national federation of the blind

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Regd. No. 4866

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND(Affiliated to World Blind Union)

Karnataka State Branch#36, 100 Feet Road, Veerabhadra Nagar, B.S.K. 3rd Stage,Bangalore-85

Souvenir 10th Anniversary

4th January 2015

Email : [email protected] Phone No. : 26728845

Mobile : 9880537783, 8197900171 Fax : 26729479

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Published by : National Federation of the Blind © Copyright : National Federation of the Blind

Chief Editor : Goutham Agarwal General Secretary NFB, Karnataka

Editor : Prasanna Udipikar HoD of English VVN Degree College, Bangalore

Printed at : Omkar Offset Printers Nm. 3/4, 1st Main Road, New Tharagupet, Bangalore - 560 002 Telefax : + 91 080 2670 8186 / 87, 2670 9026 E-mail : [email protected] Website : www.omkaroffset.com

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Contents

l NFB - a movement for rights of PWD’s

l Voice of the Blind - NFB (Karnataka)

l A Decade of Success at Glance

l Brief Life Sketch of Louis Braille

l What Is Braille Script?

l Government Assistance for the Visually Impaired

l Employment Schemes

l Social Security Benefits

l Causes and Types of Blindness

l Prevention of Blindness

l Higher Education is no Longer a Challenge for Women With Disability

l Schools For Visually Challenged Children

l Schemes of National Scholarship for students with disability

l Some legal and functional definitions of Disability

l Population of Visual Disability in India

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Contact Us

Sl. Name & Address Email ID. No.

1. NFB Karnataka principal office [email protected] #36, 100 Feet Road, Veerabhadra Nagar, B.S.K. 3rd Stage, Bangalore-560085 Ph: 080-26728845 Fax: 080-26729479 Mob: 9916368800

2 National Federation of the Blind (India) [email protected] National office New Delhi Plot No.21, Sector –VI, M.B.Road, Pushpavihar, New Delhi-110 017 Ph: 91-11-29564198

3 National Federation of the Blind Braille [email protected] cum talking library & Assistive Devices of Aids & appliances supply service Mob: 8197900171

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for 3% reserving for the disabled. Later, the Working Group could not do much and had to be dissolved. A committee under the chairmanship of Justice Beharul Islam was constituted to draft the said legislation which submitted its report in the year 1990. The Federation had to resort twin pronged strategy, On the one hand it continued the peaceful agitation from time to time and on the other hand started lobbying with the law makers of both the houses of the Parliament. This action of the Federation yielded positive results and the Government tabled the draft legislation before the Parliament which passed it on the 22th December 1995. The act called “The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation)Act-1995”came into force after the 7th of February 1996 with its notification in the gazette of India. This morale boosting victory was a result of a long unyielding struggle and sustained efforts of the Federation spearheaded by the visionary Secretary General. At the moment efforts are on to pursue the government to amend the act.

This act ultimately became an umbrella of the protection for the rights of persons with disabilities as judgments in a number of cases filed against the violation of rights under various articles of this act in different courts were awarded in favour of the disabled persons. One such landmark judgment pronounced by the High Court of Delhi on the 19th December 2008 in a Writ Petition I No. 15828/2006 filed by the National Federation of the Blind versus Union of India against the discrimination of the blind and low vision persons by virtually excluding them from the process of recruitment to the Government. Posts in violation of the scheme of reservation contained in Section 33 of the said act. The Honorable High Court of Delhi has directed the government:-

1. To constitute a committee consisting of the Chief Commissioner for Disabilities (Chairman), Joint Secretary, Department of Personnel & Training, Joint Secretary Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Joint Secretary Department of Public Enterprises and Secretary Staff Selection Commission to do the following acts in terms of this order:-

To solicit information with regard to recruitments made by Departments/ public sector undertakings / government companies from the date when the out backlog of vacancies for the disabled on the total cadre strength in different establishments within one month from the date of this order.

To undertake special recruitment drive by organizing centralized recruitment against backlog so worked out so as to fill up the vacancies by utilizing at least 50% of the vacancies available with the respective establishments for this purpose only.

To organize further special recruitment drive as required so as filling up the remaining backlog of vacancies by 31st December 2010.

2. The Government will issue an appropriate order modifying the OM dated 29.12.2009 and the subsequent OMs consistent with this court’s order.

3. The Government shall issue instructions to all the departments/ public sector undertaking/ government companies declaring that the non observance of the scheme of reservation for persons with disabilities should be considered as an act of non-obedience and the nodal officer in Departments/ Public sector undertakings/ government owned companies responsible for the proper and strict implementation of reservation for persons with disabilities to be departmentally proceeded against for his default.

4. The Government is further directed to issue instructions to all the departments/ government companies as well as recruiting agencies not to undertake recruitment for any department/ public sector undertaking/ government company makes provisions for reservation for persons with disabilities in terms of the order of this court and a clearance is granted by the Committee headed by the Chief Commissioner for Disabilities.

5. The Committee headed by the Chief Commissioner for Disabilities shall submit a status report on implementation of the above directions of this court within three months from the date of this order.

Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy,

and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.

- Helen Keller

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The National Federation of the Blind (Karnataka)is a part of a National and largest self help organization of the blind known as national federation of the blind (India) representing around 2,50,000 visually impaired people of the state.

We are the Voice of the Blind, speaking to state governments and national bodies, on issues concerning blindness and visual impairments. NFB Karnataka believes to work in partnership with all those national and regional organizations and government agencies for providing services to visually impaired persons.

If someone wishes to join the NFB Karnataka with the view to serve the persons with visual impairment, the membership of the federation is open for all such individuals and institutions.

Our prime focus is on the issues relating to the persons with blindness and low vision such as prevention of blindness/low vision, rehabilitation, education, employment and social inclusion of persons with visual impairment.

We are also member of Disability NGO Alliance Karnataka and work together as a coalition to advance the living standards of people with disability.

History & Structure

The NFB Karnataka was established on July 10, 2004 and since then it has been engaged in enabling our visually challenged peers to maximize their potential in all spheres of

Voice of the Blind - NFB (Karnataka)

their lives and to have all those human rights that their sighted counter parts enjoy.

We have two district units at Mysore and Hubli which are managed by the team of local visually challenged leaders, belonging to their respective regions.

The Federation has around 1200 visually challenged members across the state irrespective of their cast, cread, religion, profession and socio-economic status.

In accordance with its ideology and activities the federation has become a real and authentic voice of person with visual disability.

Through its leadership and democratic structure the federation has succeeded in providing a platform to all its visually challenged brothers and sisters to establish the right to speak for themselves.

Eliminating prejudice, promoting belief in the proven abilities of visually impaired people, as well as achieving full participation and equality in society are among the key goals of the organization in the state.

Our Governing Council

Our governing council comprises leaders elected by the general body of the NFB Karnataka. The present governing council was elected in September 2011 for a term of five years.

The office bearers and members in governing council include the following

Sl. Name Designation Address & contact detail Profession No.

1. Sri. Nagaraj M Sirsi President C/o. G.Narayanaswamy, Working as Facility Executive in Dell # 48, 4th Cross, Dinnur, R T Nagar, services international Pvt. Ltd Bangalore- 32

2 Mrs. Nupur Murugan Vice President Flat 1910, Sobha May Flower, Working as Assistant manager, Bellandur, Bangalore, 560103 Wipro Info Tech Ltd. Mob: 9845864241 [email protected]

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3 Sri. Gautam Agarwal General Secretary Bharat Monofilament & Textiles Own plastic Business (Director in PVT Ltd Bharat group of companies) #65, 1st Main Road, Pete Channappa Indl. Estate, Magadi Main Road, Kamakshipalya, Bangalore-560 079 M: 9980444655 email: [email protected]

4 Sri. Manjunath V Secretary Tailagere Village, Government Employer Karahalli Post, Devanahalli Taluk, Bangalore Dist. Probationary Officer, Canarabank Mob: 9731692686 E-Mail: [email protected]

5 Ms.Lalitha N Secretary #108/A, G-2 Cross, Government Employee PWD Qrts, Jeevan Bhimanagar, Bangalore Tele Caller, Commercial Tax Office Mob: 7411552399

6 Ms.Sundreshwari V Treasurer C. A Site, No. P-22, 31st Main, Works for NGO 18th Cross, Sector- I, H.S.R Layout, Behind, NIFT, Bangalore -102. Mob: 9900192609 E-Mail: [email protected]

7 Sri. Pradeep TS Member # 970, 47th Cross, 1st Stage, Government Employee Kumaraswamy Layout, Bangalore-560078 Assistant Manager, Mob: 9845925188 United Bank of India [email protected]

8 Sri. Shanthappa Member Ganesha Food Product, Near San Teacher in BGS Blind School, Talkies, B M Road, Ramanagaram Ramanagara Taluk & Dist. M: 9844458675

