Saturday, March 15, 2008

Disabled friendly bus charts new path

It looks like any other school bus but it makes a big difference to certain children.

The hydraulic lift system, which helps people with disabilities do what comes easy to most others, is what differentiates it from other buses.

But what's surprising is that while there are thousands of disabled people in Rajasthan, there were practically no facilities for them till this bus rolled around.

''Every time lifting the wheel chair, lifting the child it's really difficult and so often parents don't send their children for outings,'' said Bina Kak, Director, Center for Special Education.

And to make this bus even more special, artists from Jaipur are giving it a dash of colour.

''I have used bright colours to brighten their mood. When they travel or even look at it they should feel happy,'' said Rohini Mandawa, artist.

Naturally, thrilled with the prospect of more outings and excursions, these special children celebrate with an innocence that is uniquely their own.

''We can go for movies and picnics,'' said Ajay, disabled child.

Something as simple as stepping into a bus and going out for a visit to the zoo is something we take for granted, but it can be a Herculean task for these children.

The bus with a hydraulic life system will not only make that much easier it will also give these children access to a normal life and a normal childhood.

Source: NDTV.com

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