A centre offering residential, day-care, and vocational training facilities for those with autism spectrum disorder is expected to come up in West Bengal in 2022. Named as India Autism Centre (IAC), this first-of-its-kind facility is a CSR initiative of the Ratnabali Group.
The company has already earmarked a 52-acre parcel of land at Sirakole on Diamond Harbour Road near Kolkata for the centre. The aim is to fulfill the educational, emotional, and social needs of all the students as well as visitors, with the help of a professional team and several resources.
“All parents and every educator should encourage holistic growth and development of people under the spectrum,” says Suresh Somani, Managing Trustee & Chairman of IAC. He says that the current education systems often focus on strengthening in-demand skills to increase employability, but they don’t focus much on interdisciplinary growth.
He added that India Autism Centre believes that by ensuring meaningful employment opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum, they can lead a life of general well-being and self-sustainability. “IAC will provide the right kind of support to the individuals, so that most of them are able to strive for excellence in the workplace, no matter what the nature of employment maybe.” he also said.
The centre’s program identifies the strengths and natural talents of individuals and hones them with the aim to equip them to be successful and productive members in both their homes and community.