9 Sri. Nagaraj H Member No. 176, Near Ambika School, Government Employee 1st Cross, Jai Maruthinagar, Nandini Layout, Bangalore- 96 Single Window Operator, Mob:9980360584 State Bank of Mysore E-Mail- [email protected]

10 Mrs. Shobha T. Member #48, Plot 2, Ground Floor Gowri Home maker Shankara Nilaya, 4th Cross 4th Main, GM Palya, Bangalore- 560075 Mob: 7676877873 E-Mail- [email protected]

11 Sri. Mohan Member # 42/10, Corporation ATM Building, Employee, Garment Industry KHB Colony, Sirke Apartment,

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Nagarabhavi Ring Road, Jnanabharathi Post, Bangalore-56 Mob: 9945327884

12 Sri. Basavaraj B.T. Member # 70, Karadoni Atpost, Navali hobli, Music Teacher, BGS Blind School Gangavathi Taluk, Koppal Dist Mob: M: 9242884663 [email protected]

13 Sri. Mani S Member # U-64, 6th Cross, Mariyamma koyil Street, Sugandaranagar, Srirampuram, Bangalore-21 Mob: 8861787206

14 Sri. Anjaneya K.M Member Kodathi Village, Vrthur Hobli, Computer instructor Sarjapura Main Road, Karmelaram Post, Bangalore South Dist, Bangalore-35 Mob: 9880172320, [email protected]

15 Sri. Siddaraj Member & No. 39, 11th Cross, Government Employee president Moksha Marg, Mysore Unit Siddarth Nagar, First Divisional Assistant Mysore- 01 at Government Braille press, M: 9886386252 Mysore

16 Sri. Ramesh Rao Member and No. 47, Trinity Layout, Gokul Road, Businessman, Hubli Hatthangadi General Surabhinagar, Secretary Hubli- 30 Hubli Unit M: 9243242196

The office bearers and members in governing council include the following

Our National leaders

Sl. Name Designation Address & contact detail Profession No.

1 Dr. Shirish L. Despande National President Plot No.54, Central Excise Colony Prof. of Law at Layout, Telecom Nagar, Khamla Nagpur University Nagpur 400025 (MH)

2. Sri. Santosh Kumar Rungta National General D-67, East of Kailsha, New Delhi & Sr.Advocate in Delhi Secretary Supreme Court High court

3 Sri.Kashminai National Vice president (South Zone)

4. Sri.Vishvanath Reddy National Secretary (South)

5 Mrs.Kusumalatha National Vice president and Chairperson of National Women wing

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6 Sri. Naveen kumar National Secretary and Chairperson of Youth wing

7 Ms.Madhusinghal National coordinator of Women wing

The Prime Activities of NFB Karnataka

It was the vision of our founders to reach out to and serve every blind person in the state, and with the view to realize this vision National Federation of the Blind Karnataka came into existence on 10th July 2004 with the philosophy “Let the Blind Lead the Blind’’

During the past one decade the federation has developed a strong pan Karnataka presence, by providing a range of services to the blind in every nook and corner of state through network of its main office and regional units at Mysore & Hubli.

Since the inception of the organization in the state we have been engaged in creating an environment in the state that enables thousands of our visually challenged brothers and sisters to maximize their potential and have at least all those basic human rights which their sighted counterparts enjoy.

Our Prime activities include the following:-

F Hostel for College going boys with visual disability: -

We are running two hostels for college going blind boys at our principal office in Bangalore and Mysore regional unit respectively, where around 40 visually impaired students are availing the benefit of boarding, lodging, study support material and other basic amenities. Federation spends around Rs. 15 lakh per annum for these two hostels without any financial aid from the state or central government. The admission to both hostels are open to all those Karnataka residing visually challenged boys who come to Bangalore or Mysore from remote parts of the state to pursue their higher education.

FAids & Appliances supply service

NFB Karnataka operates a store of wide range of assistive devices which are used by the blind persons in their day to day life. The store procures all such assistive devices from reputed manufacturers and dealers across the country and abroad and make them available to the visually challenged individuals and their institutions in the state at its actual cost. The assistive devices available at store include Braille learning and writing devices, mobility aids, educational aids, indoor and out door games, puzzles and personal devices. The following catalogue of assistive devices are available at the NFB store at thier indicated prices :

Sl. No Particular Rate

1 7 Line Pocket frame 44

2 Measuring tape 10

3 Taylor frame(small) 95

4 6’’ Scale (plastic) 4

5 Arithmetic types 15

6 Algebra types(50 types) 15

7 Braille slate (big) 80

8 I.P slate 86

9 Cross puzzle board 65

10 Plastic Stylus 3

11 Soncave Plastic Stylus 3

12 5 Line Pocket Frame 21

13 Abacas 54

14 Braille Scale (steel) 21

15 Braille Scale (p) 12’’ 10

16 5 Gold Stick 76

17 Ball 16

18 Chess Board 84

19 Signature Guide (p) 2

20 Signature Guide (a) 3

21 Playing Card 20

22 Safety Stylus (plastic) 5

23 Draft Board 65

24 Safety Stylus(metal) 10

25 Geometric Kit Rubber 216

26 V. geometric Kit Aluminum 388

27 Tactile Diagram Set 1430

28 Taylor Frame (large) 111

29 Puzzle 56

30 Bull Head Stylus 4

31 Peg in Puzzle With Coins 15

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32 Centre Peg Board 61

33 Peg Board with Coins 2434 Braille Slate (small) 7135 Talking Calculator 45036 Talking-thermometer 26537 Braille Training Board(e) 3538 4 Fold Stick (wt) 120 39 N. Stick 21040 Talking Table Clock 41541 Dominos 17042 Folding Chess Board 25043 Hindi Braille Slate 4544 Sonic Labeler 285045 Talking Watch 37046 Flex Talk (Variable Speed Recording System) 1080047 Liquid Level Indicator 87548 Mobile Talks 2300 49 Smart Cane 300050 Braille Titan Watch 110051 Elastic 2552 Kit Stylus 1053 Knob Stylus 1054 Taylor Frame (p) 13555 Braille Letter Cube 1256 8- Braille Letter Cube 5054 5 Braille Letter Cube 3555 Brain Vita 3056 Nail Puzzle 1557 Pyramid Puzzle 7558 Plot-4 17059 Match-21 17060 Cube Puzzle 8561 Drum Puzzle 8562 Titan Braille Watch 110067 Billet Board 18568 Eraser 6

69 Folding Stylus 18

70 Note Identifier 50

71 Notex 7

72 9 I P Frame (Plastic) 2573 4-Fold Stick (Nab Mumbai) 14074 Pill Box 1575 Carom Board 360076 Sudoku Puzzle 85077 Nylon Scale (P) 12’’ 1478 Abacus 8079 Needle Threaded 280 5-Fold Stick (Nab) 14081 Ludo 50082 Snake & Ladder 60083 Dice 40084 6-Fold Cane 17585 7-Fold Cane 15086 Special Cricket Ball 40

87 Note Taker 125

88 Talking Weighing 1300

FState level Braille cum talking library

NFB Karnataka also houses a Braille cum talking library at its principal office. The library caters reading and learning needs of more than thousands of visually challenged individuals throughout the state.

A wide range of Braille, talking and e- books in Kannada, English and Hindi languages are available at library.

The subjects of general interest which the library covers are history, health, Geography, Law, Literature, disability study, General Knowledge, women literature, child literature, competitive exams and reference books.

Every blind person across the state is entitled to take the membership of library just by making payment of Rs.100/- as a life membership.

Sri Mahesh Ranani may be contacted for any quarry in regard with library and aids appliances supply service on Mob: 8197900171.

FInformation & counseling service

Under this service federation manages to collect and disseminate accurate and update informations to the visually

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challenged individuals, their parents and institutions in regard with various opportunities, facilities and benefits available to them in different fields of life by the public and private sector at International, National and State level.

We make available the copies of various notifications, circulars and judgements issued by the state governments, central government and judiciary for all type of benefits to persons with visual disability. We also offer the counseling to the needy visually challenge persons in regard with carrier selection, workplace solution, legal consultation and social support.

FAdvocacy

According to census 2011 there are around 2,50,000 blind persons in the state , most of these people belong to the under privileged strata of the society. Blindness combined with poverty limits their access to education, employment, health services, etc. All these finally leads to their socio-economic exclusion.

To promote equality of this marginalized groups, to reduce their exclusion, to help them in participating in all developmental

measures, make them heard and assert their right, the NFB Karnataka has devised a well focused programme of advocacy with the support of its national leadership.

The federation undertakes the initiatives of both legal and civil advocacy in order to influence the government for improvement and modernization of public policies and practices, governing the rehabilitation, education, employment, social security and other concerns of persons with disability in general and blind in particular.

