Sensory park for visually challenged in Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Jan 30 (ANI): 'Institute for the Blind' has created a sensory park with the help of Chandigarh administration and Municipal Corporation for the use of visually challenged persons.

This park has been built to provide a safe place for the visually impaired to walk around in a better and fresh environment, away from the accidental traffic threats and pollution.

Kuldeep Sodh, the Vice-Principal of the Institute said, "Our specially trained teachers help in imparting mobility to the visually-challenged. They are taught to walk with the help of walking stick in order to make them independent, so that they can walk freely without being dependent on anyone."

"We see, the traffic has become one of the major problems for such people to walk on the road. Even we do not feel safe to send them out on roads. That is why this park has proved very beneficial for these visually-impaired students and I am sure they will make the best of it," added Sodh.

Apart from this initiative, the Institute has already incorporated an infrastructure which comprises other learning skills, such as reading Braille, learning to use computers, playing musical instruments, and engaging students in creative activities such as singing and dancing.

This sensory park not only provides a breath of fresh air and mobility to these students, but also attempts to enhance their sense of smell.

The students are taught to differentiate between plants and flowers by their aromatic fragrances.

Labh, a visually impaired student said, "All our senses which are intact get better as we smell and feel the things, here in this park. We can distinguish between various plants whether big or small, and our senses to touch and feel enhanced."

Employment generating activities like caning chairs, handloom weaving and candle making are a part of the course curriculum, which not only engages the students in constructive work but also helps earn good monetary remuneration.

These activities also help in enhancing the courage and self-confidence of these visually challenged students. (ANI)