DISABILITY IS NOT INABILITY, By AGA Barrie

On the morning of Saturday, February 13th, Z.A.M. Refai and I decided to visit the Islamic Centre for the Physically Handicapped located in Doolmala, Thihariya.  Thihariya, predominantly a Muslim village in the Gampaha district and located about nine km’s from the Gampaha town, took a pleasant ninety minutes down the Kandy road to reach.  We were welcomed by the President of the Centre Al Haj Jiffry Haniffa, the Principal, staff and students, all of who took us on detailed tour of the facilities.  The Centre provides formal education, vocational training, rehabilitation, food, accommodation and medical care completely free of charge to the hearing and visually impaired and to students who are physically and mentally handicapped from the primary to secondary level.  The facilities consist of full time classrooms, hostels for students, visitor quarters, grounds for the children where sports activities are routinely held and the necessary facilities and equipment for vocational training.  The buildings are well planned and maintained; situated across a four acre land.

Being an Islamic school, the Centre provides separate classes for the boys and girls even though children of all faiths attend the school.  Still, though the Centre is a Muslim school, they provide activities for all faiths and cultures including Missionary activities.  We were fortunate to witness a group of dedicated teachers patiently helping the children develop their modes of speech and language capabilities.  The method of teaching varies for the different handicaps.  For those who are hearing impaired, sign language is mode of teaching.  It was inspiring to watch students enthusiastically read their lessons and answer questions posed by the teachers; communicating all through sign language.  Visually impaired children are taught using the Braille system.  Even the reading of the Holy Quran was demonstrated by a student using Braille, truly a miracle.  The entire Quran is available in the Braille system for students to learn and read.  The students with learning difficulties are managed and taught by experts in their respective fields, both trained teachers and volunteers.  Both the staff and the Principal are very proud of their students’ achievements and have much reason to be so.  Two of their students have entered the university and many have gone on to overcome their difficulties and lead an enriching and fulfilling life.