The federation also persuades the state government for effective implementation of persons with disability act 1995, UN convention of the rights of persons with disability and directions of the judiciary regarding socio-economic empowerment of persons with disability

It is also actively engaged in delivery of benefits of various welfare schemes of central and state government to maximum number of people with visual disability.

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A Decade of Success at Glance - Mr. Goutham Agarwal

General Secretary, NFB

There cannot be a more appropriate time then the occasion of 10th anniversary of our beloved organization to introspect and review what we have done in the past, whether we have achieved what we wanted to achieve, and in vision the future of our organization.

In the past 10 years, NFB Karnataka has put in place a strong base and a system for promoting education, creating employment opportunities and contributing in big way towards holistic development of visually challenged persons.

The organization has been relentlessly trying to reach the unreached.

We are passionate and proud of the fact that we are part of a national level self help organization and engaged in the welfare of visually challenged.

When we look back at how we have served our V.I. peers, we can draw some satisfaction. Of course we have tried our best to reach out to as many blind persons in the state as possible.

We have tried our best to exhibit more accountability and more cost efficiency in our service delivery.

We do realize our important role in creating an appropriate environment for the education and employment of persons with visual disability so that they can become productive and useful citizens of the society.

Globalization, automation, mechanization, out sourcing and competition has created new challenges and have compelled us to take a relook at our activities towards promotion of education and employment of persons with blindness, in accordance with available job market.

We have strongly advocated for the rights and aspirations of our visually challenged brethren.

A glance at outcome of our activities during past 10 years

a. 130 students have passed out from our efforstated two hostels after completing their education during last 10 years.

b. The aids and appliances of worth 1358500/- have been made available to around 3400 beneficiaries across the state during last 10 years.

c. 245 college going students from Karnataka have been awarded with National Scholarship of the federation during last 10 years.

d. Federation has offered the prize money of average Rs.1500/- per student to 111 students until last year who secured more than 80% marks in their last public exam.

e. The Finance of Rupees Ten Lakh, thirty thousand has been made available to the 13 visually impaired entrepreneurs of Karnataka under national self employment scheme of the federation.

f. Need base personal finance of Rs. 60,000 has been made available to three visually impaired individuals at subsidized rate of interest.

g. Legal matters of 5 V.I. individuals have been taken up and resolved.

h. 100 poorest blind persons across the state have been given financial assistance of Rs.2000/- each.

i. 315 college going students across the state have been helped to receive a C.D. player of worth around 6,000 each for the use in their study under National ADIP Scheme of union ministry of social justice and empowerment.

j. An innovative device called Daisy player of worth 11,000 (per piece) has been made available to 300 college going V.I. students across the state for helping them to pursue higher education.

k. About 450 school going visually challenged children have been assisted to receive educational kit consisting of Braille learning and writing aids worth around Rs.1000/- per kit from national institute of visually handicapped Dehradun under ADIP scheme of union ministry of social justice and empowerment.

l. In partnership with the federation National Institute of Visually Handicapped Dehradun could publish 100

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Kannada Braille books of general interest and make them available to the common visually challenged persons of Karnataka at highly subsidized and affordable price.

m. Federation also enabled Kannada book authority to publish 35 famous kannada title into Braille for making available to the institutions of and for the blind at free of cost.

n. With active support of NFB Karnataka All India Confederation of the Blind Delhi has been publishing kannada version of esteemed periodical magazine Grihshobha in Braille and distributing to around 100 visually challenged men and women across the state for last three years

o. The federation has also convinced and enabled NIVH to supply text books of PUC in Kannada medium to all visually challenged PUC students in the state.

p. In current academic year the federation is in process of printing and supplying Braille text books to all those 4.000 visually impaired children on behalf of Karnataka state project Sarvashiksha Abhiyan who study in normal schools.

q. The contribution of 20 outstanding nongovernmental organizations working for upliftment of visually challenged persons have been well recognized with NFB Excellency award of appreciation and acknowledgement.

r. Federation has been honoring many such outstanding individuals every year who have excelled and set an example of their achievements in their respective fields.

Outcome of Advocacy and lobbing

Civil Advocacy

s. As a outcome of advocacy and lobbying of the federation with Bangalore University more than 150 degree students of Bangalore university with blindness could get monthly scholarship of Rs.500/- per month and text books either in Braille or talking format.

t. As an outcome of our Civil and legal advocacy more than 400 visually challenged men and women have secured government jobs in different establishments of the state government.

u. As a result of legal intervention of the federation entry of totally blind persons could be possible in regular B.Ed. courses while earlier, the persons with more than 75%

disability were not allowed to get admission in B.Ed. course.

v. As a result of civil advocacy of the federation, the 5% job reservation quota for persons with disability in group C & D could be subdivided in different categories of disability and out of 5% , 2% could be given to persons with blindness and low vision.

w. As a result of sustained and continuous advocacy and lobbing the state government has reviewed its various schemes and undertaken some new schemes for socio economic empowerment of persons with disability. such as

i. Formulation of new scheme for financial assistance of 50,000 to those persons who weds a person with disability.

ii. New scheme of child care allowance of 2000/- per month to visually challenged mothers for two kids upto 2 years.

iii. New scheme for reimbursement of admission, tuition and examination fees of students with disability who are pursuing higher education

iv. New scheme of unemployment allowance of Rs.500 per month to those youngsters with disability who are registered in employment exchange more than 2 years, but could not be placed in any gainful employment.

v. New scheme of distributing laptops with appropriate screen reading softwares, to all college going visually challenged students.

vi. Enhancement in amount of scholarship to students with disability

vii. Review of scheme of prize money to meritorious students with disability with a multi time increment.

viii. Increment in financial assistance from Rs.35,000/- to one lakh with the purpose of correction or reduction in disability

Legal Advocacy

As a part of its legal advocacy the federation has filed several public interest litigations and writ petitions in hon’ble high court of Karnataka for challenging the discrimination with blind and low vision persons in area of employment and education.

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Some key petitions filed by the federation and their outcomes are as follows :

Sl. No. Subject & nature of the petition Out come

1 PIL petition challenging the exclusion of blind persons in recruitment of teachers at primary schools

Court directed the respondent department of public instruction to fill up minimum 49 post of teacher at primary school with visually challenged candidates against the recruitment as per the recruitment notification 2009

2 PIL petition in Karnataka high court for directing the state government to revise the list of identified jobs for persons with disability as per section 32 of persons with disability act 1995

The hon’ble high court directed the state government to adopt the list of identified jobs in all groups (A,B,C,D) notified by the government of India.

3 PIL petition in Karnataka high court challenging the exclusion of blind and low vision persons in recruitment of FDA and SDA in 2011

Hon’ble high court of Karnataka directed the state government to issue a fresh corrigendum for inviting applications of blind and low vision candidates for the recruitment in question and fill up the vacancies with persons with blindness and low vision as per their reservation quota.

4 A Writ petition was filed in Karnataka high court challenging arbitrary discrimination against persons with savior disability in giving admission to B.Ed. courses.

The court directed the state government to open the admission for persons with more than 75% blindness in all B.Ed. courses.

5 PIL petition in Karnataka high court challenging the exclusion of blind and low vision in recruitment of teaching and non teaching post in Murarji Desai and Kittur Rani Channamma residential schools by Karnataka residential Educational institution society

The court directed the society to issue a new corrigendum for inviting the applications from eligible visually challenged candidates and fill up the vacancies with them equal to their reservation quota in each cadre.

Thus we have tried our best to enable our visually challenged brothers and sisters to maximize their potential and to have all those rights that the sighted counter parts enjoy.

Let us rededicate ourselves to the service of those who are in no way less competent then we are, but who perhaps did not get the opportunity that we got.

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Louis Braille (1809-1852)

Six dots. Six bumps. Six bumps in different patterns, like constellations, spreading out over the page. What are they? Numbers, letters, words. Who made this code? None other than Louis Braille, a French 12-year-old, who was also blind. And his work changed the world of reading and writing, forever.

Louis was from a small town called Coupvray, near Paris—he was born on January 4 in 1809. Louis became blind by accident, when he was 3 years old. Deep in his Dad's harness workshop, Louis tried to be like his Dad, but it went very wrong; he grabbed an awl, a sharp tool for making holes, and the tool slid and hurt his eye. The wound got infected, and the infection spread, and soon, Louis was blind in both eyes.

All of a sudden, Louis needed a new way to learn. He stayed at his old school for two more years, but he couldn't learn everything just by listening. Things were looking up when Louis got a scholarship to the Royal Institution for Blind Youth in Paris, when he was 10. But even there, most of the teachers just talked at the students. The library had 14 huge books with raised letters that were very hard to read. Louis was impatient.

Then in 1821, a former soldier named Charles Barbier visited the school. Barbier shared his invention called "night writing,"

a code of 12 raised dots that let soldiers share top-secret information on the battlefield without even having to speak. Unfortunately, the code was too hard for the soldiers, but not for 12-year-old Louis!

