capacity to provide care for children with disabilities.ADD consist of parents, caretakers of
children with disabilities, and volunteers. The NGO was formed in 2008 and the first Executive
Board was elected at first general assembly held on 26 January 2009 at Imaduddin School.
8.4 Hand in Hand
Hand in Hand is an NGO that provides psycho-social support for persons with disabilities.
Hand in Hand was established in the aftermath of the 2004 Tsunami.
8.5 Handicap International
Handicap International (HI) has contributed significantly to the development of disability
policy and disability related services in the Maldives. HI was operational in the Maldives
after the 2004 Tsunami and was engaged mainly in lobbying and advocacy. They have closed
down the Maldives office in October 2009. During their presence in the Maldives, the services
offered by Handicap International also included sports sessions every other Saturday for persons
with Down syndrome.
HI conducted screening for functional limitations as an ongoing survey in islands where
by student in schools and the community are screened for any type of disabilities. The
which if unattended to, is a disability.
HI contributed immensely to the preparation of Maldivian Sign Language Dictionary.
The dictionary contains information on the types of disabilities, services needed and services
available. The dictionary, funded by Handicap International, provides a resource to deaf people,
parents and teachers to allow them to communicate in one standard language. Signs from both
the atolls and Male’ have been incorporated into the dictionary.
ACTIVITIES ADDRESSING RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
survey showed that a large number of children from Imaadhudhin School have vision problems
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