2nd Lead (Adds photos)

USAID Director opens Festival for Disabled in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Saturday, 24 July 2004, 12:12 GMT]
USAID Mission Director Carol Becker lit the ceremonial lamp during the opening ceremony of a sport, music and dance Festival for the Disabled held in Jaffna Saturday in celebration of the 17th Anniversary of the Jaffna Jaipur Centre for Disability Rehabilitation (JJCDR), sources said.

More than 50 disabled persons participated in the sports event that included bicycle, tricycle races, 100 meter run, tug-of-war and other field events, residents of Jaffna attending the events said.

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.