Louis trimmed Barbier's 12 dots into 6, ironed out the system by the time he was 15, then published the first-ever braille book in 1829. But did he stop there? No way! In 1837, he added symbols for math and music. But since the public was skeptical, blind students had to study braille on their own. Even at the Royal Institution, where Louis taught after he graduated, braille wasn't taught until after his death. Braille began to spread worldwide in 1868, when a group of British men, now known as the Royal National Institute for the Blind, took up the cause.

Now practically every country in the world uses braille. Braille books have double-sided pages, which saves a lot of space. Braille signs help blind people get around in public spaces. And, most important, blind people can communicate independently, without needing print.

Louis proved that if you have the motivation, you can do incredible things.

Brief Life Sketch of Louis Braille

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“When you have experienced [the sacraments],

you understand all the majesty and

power of religion. I am convinced

my mission on earth has been accomplished.

- Louis Braille

“Yesterday was one of the greatest and most beautiful days of my life.

I tasted the greatest joys. God was pleased to hold before my eyes the dazzling splendors

of eternal hope. After that, doesn’t it seem

that nothing more could keep me bound to the earth? “

- Louis Braille

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What Is Braille Script?

Braille is a system of reading and writing by touch used by the blind. It consists of arrangements of dots which make up letters of the alphabet, numbers, and punctuation marks. The basic Braille symbol, called the Braille cell, consists of six dots arranged in the formation of a rectangle, three dots high and two across. Other symbols consist of only some of these six dots. The six dots are commonly referred to by number according to their position in the cell:

There are no different symbols for capital letters in Braille. Capitalization is accomplished by placing a dot 6 in the cell just before the letter that is capitalized. The first ten letters of the alphabet are used to make numbers. These are preceded by a number sign which is dots 3-4-5-6:

Thus, 1 is number sign a; 2 is number sign b; 10 is number sign a-j and 193 is number sign a-i-c:

Some abbreviations are used in standard Braille in order to reduce its bulk. These must be memorized, but most Braille readers and writers find them convenient, rather than a problem. Braille is written on heavy paper, and the raised dots prevent the pages from lying smoothly together as they would in a print book. Therefore, Braille books are quite bulky.

Today there are three methods of writing Braille, just as there are two methods of writing print. A Braille writing machine (comparable to a typewriter) has a keyboard of only six keys and a space bar, instead of one key for each letter of the alphabet. These keys can be pushed separately or altogether. If they are all pushed at the same time, they will cause six dots to be raised on the paper in the formation of a Braille cell. Pushing various combinations of the keys on the Braille writer produces different letters of the alphabet and other Braille symbols.

Writing Braille with a slate and stylus compares to writing print with a pen or pencil. The stylus is used to push dots down through the paper, while the slate serves as a guide. The Braille slate can be made of metal or plastic and is hinged so that there is a guide under the paper as well as on top of it. A person writing Braille with the slate and stylus begins at the right side of the paper and ends the line on the left, since the dots are being produced on the underside of the paper. Of course, the Braille reader reads from left to right, for the dots are then on the top side of the paper. Although this may seem

a bit confusing, it need not be at all troublesome, since both reading and writing progress through words and sentences from beginning to end in the same manner. The speed of writing Braille with the slate and stylus is about the same as the speed of writing print with pen or pencil.

Just as the personal computer has revolutionized writing in print today, it is also possible to produce Braille more easily and quickly than ever before. Assuming that the proper equipment is available, a computer user can now send a document to a standard printer to produce a paper copy in print or to a Braille embosser to produce the document in Braille. And one need not even know Braille to create this miracle.

Braille was first developed in the late 1820’s by a young Frenchman named Louis Braille. He created Braille by modifying a system of night writing which was intended for military use. He did this work as a very young man and had it complete by the time he was about eighteen. He and his friends at the school for the blind found that reading and writing dots was much faster than reading raised print letters, which could not be written by hand at all. The development of this system by young Louis Braille is now recognized as the most important single development in making it possible for the blind to get a good education.

It took more than a century, however, before people would accept Braille as an excellent way for the blind to read and write. Even today many people underestimate the effectiveness of Braille. While tapes and records are enjoyable, Braille is essential for note-taking and helpful for studying such things as math, spelling, and foreign languages.

A good braille user can read the braille at the speed of 200 to 400 words per minute.

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Government Assistance for the Visually Impaired

A Scheme of Scholarships

The Students with all types of disabilities in Karnataka who pursue their education in a main stream educational institution, are awarded with a scholarship of 10 months in each academic year. Office of District disabled Welfare in each District may be contacted for application form and other necessary informations.

As per the Government order No. WG CHW: 293: PHP: 2013, Bangalore Dated 01.02.2014 the current effective rates of monthly Scholarship for Visually Impaired Students are as under.

Course Rate of Scholarship Reader Allowance

1st – 5th Std. 100 25

6th – 10th Std. 200 25

P.U.C. 300 75

Degree/TCH 400 75

BE/MBBS/LLB 250 (Yet to be revised) 100

M.A./M.Sc/M.Com/ LLM & Equivalent

300 (Yet to be revised) 100

B. Prize money Scheme for meritorious Students with Disability

In order to recognize and encourage the academic ability of disabled students, the state Govt., offers a cash prize to those disable students who secure more than 60% marks in public Examinations such as S.S.L.C, P.U.C, Graduation & Post Graduation.

As per the Government order No. WG CHW: 324: PHP: 2013, Bangalore Dated 05.02.2014 and G.O. no.: WG CHW: 324 PHP: 2013, Bangalore dated 08.05.2014 the Amount of cash prize for various examinations are as follows

(a) SSLC Rs. 3000/-

(b) PUC Rs. 5000/-

(c) Degree / TCH Rs. 8000/-

(d) Post Graduate DegreeLike M.A./M.Com./M.Sc. etc

Rs. 10000/-

(e) PG – MBBS, PG in Engineering and Agricultural

Rs. 12000/-

Application for these awards are called for by the Asst, Director Dept of Women and Child Development in every District preferably in the month of September every Year.

C. Reservation of Seats for Disabled Students in Educational Institutions

In term of Sec.39 of persons with disabilities(equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation) Act 1995, The State Government has reserved 3% seats for disable students including blind in all educational institutions of the Government and those who receive financial aid from the State Government.

The provisions of this reservation cover all courses and faculties of schools, Colleges and Universities.

Please refer the following G.O for more informations.

G.O.No.: ED U.G.C.99 Dated 03.06.1999

Regarding 3% reservation of seats for persons with Disabilities in TCH & B.ED Courses.

G.O.No.: ED 10 STB 93 Bangalore dated 02.01.2004

D. 5% reservation for admission in pre university courses

As per the extract from the prospectus for admission and other activities in 1st year and 2nd year of pre university education, the 5% seats have been reserved for persons with disability in all courses of pre university colleges.

E. Facilities to provide scribe and extra time to Visually Impaired Students in all public examination.

The secondary education examination board and department of colligate education have granted following facilities to V.I. Students in their respective examinations.

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A. The visually impaired students are allowed to appoint scribe for writing their answers in all public exams at school, college and university level.

B. The scribe of visually impaired examinees may be senior to the examinee Provided that the faculty of both shouldn’t be same. For example a student of Msc. may write the examination of blind examinee of B.A or B. Com.,

C. One hour extra time is given to blind examinee in all public exams of 3 hours.

D. The blind students are allowed to choose optional subjects in place of maths and science at secondary school level.

Following G.O. may be referred to know more about the facilities to V.I. Students in exams.

G.O.No. Vide: ED 42 TPU 2004 dtd. 26.3.2004

ED 15 U.N.E 2004 dtd. 5.3.2004

F. Free Laptop to College going Visually Impaired Students

Free laptop to college going visually challenged students. With the view to help the visually challenged students in pursuance of their higher education, the directorate for empowerment of differently abled and senior citizens as under taken an enervative scheme of providing a hi-tech and fully assessable laptop, computer system to each visually challenged college going student across the state.

For availment of benefit of the scheme office of director for empowerment of differently able senior citizens in Bangalore or district disable welfare officers of each district may be contacted.

G. Re-imbursement of Admission, Tuition, Examination and other fees / charges to student with disabilities.

In term of its G.O. no.: WG CHW: 271 PHP: 2013, Bangalore dated 03.09.2013, the state govt. as decided to reimburse admission, tuition, examinations, lab, library, sports fees paid by students with disability to their concerned educational institutions after S.S.L.C.

The scheme is implemented by district disable welfare offices at district.

Above mentioned G.O. may be referred to know more about the scheme.

