Speech & Hearing Camp Conducted For Children With Disabilities in Hdh. Atoll

Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC) collaborated with the Beautiful Eyes Down Syndrome Association to conduct a speech & hearing camp in Haa Dhaalu Atoll. Focusing on children with disabilities in the region, the camp took place from the 16^th -20^th of November and saw the participation of an international speech therapist.

During the camp, the international speech therapist held free consultations, diagnosis, individual assessments and audiometric tests at three locations in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, namely Hdh. Nolhivaranfaru, Nolhivaram and Kulhudhuffushi City. Over 90 children with speech and hearing impairments took part in the camp and consulted with the speech therapist.

In addition to this, a designated 2-day workshop was conducted at Nolhivaranfaru and Kulhudhuffushi City for more than 70 Special Education Needs teachers and foundation stage teachers. Led by the speech therapist, the sessions were themed around ‘Improving articulation and speech’ and ‘Minimizing communication challenges’ and even highlighted on other useful intervention tips that can be practiced in the classroom when dealing with children with disabilities.

Teachers from schools all across the atoll partook in the workshop. This included teachers from Nolhivaranfaru School, Nolhivaram School, H.Dh Atoll Education Centre, Afeefuddin School and Jalaluddin School. The camp was successfully conducted with the support and partnership of Kulhudhuffushi City Council, Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital, Nolhivaranfaru Health Centre, Nolhivaram Health Centre, Ministry of Education and the respective schools,