Jaffna to hold sportsmeet for disabled

[TamilNet, Friday, 23 July 2004, 16:59 GMT]
USAID Mission Director Carlo Becker will attend a sport, music and dance Festival for Disabled Individuals in Jaffna. The Festival will be convened on July 24, to celebrate the 17th Anniversary of the Jaffna Jaipur Centre for Disability Rehabilitation (JJCDR), sources said.

In a statement issued today (July 23) the Embassy of the United States of America said that cycle and tricycle races, 100-meter races, tug-of-war, shot-put and many other field events are scheduled. Approximately 60 disabled individuals are expected to participate.

Since 1991, USAID Sri Lanka has assisted the large-scale supply of prosthetics, orthotics and mobility devices to civilians to Sri Lanka. In 2001 the program provided in excess of 1,900 limbs to civilian amputees. To date over 7,000 amputees have benefited from USAID support.

Through Motivation Charitable Trust, USAID provides a comprehensive, holistic rehabilitation program for people with disabilities. Activities include international-standard training and certification of prosthetic and orthotic technicians, introduction of polypropylene technologies and more appropriate, modern wheeled mobility devices and orthotics, as well as the development of rehabilitation services, including physical and occupational therapy, psychosocial and vocational support.