H. Child Centric scheme of grant in aid for Special Schools

In term of G.O.No. DWCD:109:PHP:2010 dated.14.12.2010, the state government offers grant in aid to nongovernmental organizations for running special schools for children with different category of disability

As per the above mentioned G.O. the grant is given for the special schools at the rate of Rs.25000/- per child including all expenses like remuneration of teaching and non teaching staff, educational expense, maintenance of building, food, clothing and other basic facilities

As per the budget speech of February 2014 the above mentioned amount has been made double however this is yet to be notifying.

The eligibility conditions for the NGO to avail this grant include the following

a. The organization should be registered under persons with disability act 1995

b. The special school should be older than 3 years

c. Minimum strength of the children at school should be 25

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The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched

- they must be felt with the heart.

- Helen Keller

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The key initiatives of the state government for employment and economic independence of persons with disabilities may be illustrated as follows:

1. Reservation of Jobs in group A & B

In terms of government order bearing No. DPAR 50 SRR 2000, dated 17th August 2005, 3% horizontal reservation has been given to the persons with disability in direct recruitment of all those jobs in group A & B which are identified as suitable for them of which 1% for each among :

a. Blind or Low Visionb. Hearing Impairedc. Loco motor disability or Several Palsy.

2. Job reservation in Group C & D

5% horizontal reservation is given to persons with disability in direct recruitment of group C & D vacancies.

As per the latest G.O. of DPAR 128 SNN 2006 dt. 1-08-2009, 5% job reservation is sub-divided in different categories of disability as under:

i. Blind/low vision – 2%ii. Hearing impaired – 1%iii. O H– 1%iv. Leprosy Cured / MR/MI/MD- 1%

3 Allocation of Roaster Points for Implementation of horizontal reservation.

As the reservation for persons with disability is horizontal in nature, so the separate roaster point have been allocated to each category of disability in 100 point roaster for due implementation of their reservation quota. As per the latest G.O. DPAR 53 SNN 2007 dt. 4.1.2008 and No.823 DPAR dtd. 10.06.2013 given roaster points are as:

Group A & B

Blind / low vision – 4

Hearing impaired – 44

Locomotor disability or Several palsy - 84.

Group C & D

Blind / Low vision – 4 & 24

Hearing impaired – 44

OH – 64

Others – 84.

4. Relaxation in upper age limit for Government Jobs:

Relaxation of 10 years has been granted to the persons with disability in upper age limit to join the government service. Please refer the extract from Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules 1977, (As on February 2006) (Amendment upto December 2005 incorporated).

5. Provision of scribe for writing the exam of blind/low vision candidates in competitive exams of Govt. of Karnataka:

In term of Government order No: CASE 74 SNN 2006 DTD 30.10.2007, the Karnataka public service commission (KPSC) allows blind / low vision candidates to take the help of a scribe for writing their competitive exams.

As per the said G.O. extra time of 10 minutes per hour is also granted to the candidates in all competitive exams.

6. Exemption from Application Fees for Competitive Exams

In term of government order No. DPAR 142 SRR 2006 dated 5.11.2007 persons with disability are exempted from payment of application fees for any competitive exam held by government of Karnataka for direct recruitment

7. Exemption to the blind persons from passing the TCH Exams

In term of G.O.No:- SKE 79 PHP 92 Bangalore, Dtd:25-1-1999 blind persons are exempted from passing the TCH exam to become the teacher in special blind schools.

Employment Schemes

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8. Provision for application of job reservation for person with disability in govt. aided, private institutions

In term of G.O. No.WCD.08.PHP.2006 dated 9th November 2006 and DPAR 235 SRR 2012 dtd. 27.11.2012 containing amendment in persons with disability (Karnataka rules 2003), the job reservation for persons with disability applies to all those private institutions who receive financial aid from the state government.

9. Service rules for appointment of blind person in government run special residential schools for blind

In term of G.O. No. DPAR/101/SRD/98(P), Bangalore Dated 1st April, 2004, Special rules have been made for appointment of blind persons as a mobility inspector and music teacher in government run special residential schools for blind children’s.

10. Reservation in allotment of Industrial Sites for Disabled Entrepreneurs

in term of extract of resolution passed by Karnataka Area Industrial Development Board in its 275th meetings held on 24.08.2006, 3% sites in all layouts of K.I.A.D.B. are reserved for entrepreneur with disabilities and subsidy of 40% subject to a maximum of Rs.5,00,000/- in value of the site is also extended to them.

11. Unemployment allowance to unemployed person with disability:

State government has announced new scheme from the financial year 2014-15 to provide monthly amount of Rs.500/- as unemployment allowance to those persons with disability who are registered in employment exchange for more than 2 years but could not be placed in any gainful employment. Age of the beneficiary under the scheme should be between 25 to 45 years.

The scheme is to be implemented shortly.

Special benefits to the government employees with disability

Government of Karnataka has granted some special facilities and relaxations to its employees with disability. which are as under:

• Restriction on the transfers of disabled employees

In term of G.O No:-DPAR 94 Dtd: 5-9-1985, state government maintains that the disabled employees shall not be transferred

under general transfer rules and in circumstances when the transfer of disabled employee becomes unavoidable, the government shall extend all basic amenities to the concerned employees at the process of transfer.

• Conveyance Allowance to Blind & Orthopedically Handicapped Employees

In term of G.O. no.:FD 31 SRP 2007(1) dtd.14.8.2008

Visually challenged and Orthopedically challenged employees of the state govt. are entitled to get Monthly conveyance allowance equivalent to 6% of their basic pay.

The provision of conveyance allowance applies to govt. aided private institutions too.

• Reservation in allotment of government quarters

In term of Para 7 (11) of Government order No.PWD/245/PPM 96 dated 22.1.99, 2% reservation is given to govt. officers / employees with disabilities in allotment of government quarters.

As per the said G.O. it is also maintained that the employees with disabilities would be allotted the quarters at ground floor.

• Exemption to the blind persons from payment of Professional Tax

In term of G.O. No. FD 16 CPT 79, dated 13th November 1981, the blind employees and self employed persons with blindness are fully exempted from the payment of professional tax.

o

Confidence imparts a wonderful

inspiration to its possessor

- John Milton

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NFB - a Movement for Rights of PWD’s

A movement for protection of rights of persons with disabilities and an organization for empowerment of the persons with visual disability

The concept of the National Federation of the Blind sprouted in the year 1970, in its infancy christened as “National Federation of the Blind Graduates” was mainly formed with a vision to focus and highlight on the right platform, various issues that were dogging the visually impaired.The society in general was unaware and ignorant about the latent talent and capabilities of the Visually Impaired people who constitute a considerable section in the society, yet there was discrimination and apathy almost to the extent of being considered a burden on the society in general and the respective families in particular. A little while later, to be precise, in 1973 the word “The National Federation of the Blind” and the membership of the body was kept open for all. The principle guiding philosophy of the organization is aptly “Let the Blind lead the Blind”, which remained the unique feature of the federation.

The prime guidelines those are embedded in the working of the organization are the following:-

• To work towards establishing and providing all the required special facilities for the education of the Visually Challenged.

• Provide the complete infrastructure to impart training for the Vision Impaired in employment generation trades and schemes.

• To identify and guide the Visually Handicapped seeking suitable employment in Government as well as Private Sectors.

• Facilitate and provide financial assistance to Visually Challenged for self employment projects.

• To create awareness in the society about the ability, potential and talent of the blind.

• Build and provide a platform for the overall empowerment and rehabilitation of the blind by formulation and implementation of various activities and programmes.

National Federation of the Blind is a movement for protection of rights of persons with visual disability

Despite the executive orders in favor of 1% exclusive reservation for the blind out of the overall 3% for the 3 categories of disabled persons in the group C and D jobs in the Government sector due to the prevailing negative mindset of the authorities about the potential of the disabled the orders are not being considered seriously and implemented earnestly.

A legal sanction for the implementation of these orders has become a dire necessity, which in turn is difficult, if not impossible. To work in that direction the Federation felt that a comprehensive legislation to give legal protection to all such Government Orders is needed and as such the government should be requested to enact and execute such a binding legislation at the earliest.

With a view to draw the attention and pressurize the Government the Federation decided to take out a procession on the 16th of March 1980 in Delhi. Incidentally 1980 was the International Year for Disabled Persons as proclaimed by the United Nations.

A great number of protestors joined the procession lead by Mr. S.K. Rungta and other prominent members of the Federation and the society started their peaceful march from Jantar Mantar to the Prime Minister’s residence with an intention to submit a charter of demands, but the procession was rudely halted and the participants were brutally beaten up by the police. The peaceful blind participants in the procession became the hapless victims of ruthless and inhuman police action that left many grievously injured protestors. This brutal action by the Delhi Police came in for severe condemnation and criticism from across the country and the world over, that incident was prominently featured in the headlines of the print media, the then prime minister late Shrimati Indira Gandhi had to apologize publicly as well as in the Parliament for this heinous action of Delhi Police. She had also invited a delegation to discuss the matter and bring about a solution. This group lead by the General Secretary Mr. S.K. Rungta met with the Prime Minister and convinced the government to constitute a working group to draft a legislation and the government also agreed to circulate a recommendation to all the state governments to implement an executive order issued in 1978

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Social Security Benefits

l Monthly Maintenance Allowance to poor Persons with Disabilities

In term of G.O. No.: RD 74, DSP:2013 Bangalore, dated 30.08.2013, The state government offers monthly maintenance allowance to all poor persons with disability.

