - Young and old Mumbaikars run for a noble cause
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-- It was a day that saw the participation of over 2,500 people in Miles with Meaning - a marathon organised to create awareness about Learning Disability. The marathon was organised by the students of D. J. Sanghvi College of Engineering, in association with Landmark International Foundation for Empowerment (LIFE Trust), a registered charitable trust working extensively in the education space.
The marathon began from the college and continued over 4.3 km. Participants reached the venue as early as 7:30am, and the marathon started out on time at 8:30 am. The participants were an enthusiastic lot, comprising people of all age groups. The marathon presented them an opportunity to proactively engage with a social project, and they distributed pamphlets on Learning Disability, along the run.
"The marathon was conceptualised to promote awareness about Learning Disability and sensitise society to the need to consider it in education. It was heartening to see over 2,500 people come out to run. Our knowledge partner for this initiative was LIFE Trust. The Trust has established the LIFE Centre for Learning Disabilities at Nair Hospital where Learning Disability is tested, diagnosed, counselled and certified," said Jimit Shah, Cultural Secretary D. J. Sanghvi College of Engineering.
Mrs. Poonam Lalvani, Managing Trustee, LIFE Trust, added, "It is very encouraging to see students getting involved in creating awareness about Learning Disability, which has to still be completely understood in India, especially among less fortunate sections of society. Our endeavor has been to provide means to economically backward sections to access free testing, diagnosis and counselling of this condition. We have undertaken several initiatives which have benefited thousands of students and teachers in the public education domain. According to an industry estimate, every year over 6 lakh students appear for the SSC exams, of which about 5 to 15% are dyslexic. Evidently, remedial measures to combat Learning Disability is the need of the hour."
"The youth are the future of this country, and it is inspiring to see the effort put in by the students of D. J. Sanghvi College to take up a cause that is so pertinent to students today. It is important that parents and teachers fully understand the nature of Learning Disabilities, as this will ease a lot of unnecessary pressure put on students affected with this condition," added Mrs. Lalvani.
This is a small step towards effectively understanding and creating awareness about a major disability that affects a large part of the student population. The hope is that this platform will lead to efficient corrective actions to successfully treat students suffering from Learning Disability.
Notes to Editor
About Learning disability (LD):
Learning Disability (LD) is a lifelong disorder which affects the manner in which individuals with normal or above average intelligence select, retain and express information. It is estimated that 15% of the world population has some learning disability. Some of the prominent forms of LD include Dyslexia (difficulty in reading and comprehension), Dysgraphia (Difficulty in writing) and Dyscalculia (difficulty in arithmetic).
About LIFE Trust:
Established in the year 2000 in Chennai, Landmark International Foundation for Empowerment (LIFE) is a registered Public Charitable Trust. With a vision to make 'school chalo' the mantra of each child in India, LIFE undertakes several activities for the betterment of the public school education system in India. LIFE has also introduced path breaking initiatives for students with learning disabilities and mentally challenged students. LIFE currently has its presence in Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore and plans to have a pan India presence in the coming years.
LIFE's mission is collaborating and supporting the Public School System along with other agencies and like-minded individuals in improving the quality of education through creative and effective programmes, involving all its stakeholders and the society.
LIFE Trust - Learning Disability:
LIFE Trust has set up the LIFE Centre for Learning Disabilities at Nair Hospital in Mumbai in 2007, which is only the second centre in Maharashtra where Learning Disability is tested, diagnosed, counseled and certified. Over the last two years, over 5,000 children have been screened, with more than 70% being registered at LIFE Centre for Learning Disabilities. Close to 1,000 students have undergone remedial processes and issued Learning Disability certificates, necessary for related exemptions. LIFE Trust has also initiated various counseling sessions for parents, teachers and students. Reflective of the extensive work that LIFE Trust undertakes in the municipal schools, the Trust has trained 1,600 municipal school teachers and Head Masters on the subject of Learning Disability through effective workshops and training modules.
For Further Information log on to www.lifetrustindia.org
