Tata Power’s head office pierced the dark skies illuminated in blue – the colour that represents Autism support, to mark the beginning of April, which is globally recognized as Autism Awareness Month. The colour blue, associated with calmness and acceptance, is the primary color designated for autism. This symbolic gesture aims to raise awareness and show solidarity with individuals and families who live with the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The entire month will see initiatives from Tata Power focusing on Autism.
Recently, the company, signed a MoU with the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID), under the aegis of MSJE to launch and pilot test an innovative digital Neurodiversity Care platform aimed at achieving objectives like early identification of children with autism in remote areas, enhancing access to therapies and resources for caregivers, and mapping the entire neurodiversity support ecosystem.
The Pay Autention initiative addresses the critical need for a comprehensive support ecosystem given over 18 million people in India affected by Autism, an estimated rate of 1 in 60 children and rapidly increasing numbers; it is pertinent to create awareness and support to foster inclusion and care ecosystems, especially in small towns and rural areas. According to the 2021 Rehabilitation Council of India report, there are only 2 lakh special educators in India; largely concentrated in 8 states, resulting in a ratio of 1:167 special educators to children creating a huge gap in the support ecosystem. Pay Autention brings together diverse stakeholders, bridging awareness & access gaps in families, institutions, regions, resources, technology, and expert networks. The digital platform, a key component of the Pay Autention initiative, aims to interconnect and amplify the reach of special centers, professionals, and institutions for parents, caregivers, public workers, volunteers, and individuals.
The efforts are closely aligned with governmental bodies and renowned experts affiliated with the network, with a focus on fostering a comprehensive understanding of health issues, while facilitating early diagnosis, home-care practices, and enhanced interactive skills within targeted demographic. The platform announced recently will be opened for public use after pilot testing with 5000 users.
Since its launch in 2022, the Pay Autention network has successfully onboarded over 10,000 families, 280 institutions, and 120 parents, special educators, and therapists across regions including Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Goa. These individuals have been empowered and equipped with training to better navigate challenges related to health and education. Additionally, the initiative has sensitized over 540 volunteers from Tata Group companies, further expanding its reach and impact. The program entails diverse outreach engagements utilizing various formats such as inclusive fun fairs, purple fests, phygital workshops, webinars, as well as dance and movement therapy sessions. These initiatives aim to engage communities, raise awareness, and foster a supportive environment for individuals and families facing health and educational challenges. The network's web portal and toll-free helpline regularly provide high-quality learning materials and address support requests from various regions of the country. To date, the toll-free number has received a significant number of calls across several states, across India. By lighting up building in blue, Tata Power aims to spark conversations, increase understanding, and foster acceptance within the communities.