Monthly Allowance of Rs. 1200/- is paid to those poor persons whose disability is above 75% and Rs. 500/- to those whose disability is between 40% to 75%.

The scheme is implemented through revenue office at each block under ministry of rural development and panchayat raj.

The mentioned G.O. may be referred or revenue office at is block may be approached to know more about the scheme.

l Scheme of Financial Assistance to person with disability to purchase assistive devices

In term of G.O. No: SWL 199 PHP 91, Bangalore Dtd: 5.2.1992, the Directorate for empowerment of differently abled and senior citizen offers financial assistance to the persons with disability for purchase of assistive devices of their daily use.

Various assistive devices for use of different category of disability are covered under the scheme.

The scheme is implemented through district disable welfare officers at each district.

l Scheme of Financial Assistance for Disability corrective Surgeries

In term of G.O. No.: WG CHW: 114: PHP: 2014, Bangalore Dated 07.06.2014, the directorate for empowerment of differently abled and senior citizens expense financial assistance upto Rs. 100000/- to person with disability for surgical correction and deduction in there disability.

As per the above mentioned G.O. the surgery for correction and deduction in disability in govt. hospitals and well reputed private hospital and post surgery medication are covered under the scheme.

Office of director for empowerment of differently abled and senior citizens may be contacted to know more about the scheme.

l Reservation to person with disabilities in housing schemes

In term of G.O. No. HD 206 HAH, dtd.24.6.2002, 5% reservation is extended to houseless persons with disability under all housing schemes of the state government such as Rural Asharay Housing Scheme, Ambedkar housing scheme and scheme of housing for special professionals.

All these schemes are implemented by Rajeev Gandhi Rural Housing Corporation.

The applications may be made for benefit under all such schemes through district disabled welfare offices at concerned district.

l Reservation of 3% of the fund under all poverty alleviation schemes

In term of Notification No: WCD 08 PHP 2006 DTD., 9TH NOVEMBER 2006, and G.O. No.: WG CHW 96 PHP 2011 dated 11.03.2011, 3% of the budget of rural development and panchayat raj for schemes of educational, social, economic and medical up liftment, has been earmarked for person with disability.

l Reservation in allotment of residential cites of B.D.A

In term of letter of principal secretary to the government department of urban development wide its number UDE 195.2001 dt. 20.9.2001 written to state commissioner for persons with disability, the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has provides 2% reservation to persons with disability in allotment of all its residential cites.

Reference: Letter of Principal Secretary to the Government Department of Urban Development to State Commissioner for Persons with Disability wide No.

l Facility of free travel to totally blind persons in KSRTC Buses

The KSRTC has extended free Travel facilities to the totally Blind persons on the strength of Identity –cum-free passes

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issued to them by the KSRTC.

The various provisions with regard to use this facility are as under:

1. The facility of free travel to totally blind persons is available in City Services, suburban services, mofusil ordinary buses and mofussil express busses.

Reference: No.430 dated 6.6.1997.

2. Rs.2/- shall be charged to issue a pass to a blind person for free travel.

Reference: 245 dated. 30.3.1970

3. Necessary instructions with regard to use the facility of free travel

a. A totally blind person shall have to apply for free travel pass cum identity card in a prescribed format accompanied by two pass ports size photograph and certificate of blindness issued by a competent authority

b. Lugguage upto 20kg to adults and 10kg to children with free pass is admissible at free of charge.

c. The pass holders shall carry the pass while travelling in the KSRTC busses and shall produce the same on demand by any authorized official of the Corporation failing which fare and penalty prescribed for the Journey will be recovered.

d. The pass holder shall travel at his own risk and subject to the availability of accommodation in the bus.

e. Travel on mutilated pass, misuse of pass or un-authorized alteration on the pass will yielded confiscation and cancellation of pass.

f. A pass does not confer on the holder of the pass any right either to enter a bus “Which is full or may preference over other persons waiting at the bus stop.

g. Begging or causing nuisance of any kind inside the bus is prohibited. In case the pass holder is found to be indulging in the act of begging in the bus or bus station premises the pass will be

confiscated and he will not be issued with a free pass thereafter.

h. In case of loss of the Identity Card cum pass a duplicate will be issued subject to payment of Rs. 5/- (Rupees five only).

Reference: GENERAL STANDING ORDER NO.340 dt. 15.1.1986

4. The validity of Identity cum free pass shall be 3 years.

Reference : General standing order No. 399 dt. 8.3.1994

5. Facilities of free travel in KSRTC busses is extended throughout the state of Karnataka. In case of interstate services the facility of free travel shall be allowed up to the border of the state.

Reference : General standing order No. 374 dt. 4.5.1981

6. Reservation of seats for physically handicapped in KSRTC buses:- Two seats located in left side near to front door have been reserved for physically handicapped passengers in all city and suburban services

Refernce : GSO NO. 714 dt. 12.5.1997

l Facilities to the totally blind passengers in BMTC buses

Bangalore metropolitan transport corporation (BMTC) has granted the following facilities to its totally blind travellers

1. Facility of free travel in all services of the BMTC including Vaayuvajra (Volvo) service on production of free travel passes issued by the KSRTC

2. 2 seats have been reserved in all ordinary busses of BMTC for physically handicapped travellers including blind, out of which one seat is for male physically challenged and one for female physically challenged

Reference : A. General standing order of KSRTC dtd.641/2010

B. Cirucular No. of BMTC dtd 35/99

c. Modified order of BMTC No. 433/2009-10 dtd. 18.05.20

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l Scheme of Rural Rehabilitation of persons with disability

In term of wide No. DWCD 237 PHP 2007 dtd.16.8.2007, the state government has undertaken an ambitious scheme of comprehensive development of persons with disability residing in rural areas. Under this scheme the person with disability have been appointed as village Rehabilitation worker at panchayat level and multitask rehabilitation worker at Taluk level. In order to respond the special needs of persons with disability in area of rehabilitation, education, employment and social security

The scheme is being implemented in each taluk all over the state

l 2% reservation for institutions for persons with disability in allotment of civic amenity (CA) sites of BDA

In term of G.O. No. UDD74MNJ2009 dated 20.04.2010, BDA provides 2% reservation to NGO working for the welfare of persons with disability in allotment of civic Aminity (C.A) sites.

l Marriage incentive to the couple incase a normal person weds to a person with disability

In term of G.O. No. DWCD: 261:PHP:2013 Bangalore- Date: 28.08.2013 the directorate for empowerment of differently abled and senior citizens has undertaken an innovative scheme under which amount of Rs.50,000/- is deposited for minimum 5 years to the joint account of such a couple where a normal person gets marriage to a person with disability

After completion of 5 year it will depend on mutual discussion of the couple to continue the FD or to en cash the same.

l Child care allowance to mothers with blindness

In term of G.O. No. DWCD: 265: PHP 2013 dated. 28.8.2013 the directorate for empowerment of differently abled and senior citizens has undertaken an innovative scheme under which the blind mothers are given monthly child care allowance of Rs.2000/- for care of their child from birth to 2 years and the same benefit can be avail for 2 children.

For availment of the benefit of the scheme the annual income of the family of the blind mother should not exceed Rs.2.50 lakhs.

l Additional casual leaves to female employees of the state government who are having child with disability

In term of G.O. No. DPAR 1 SRR:2011 dtd 29.6.2011 a female employee of state government having a disabled child is allowed extra casual leaves upto 15 days in a calendar year for necessary care of her child with disability.

l Allocation of Rs.10 lakh per annum for development of persons with disability out of MLA local area development fund

l In term of G.O. No. PD 79 UVV 2011 Bangalore dtd. 8-9-2011 it is obligatory for each member of legislative assembly in Karnataka to spend Rs.10 lakh to providing assistive devices to persons with disability out of his/her fund received for local area development.

MISCELLANEOUS

1. Financial Assistance to the Sports persons with disability

In term of G.O. No.: MMA: 282: PHP: 96 (Part – II) Dtd: 18-9-96 the state government has formulated a scheme called “Sadhane Scheme” , under which financial assistance of Rs. 30,000/- is offerd to such sports persons with disability who participate in any sports event at National or International level.

2. Maximum income ceiling for availment of benefit of various social security schemes

In term of G.O. No. : MMA/211/PHP/98 Bangalore dtd: 24-11-98 , the income ceiling of beneficiary or his/her parents for availment of benefit of various social security schemes has been fixed as under :

• For Rural area – Rs.11,000/-

• Urban area – Rs24,000/- per annum.

