To all our supporters,

If you are reading this letter then you have taken the first step in helping our cause and for that we thank you. This is a letter of appeal from "Jyot Society of Parents with Autistic Children". An appeal for support of different kinds.... To learn more about us read on............

WHO ARE WE?

We are a group of parents of children with autism (CWA) who are working towards providing our children with a viable future to enable them to be productive members of society. Though primarily started as a support group for parents of CWA we now have parents of children who are mentally challenged. Our main objective is to provide our children with a functional education, social integration, vocational training and rehabilitation.

WHAT DO WE DO?

In order to achieve the objectives mentioned above, we have started a small school for CWA in Margao (which is now integrated in Adarsh High School, Margao) and established 2 integrated classrooms at Holy Cross School, Bastora and Chubby Cheeks School Pilerne. The establishment of the integrated classroom is a huge step in the direction of achieving acceptance for our children within their own age groups and sensitizing regular students about conditions of different disabilities. In addition we have also held workshops for teachers of different schools in Goa to make them aware of the importance of inclusion.

WHAT DO WE HOPE TO DO?

Our future plans include starting a vocational training center which will serve as a workshop as well as an employment center for our children. The focus will be on identifying jobs which are in keeping with our children's abilities as well as those needed in society and then training our children to perform those jobs.

A residential center so that our children can have the same quality of life as adults as they did when they were children.

As with all plans one of the main concerns is funding and with this in mind, we are launching our first major fundraiser.

This is a 2 day workshop on TEACCH- (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communication Handicapped Children) conducted by Dr. Sundari, from UK. Presently working as a consultant psychiatrist at the Developmental Disability Service, Wales, she has had 13 years experience with adults & children with mental retardation & autism and is considered a leading expert in the field. This is a workshop, which will benefit parents and professionals in the field of autism. It will be held on November 11th & 12th (2005) at The International Centre, Dona Paula, Goa.

The costs involved are as follows-

• Airfare Rs. 8,050/-
• Conference Hall charges Rs. 6,960/-
• Audio Visual Aids Rs. 11,000/-
• Room Rent Rs. 2,580/-
• Catering Rs. 11,000/-
• Souvenir Rs. 6,500/-
• Folders & other printing Rs. 3,000/-
• Publicity Rs. 4,000/-
• Transport Rs. 1,500/-
• Miscellaneous Rs. 2,000/-

TOTAL Rs. 56,590/-

WHAT CAN YOU DO

To make this project a success we need to cover the costs of the entire workshop and this is where you come in. Your contributions will help us build up a fund, which will be used for the vocational center.

 

It can be paid in the form of cash/ draft/ cheques payable at any bank branch in Goa- addressed to Jyot society. Please note that Jyot is a registered society (No. 230/ Goa/ 02) & is granted exemption U/ S/ 80G of the Income Tax Act. It is a non- profit organization that is supported by parents. Please ensure that you receive a signed receipt against any form of donation.

We hope you will be able to give your wholehearted cooperation because your participation & involvement will go a long way in helping to ensure that children with disabilities have a chance to be contributing members to society.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

 

(Chairperson)