It’s now easier for students with special needs to get passports
MADURAI, FEBRUARY 17, 2019 00:00 IST
A. S. Harish Jaidev, a student with special needs, is flying to Malaysia to take part in a yoga competition in May. Though autistic, he is excited about taking part in the contest and is looking forward to his first international trip.
However, there’s a glitch. Harish does not have a passport yet.
“It is difficult for students with special needs to be seated in one place for more than 10 minutes. They often become restless. This becomes an impediment while visiting the passport seva kendra,” says Andavar P. Jaidev, Harish’s father and Principal of Sparks Vidyalaya.
He adds that other special children taking part in the yoga contest from his school, also do not have passports.
In a bid to find a solution, parents of students with special needs gathered at the Madurai Group Living Foundation (MGLF) and sought permission from the regional passport office to have a special mela.
On Saturday, the doors of the passport office were open to 102 students with special needs to facilitate easy procurement of the passport.
“In the past, we have tried to accommodate students with special needs by providing them time slots where there are few people but I realise that it is rare for parents to bring these kids forward on a regular working day. Many parents may also not be able to reach me on particular days. This would mean that they would have to go through an elaborate process by themselves,” says T. Arun Prasad, Regional Passport Officer.
He adds that parents have complained of inhibitions when it comes to bringing their child to the office as their repetitive behaviour may disturb the atmosphere.
“Students with special needs also do not particularly cooperate when their pictures or biometrics need to be taken. On weekdays, the process is usually hurried and they would lose the opportunity to try again. By opening the office on Saturday exclusively for them, it would ease the pressure,” he says.
Mr. Prasad adds that he has made documentation easier as well.
“The passport of a minor usually mandates signature from both parents. Here we have relaxed it. Similarly, minor children must produce education certificates. We have not sought these documents from the parents. The parents can sign on behalf of the child as well,” he says.
A. Chandrasekaran, Managing Trustee, MGLF, says that the mela has come as a respite for parents of students with special needs. He says that the need for procuring passport is slowly reaching the community. “If more melas are held, a lot of our children will have a little more empowerment,” Mr. Chandrasekaran says.
Mr. Prasad says that the department is open to hosting more such events if there is a demand.
MADURAI, FEBRUARY 17, 2019 00:00 IST
A. S. Harish Jaidev, a student with special needs, is flying to Malaysia to take part in a yoga competition in May. Though autistic, he is excited about taking part in the contest and is looking forward to his first international trip.
However, there’s a glitch. Harish does not have a passport yet.
“It is difficult for students with special needs to be seated in one place for more than 10 minutes. They often become restless. This becomes an impediment while visiting the passport seva kendra,” says Andavar P. Jaidev, Harish’s father and Principal of Sparks Vidyalaya.
He adds that other special children taking part in the yoga contest from his school, also do not have passports.
In a bid to find a solution, parents of students with special needs gathered at the Madurai Group Living Foundation (MGLF) and sought permission from the regional passport office to have a special mela.
On Saturday, the doors of the passport office were open to 102 students with special needs to facilitate easy procurement of the passport.
“In the past, we have tried to accommodate students with special needs by providing them time slots where there are few people but I realise that it is rare for parents to bring these kids forward on a regular working day. Many parents may also not be able to reach me on particular days. This would mean that they would have to go through an elaborate process by themselves,” says T. Arun Prasad, Regional Passport Officer.
He adds that parents have complained of inhibitions when it comes to bringing their child to the office as their repetitive behaviour may disturb the atmosphere.
“Students with special needs also do not particularly cooperate when their pictures or biometrics need to be taken. On weekdays, the process is usually hurried and they would lose the opportunity to try again. By opening the office on Saturday exclusively for them, it would ease the pressure,” he says.
Mr. Prasad adds that he has made documentation easier as well.
“The passport of a minor usually mandates signature from both parents. Here we have relaxed it. Similarly, minor children must produce education certificates. We have not sought these documents from the parents. The parents can sign on behalf of the child as well,” he says.
A. Chandrasekaran, Managing Trustee, MGLF, says that the mela has come as a respite for parents of students with special needs. He says that the need for procuring passport is slowly reaching the community. “If more melas are held, a lot of our children will have a little more empowerment,” Mr. Chandrasekaran says.
Mr. Prasad says that the department is open to hosting more such events if there is a demand.
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