IT was a mixture of joy and sorrow when a 24-year-old blind and deaf graduate of the Demonstration School for the Deaf at Mampong-Akuapem, Mr Yoa Sampana was robed with an academic gown to begin life on his own.
Sampana, who was born deaf and blind, had stayed in the school for 15 years during which he went through a functional academic programme (the study of English Language and Basic Accounting), as well as vocations such as poultry and snail rearing).
While some of the parents of the disabled students present could not hold back their tears, officials and others at the function, including the parents of Sampana, Mr Yaw Asiedu Moro, a Security Officer of the Presbyterian College of Education at Akropong-Akuapem and the wife, Madam Ama Asibi, were however filled with joy because Sampana, who was a burden to them, could now generate an income for livelihood.
To ensure that Sampana does not stay long at home, the school with the support of Hilton/Perkins, a human- centred organisation in the United States, has set up a small poultry farm for him in his house.
Sampana’s graduation also coincided with the 15th annual workshop for parents of deaf-blind children during which two resource persons, Mr Kafui Kum and Mrs Ayisha Frimpong took the parents through basic sign language lessons to enable them communicate effectively with their children.
Addressing the gathering, the Akuapem North District Special Education Co-ordinator, Mrs Asiama Bekoe, advised parents of disabled children not to hide them at home but to send them to special schools to be trained because they
could be assisted to make a living.
“Do not hide them in rooms, send them out to functions to mix with society and also to school to be trained to make a living,” Mrs Bekoe told the parents.
The Unit Head and Low Vision Co-ordinator of the Education of Visually Impaired, Mr Seth Nyame, who also read the speech of Ms Rosemond Blay, the Director Special Education Division, said it was the primary responsibility of parents to support
their disabled children.
He said since they could only do that effectively through the learning of sign language, they should make it a point to participate in workshops organised in that respect.
Ms Blay called for the implementation of the Disability Law which was passed in 2006 to create the necessary employment opportunities for such unfortunate persons.
He expressed her gratitude to all individuals and organisations that had assisted the disabled, especially the Christofel Blindien Mission.
An official of the Akuapem North District Directorate of Education, Mr Opoku Addo, who chaired the function, said it was sad that previous governments had paid
lip-service to the welfare of people with disabilities and called for a change in such an attitude.
Earlier, the Headmistress of the school, Mrs Agnes Akakpo, said the school was facing serious challenges and appealed for assistance from individuals and organisations.
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