Children affected by cerebral palsy and having trouble sitting in normal chairs were given special seats until 01 January 2010. Seats of three sizes were provided and the price ranged from Rf 2,000 to Rf 4,700. For children with cerebral palsy, there was no income testing for the family. The number of children who received special seats in 2008 was three. In 2009, until December one child had received a special seat (verbal communication). Spectacles were provided for children of school going age (less than 18 years), elderly people who were above 65 years of age, and for persons with disabilities. Application for spectacles had to be accompanied by a certificate and a prescribed number for the glasses from an ophthalmologist. The maximum financial assistance for a spectacle was Rf 600 (the allowance was reduced from Rf 800 to Rf 600 in 2009)and was given once a year. Residents from the islands had to travel to Male’ for the eye examination and selection of the spectacle frame. Cost of travel to Male’ and living costs in Male’ had to be borne by the applicant. Spectacles were provided after family income tests and the income test threshold was a family income greater than Rf 6000. Altogether 488 persons received spectacles in 2008 while 207 persons received spectacles in 2009 by end of November (verbal communication). Hearing aids were provided for persons with hearing impairment until 01 January 2010. When an application form for assistive devices was submitted with a medical certificate stating that a hearing aid will benefit the person then the Medical Welfare Section issued a letter type of hearing aid. A hearing aid was provided from the Ministry which cost in the range of Rf 4,000 to Rf 10,000. The hearing aid was provided for three years and the person was eligible to renew the hearing aid after three years. Income testing was not conducted for provision of hearing aids. The number of persons who received hearing aids from the Government in 2008 was 45. In 2009 (by the end of November) 23 people had received hearing aids (verbal communication). Assistive devices were provided by the Medical Welfare Assistance Section of the Ministry of Health and Family, until the change of policy on 01 January 2010. According to the new policy assistive devices will be provided to those who are eligible under the national health insurance scheme Madhana. ACTIVITIES ADDRESSING RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES addressed to the audiologist at the Male’ Optical Center requesting for a prescription for the ... 51