3. Exemption from maximum limit of income for availment of benefit of various special scheme by persons with disability

In term of G.O. No.: DWCD 473 PHP 2001, Bangalore Dtd: 28-6-2002, the beneficiaries with disability are exempted from the provision of maximum income ceiling for availment of benefit of some special schemes. Such as scholarship, free bus travel and financial assistance for disability prevention and correction surgeries.

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4. Disposal of the files of persons with disability with in a time limit

In term of G.O. vide No.: MMA/166/PHP/2004 Dtd: 5-5-2004, The chief secretary to the state government has instructed the all departments and authorities of the state government for disposal of matters of persons with disability with in a time limit of one month.

5. State Award of Felicitation in disability sector

State government has instituted following awards of felicitation for those individuals and institutions who have made a significant contribution in empowerment of persons with disability.

Best Social Service Award

Key features of the award

a. The award is offered to six individuals and one institution for their outstanding contribution in service of persons with disability

b. A Cash prize of Rs. 15,000/- and Rs. 25,000/- is given to each individual and institution respectively.

c. The awards are given away on the occasion of world disabled day.

References:

• G.O. No.: SWL: 153: PHP: 91 Dt: 25-7-1992

• G.O. No.: MMA: 416: PHP: 97 Dt: 23-7-1998

• G.O. No.: MMA: 552: PHP: 2000(Sunday) Dt: 2-12-2000

• G.O. No.: MME: 554: PHP: 2001 Dt: 2-12-2001

• G.O. No.: MMA: 647: PHP: 2002, Bangalore Dt: 18-2-2003

B. State Award for outstanding Teachers with Disabilities.

Key features of the Award

1. Five best teachers with disability from special schools for disabled either run or aided by the state government are felicitated on the day of Karnataka Rajyothsava (1st November)

2. Cash prize of Rs. 10,000/- along with a medal and certificate of appreciation are given to the awardees.

References :

• G.O. No.: MMA 383: PHP 2001 Bangalore Dtd: 28-8-2001

• G.O. No.: 382: PHP 2001, Bangalore Dtd: 28-8-2001

General Rules for all awards

a. Notification to invite the applications is circulated in leading news papers generally in the month September

b. Special award committee has been set up under the chairmanship of principal secretary to the government department of women and child development for selection of the awardees.

6. Appointment of deputy commissioners of all districts as Deputy commissioner for Disables

In term of G.O. No. No/WCD/434/PHP/98 dtd. 6/11/99, Deputy Commissioners of all districts in Karnataka have also been designated as deputy commissioner for persons with disability for addressing the problems and grievances of persons with disability at local level. o

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Main causes of Visual Impairment:

• Cataract

• Trachoma

• Onchocerciasis (river blindness)

• Childhood blindness

• Refractive errors and low vision

• Diabetic retinopathy

• Glaucoma

• Age related macular degeneration

• Corneal opacities

• Genetic eye diseases

Some of these diseases, such as trachoma and river blindness, are prevalent primarily in less developed areas of the world where there are also specific environmental hazards.

In many middle income and industrialized countries, three other eye conditions have emerged as potential threats to the status of sight of their populations. The increase of diabetes among many population groups has caused diabetic retinopathy to be added to the priority list, while glaucoma, an eye disease known for centuries, remains on the public health agenda due to difficulties in its early diagnosis and frequent necessity of life long treatment. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) ranks third among the global causes of visual impairment with a blindness prevalence of 8.7%. It is the primary cause of visual deficiency in industrialized countries. An emerging important cause of visual impairment is uncorrected refractive errors.

Cataract / Bilateral Cataract

Definition: Cataract is clouding of the lens of the eye which impedes the passage of light. Although most cases of cataract are related to the ageing process, occasionally children can be born with the condition, or a cataract may develop after eye injuries, inflammation, and some other eye diseases.

Magnitude: According to the latest assessment, age related cataract is responsible for 48% of world blindness, which

represents about 18 million people. Although cataracts can be surgically removed, in many countries surgical services are inadequate, and cataract remains the leading cause of blindness. As people in the world live longer, the number of people with cataract is growing. Cataract is also an important cause of low vision in both developed and developing countries. Even where surgical services are available, low vision associated with cataract may still be prevalent, as a result of the long period spent waiting for operations and barriers to surgical uptake, such as cost, lack of information, and transportation problems.

Trachoma

Definition: Trachoma is one of the oldest infectious diseases known to mankind. It is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis - a microorganism which spreads through contact with eye discharge from the infected person (on towels, handkerchiefs, fingers, etc.) and through transmission by eye-seeking flies. After years of repeated infection, the inside of the eyelid may be scarred so severely that the eyelid turns inward and the lashes rub on the eyeball, scarring the cornea (the front of the eye). If untreated, this condition leads to the formation of irreversible corneal opacities and blindness.

Magnitude: Trachoma affects about 84 million people of whom about 8 million are visually impaired. It was once endemic in most countries. It is responsible, at present, for more than 3% of the world‘s blindness but the number keeps changing due to the effect of socio-economic development and current control programmes for this disease. In spite of this, Trachoma continues to be hyper endemic in many of the poorest and most remote poor rural areas of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Australia and the Middle East. The sequelae of active Trachoma appear in young adulthood and in middle-aged persons. In hyper endemic areas active disease is most common in pre-school children with prevalence rates as high as 60-90%. It often strikes the most vulnerable members of communities-women and children. Adult women are at much greater risk of developing the blinding complication of Trachoma than adult men. This increased risk has been explained by the fact that women generally spend a greater time in close contact with small children, who are the main reservoir of infection.

Causes and Types of Blindness

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Onchocerciasis (river blindness)

Definition: Onchocerciasis is an insect-borne disease caused by a parasite Onchocerca volvulus and transmitted by black flies of the species Simulium Damnosum. Onchocerciasis is often called “river blindness” because the black fly which transmits the disease abounds in fertile riverside areas, that frequently remain uninhabited for fear of infection. O. Volvulus is almost exclusively a parasite of man. Adult worms live in nodules in a human body where the female worms produce high numbers of first-stage larvae known as microfilariae. They migrate from the nodules to the sub-epidermal layer of the skin where they can be ingested by black flies. They further develop in the body of the insect from which more people can be infected. Eye lesions in humans are caused by microfilariae. They can be found in all internal tissues of the eye - except the lens - where they cause eye inflammation, bleeding, and other complications that ultimately lead to blindness.

Magnitude: Onchocerciasis is a major cause of blindness in many African countries. As a public health problem, the disease is most closely associated with West and Central Africa, but it is also prevalent in Yemen and six countries in Latin America. Onchocerciasis has in the past greatly reduced the economic productivity in infected areas and left vast tracts of arable land.

Childhood Blindness

Definition: Childhood blindness refers to a group of diseases and conditions occurring in childhood or early adolescence, which, if left untreated, result in blindness or severe visual impairment that are likely to be untreatable later in life. The major causes of blindness in children vary widely from region to region, being largely determined by socioeconomic development, and the availability of primary health care and eye care services. In high-income countries, lesions of the optic nerve and higher visual pathways predominate as the cause of blindness, while corneal scarring from measles, vitamin A deficiency, and the use of harmful traditional eye remedies, ophthalmia neonatorum, and rubella cataract are the major causes in low-income countries. Retinopathy of prematurity is an important cause in middle-income countries. Other significant causes in all countries are congenital abnormalities, such as cataract, glaucoma, and hereditary retinal dystrophies.

Magnitude: According to Gilbert and Foster, the prevalence of blindness in children varies according to socioeconomic development and under-5 mortality rates. In low-income countries with high under-5 mortality rates, the prevalence

may be as high as 1.5 per 1000 children, while in high-income countries with low under-5 mortality rates, the prevalence is around 0.3 per 1000 children. Using this correlation to estimate the prevalence of blindness in children, the number of blind children in the world is approximately 1.4 million. Approximately three-quarters of the world‘s blind children live in the poorest regions of Africa and Asia.

Refractive errors and low vision

Definition: Refractive errors include myopia (short-sightedness) and hyperopia (long-sightedness) with or without astigmatism (when the eye can sharply image a straight line lying only in one meridian).

For low vision, the following two definitions are in use:

(WHO) Low vision is visual acuity less than 6/18 and equal to or better than 3/60 in the better eye with best correction.

(Low Vision Services or Care) a person with low vision is one who has impairment of visual functioning even after treatment and/or standard refractive correction, and has a visual acuity of less than 6/18 to light perception, or a visual field less than 10 degrees from the point of fixation, but who uses, or is potentially able to use, vision for the planning and/or execution of a task for which vision is essential.

