The Hindu 05.12.2009
Award for Chennai Corporation
Staff Reporter
| For its work oriented towards persons with disabilities |
— Photo: Chennai Corporation 
Recognition: Mayor M.Subramanian receiving the award from President Prathiba Patil in New Delhi on Thursday.
CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation on Thursday received the National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, 2009, for its work in the creation of barrier-free environment for persons with disabilities from President Prathiba Patil in New Delhi.
Mayor M. Subramanian, who received the award, told The Hindu on Friday that the civic body would conduct a special grievance camp for persons with disabilities next month.
He said that at a similar camp last year financial assistance was also provided through the Lions Club to 50 persons with disabilities to help them set up small businesses.
He said that schools would be instructed to shift classrooms to the ground floor if children with disabilities are there in the class. Over 1,600 children with disabilities study in the civic body’s schools. The Corporation also has a tie-up with Vidyasagar to provide resource persons to teach children with moderate to severe disabilities.
He said that all newly constructed buildings of the civic body had ramps to provide barrier-free access. Almost all of the 1,000 buildings of the civic body had been made barrier-free.
The national award has been instituted by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
