VELLORE: As part of the golden jubilee celebrations, Workshop for the Rehabilitation and Training of the Handicapped ([WORTH) Trust an exhibition on 50 years of its achievement was inaugurated on Friday at its campus
Started in 1963 by the Swedish Red Cross, WORTH is the brain child of Dr Paul Brand, the famous hand surgeon of CMC. Initially, the focus was on rehabilitating leprosy patients, through industrial training. The beneficiaries of WORTH today are persons with hearing, visual and orthopaedic disabilities.
WORTH also produces components in metal and plastic with production centres in Katpadi, Pondicherry and Tiruchirapalli.
These units have received the ISO 9001-2000 and TS 16949 certification, a unique honour for a rehabilitation institution in India. The self-sustaining production centres employ mostly persons with disability, enabling them to generate a surplus.
A Brailler unit in Katpadi assembles the world famous Perkins Braillers, which are sold all over the world. WORTH also produces wheel chairs, tricycles and walkers for persons with disabilities.
In addition,WORTH manages three Technical Training Centres, where boys and girls with disability are provided free vocational training in turner, machinist, welder and electronics trades. WORTH is the only rehabilitation organisation in India, which is fully self-sustained.