Bridging differences for differently-abled

Deafness-cum-blindness is considered to be a low incidence disability but poses a impairment with specific effects on the lives of individuals.

As per Sense International India there are more than 4,85,000 deafblind people in India. The impact of a dual sensory loss is significantly different from a single loss as the individual’s ability to compensate with the remaining sense is reduced.

In April 2009, Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra started a program for deafblind children with support of Sense International (India) at Hazaribagh. It covers 28 villages or urban pockets of Hazaribagh. A baseline survey was conducted by trained field staff and special educators to categorise the deafblind children as mild, moderate and profound.

Later, through clinical assessment proportion of hearing/vision or other motor-sensory loss was estimated. Initially the program started with 18 deafblind that has reached up to 42 children now.

A Resource Center was established in Hazaribagh town to make these children self dependent despite limitations and to ensure their school enrollment. This center is enriched with a number of aids-appliances and teaching-learning materials. NBJK provided related services through home based and center based set up. Both offer a number of activities for deafblind children to facilitate them towards self sustainability and to involve their parents also in this process. Like ADL or activity of daily living which includes toileting, brushing, eating, drinking, bathing, dressing etc.

FRW or functional reading & writing comprise fine and gross motor development, speech therapy, sign language and Braille. Orientation & mobility skills include developing sensory awareness, directionality, spatial concepts and independent movement with other relevant activities.

Physiotherapy to such children or its training to parents enables them to practice and perform better in all respect. Focus is given upon receptive and expressive communication, social interactions, and cognitive use of sensory abilities. Leisure & recreation, pre-academics, literacy, pre-vocational /job skills, behaviour modification, sex education and various independent living skills are other areas of activities for identified deafblind children and their parents.

The programme has ensured certification and pension for 34 and school enrollment for 14 such children. NBJK organizes outings for these children and their parents. Their families have formed a network which meets quarterly to share experience and discuss about further progress of their children.

This programme has shown the way to consider deafblind children distinctively with care and hope.

Source : The Pioneer ( 9th Feb 2013 )