Due to the pandemic and strict COVID-19 related protocols, visiting hospitals has become challenging for parents who need to avail physiotherapy and other health-related services for their children with special needs. Similarly, home visits by social workers from the Ability Bhutan Society (ABS) have also been limited during the pandemic, which has resulted in inconsistencies in one-to-one interventions.
To address these challenges, we supported ABS to develop home-based interventions and materials for parents and caregivers to conduct at home for their children. The project supported the development of five short audiovisuals focusing on 1. Sensory Integration, 2. Positioning, 3. Basic sounds, 4. Massage tips and, 5. Setting up the home environment for children with Cortical Visual Impairment. The audiovisuals will be made accessible in three local dialects and will also incorporate sign language.
The audiovisuals were launched and distributed on December 3rd, 2021 coinciding with International Disability Day.
The Foundation also supported the development of tactile communication boards. These boards can be used as early intervention tools for young children with cortical visual impairment. The boards were created by social workers in consultation with the parents/caregivers.
