SHILLONG : The Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), in collaboration with Samagra Shiksha, Meghalaya, organised an Integrated State Review Meeting in Shillong on Friday to strengthen inclusive education and support systems for Children with Special Needs (CwSN) across the state.
The meeting was held at Shillong Club and brought together District Officers, Special Educators (SE), District IE Coordinators (DIECOs), District AI Coordinators, District Support Units (DSUs) and representatives of ALIMCO to discuss challenges, gaps and opportunities in delivering support to children with disabilities.
The meeting was chaired by Richa Kulkarni, IAS, State Project Director, Samagra Shiksha, Meghalaya, along with senior officials and other stakeholders.
The programme began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by the felicitation of distinguished guests. The Unit Head of ALIMCO’s North-East Region, Shri Sengupta, delivered the welcome address and highlighted the organisation’s commitment to improving accessibility, inclusion and support for persons with disabilities.
Addressing the gathering, Kulkarni stressed the need to move beyond the traditional medical model of disability towards a more inclusive social model of disability.
She said disability should not simply be viewed as something that needs to be “fixed” in a child. Instead, educational systems, technology, infrastructure and support mechanisms should be adapted to meet the individual needs of children with disabilities.
She also highlighted the importance of greater understanding and sensitivity among teachers, parents, peers and society. While provisions such as infrastructure, textbooks and uniforms can be planned relatively easily, supporting Children with Special Needs requires a deeper understanding of their individual experiences and the barriers they encounter.
Kulkarni further emphasised the importance of consultations among government officials, ALIMCO, Samagra Shiksha, Special Educators and district-level functionaries. She noted that personnel working at the grassroots have valuable experience and insights into the challenges faced by children with disabilities.
The meeting also focused on the challenges posed by Meghalaya’s difficult terrain and gaps in digital connectivity, which can affect access to technology-based interventions and inclusive educational support, particularly in remote areas.
The ALIMCO team subsequently made a detailed presentation on its initiatives and interventions. This was followed by an interactive session with District AI Coordinators, DSUs and Special Educators.
Participants discussed several issues related to Children with Special Needs under Samagra Shiksha, including accessibility, assistive devices and support, technology, infrastructure, awareness, identification of needs and challenges in implementing programmes at the field level.
The discussions highlighted the need for continuous coordination among stakeholders and a stronger feedback mechanism linking the field level with the state and national levels.
According to the meeting, 3,085 Children with Special Needs in Meghalaya have benefited from various interventions over the past five years under the inclusive education framework. Across the North-Eastern region, around 30,000 Children with Special Needs have benefited during the same period.
The meeting also underscored the need to understand the unique requirements of individual districts and communities, particularly in geographically challenging areas such as Meghalaya.
Participants shared field-level experiences and identified areas where stronger convergence, technological support, accessibility and awareness could improve the delivery of services to Children with Special Needs.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the collective commitment of ALIMCO and Samagra Shiksha, Meghalaya, to building a more responsive, accessible and inclusive education ecosystem where every child with special needs receives appropriate support, opportunities and dignity.