Magnitude: Recent studies have confirmed the existence of a large burden of uncorrected refractive errors, although the interventions required are significantly cost effective, and have an important impact on economic development and quality of life. Severe refractive errors have been estimated to account for about 5 million blind people. According to the most recent data available to WHO, there are an estimated 124 million people in the world with low vision. About a fourth of these would benefit from low vision services.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Definition: Diabetic retinopathy is composed of a characteristic group of lesions found in the retina of individuals having had Diabetes Mellitus for several years. The abnormalities that characterise Diabetic Retinopathy occur in predictable progression with minor variations in the order of their appearance. Diabetic retinopathy is considered to be the result of vascular changes in the retinal circulation. In the early stages vascular occlusion and dilations occur. It progresses into a proliferative retinopathy with the growth of new blood

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vessels. Macular Oedema (the thickening of the central part of the retina) can significantly decrease visual acuity.

Magnitude: There are important differences over the past few decades in diagnosis, medical care, socio-economic factors and other risk factors that influence the prevalence and geographic distribution of diabetes and retinopathy as well. It is estimated that in 2002 diabetic retinopathy accounted for about 5% of world blindness, representing almost 5 million blind. As the incidence of diabetes gradually increases, there is the possibility that more individuals will suffer from eye complications which, if not properly managed, may lead to permanent eye damage.

Glaucoma

Definition: Glaucoma can be regarded as a group of diseases that have as a common end point a characteristic optic neuropathy which is determined by both structural change and functional deficit. The medical understanding of the nature of Glaucoma has changed profoundly in the past few years and a precise comprehensive definition and diagnostic criteria are yet to be finalised. There are several types of Glaucoma, however, the two most common are primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), having a slow and insidious onset, and angle closure glaucoma (ACG), which is less common and tends to be more acute.

Magnitude: The number of persons estimated to be blind as a result of primary glaucoma is 4.5 million, accounting for slightly more than 12% of all global blindness. Risk factors are those limited to the onset of disease and those associated with progressive worsening in already established disease. The primary risk factors that are linked to the individual and the onset of the disease are age and genetic predisposition. The incidence of POAG rises with age and its progression is more frequent in people of African origin. ACG is the common form of glaucoma in people of Asian origin.

Age related Macular Degeneration

Definition: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition affecting people over the age of 50 and involves the loss of the person‘s central field of vision. It occurs when the macular (or central) retina develops degenerative lesions. It is thought that circulatory insufficiency, with reduction in

the blood flow to the macular area, also plays a part. Several forms of AMD exist.

Magnitude: Globally, AMD ranks third as a cause of visual impairment with a blindness prevalence of 8.7%. It is the primary cause of visual impairment in industrialized countries. The main risk factor is ageing. Other risk factors may include the use of tobacco, genetic tendencies, the degree of pigmentation (with light coloured eyes being at higher risk), arterial hypertension, the ultraviolet rays, and consumption of a non-balanced diet.

Bilateral Corneal Opacities

Definition: Corneal visual impairment encompasses a wide variety of infectious and inflammatory eye diseases that cause scarring of the cornea, the clear membrane that covers the outside of the eye. Significant scarring ultimately leads to functional vision loss.

Magnitude: The 4th leading cause of blindness globally (5.1%), corneal blindness is one of the major causes of visual deficiency after cataract, glaucoma and age related macular degeneration (AMD). Trachoma is responsible for nearly 4.9 million blind, mainly as a result of corneal scarring and vascularization. Ocular trauma and corneal ulcerations are significant causes of corneal blindness. They are often underreported but they are estimated at 1.5 to 2.0 million new cases of unilateral blindness every year. Among the causes of childhood blindness (approximately 1.5 million cases in the world and 5 million children with visual impairment) appear xerophthalmia (350,000 cases per year), new-born conjunctivitis, and rarer ocular infections like herpes and kerato conjunctivitis.

Genetic eye diseases

Definition: Genetic eye diseases include a large number of ocular pathologies which have in common the transmission from parents to children by their genetic inheritance. All do not cause visual impairment.

Magnitude: Knowledge about genetic eye diseases has increased dramatically during the last twenty years. Although there are no global statistics which let us know the extent of the burden of visual impairment from genetic causes, it does seem that genetic eye pathology represents a significant percentage of the causes of blindness in industrialized countries.

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Through the Centuries, blindness and the blinding disease were regarded as part of mankind‘s unhappy lot, but such fatalism can no longer exist.

As per WHO report “Every five seconds an individual in the world goes blind. Globally there are nearly 45 million blind people and almost 135 million with low vision, a total of 180 million people with some degree of visual disability. Nine out of the ten who are blind live in developing countries”. Yet more than half of the global blindness is preventable.

With proper treatment by drugs and surgery sight could be restored to millions who are now losing it. Preventive measures can ensure that in the future the numbers of the blind will be less than what it is today. Prevention and treatment of blindness and eye diseases in a large country like ours, especially when there are areas where population is scattered or scarce and above all when the climate may bring harsh weather in some seasons presents special problems. India is rash populous, mainly inhabited by rural areas where adequate eye care is scarce. It is but clear that every year millions fall prey to blindness due to want of timely ophthalmic aids and services.

In our country the summer season after winter is from April-May to June-July. During summer the eye flu or influenza, conjunctivitis, trachoma, become endemic or epidemic. To avoid these eye ailments eyes should be washed with clean and cold water many times during the day and before going to bed.

Ultra-violet rays of the burning sun have harmful effect on the eyes, these may lead to Cataract. To avoid the scorching sun “Sunglasses” should be used if you have to go out in the sun. If proper eye health care is taken one can be safe from the eye diseases during summer season.

Visual impairment and blindness are not a public health problem alone. Socioeconomic, cultural and various human factors also play major role. They have to be tackled. Blindness is a major public health problem in most developing countries where eye care facilities are still limited. It is one of the most common forms of disabilities widely prevalent in South East Asian Countries. India is the first country in the world to launch “National Programme for Control of Blindness” (NPCB) in

1976. About 80% cases of blindness are avoidable (either treatable or preventable). This programme is running under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme with the help of Ministry of Health, Government of India . It provides Grant for Equipments, Cataract Operations and other activities related to preventing blindness.

Tips for preventing Blindness:

• In old age there is a reduction in the secretion of tears which play an important role in the protection of the eyes. Each time we blink, the eyelids wash the eye with the tears secreted. Tears act as a lubricant and keep the eyes clean and moist. To prevent drying, one should frequently wash the eyes with clean cold water.

• If Cataract is detected early some improvement is vision can be achieved by wearing glasses. But this vision can only be temporary. The person may eventually need surgery. There are 2 types of surgery for Cataract.

1. Conventional type of surgery where the eye lens is removed and the patient is advised to wear spectacles with thick lenses after 6 weeks.

2. Intra-Ocular Lens (IOL) Surgery where an artificial lens is placed from where the natural lens was removed.

• Glaucoma is mostly treated by medicines to reduce the pressure within the eyeball. Sometimes surgery may be needed.

• Early detection and treatment of retinopathy can slow or correct the potential problems in the vast majority of cases. Because symptoms are often missing, the best detection is a professional eye check up. A yearly eye examination for all people with diabetes is essential. Recent advances in laser surgery have greatly improved the prognosis for those with retinopathy. Laser surgery is so precise that leaks in blood vessels can be stopped or diseased tissue on the retina destroyed. The procedure is usually painless and without complications. Laser

Prevention of Blindness

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surgery cannot restore vision that has already been lost. For this reason, detecting and treating diabetic retinopathy early is the best way to prevent vision loss. Undetected and untreated retinopathy can cause blindness, and this is very sad, because 90% of such blindness is preventable.

• Proper vision ensures better quality of life. Most problems relating to the eye are either preventable or treatable and old people should not accept failing sight as part of becoming old. The following points are important.

• Yearly check-up of the eyes.

• Sufficient light while reading and writing.

• Avoid watching television constantly.

• Avoid looking directly at the sun.

• Avoid self-medication (especially eye-drops) for eye problems.

• Once glasses are prescribed they should be used constantly.

Pledge your Eyes

Eye Donation – Some Facts

Do you know that our eyes live even after our death? Do you know that we can light the life of a blind person by donating our eyes after our death? Do you know that eye donation is the noblest of all causes?

The Eye Bank obtains, evaluates and distributes eyes received as donations from good-minded people for use in corneal transplantation, research and education. This is done with utmost care taking into account patient safety by adopting strict medical standards. While eyes that are found suitable for corneal transplantation are used for corneal transplantation, other eyes received that are not suitable for transplantation, are also put to good use as these are used for research and education.

Magnitude of the problem of blindness in India

We have an estimated 4.6 million people with corneal blindness that is curable through corneal transplantation with eyes received by as donations. Out of this, an estimated 4.6 million are 90% of the people with corneal blindness are below the

age of 45 years including some 4.5 million below the tender age of 12. More than 90% of the corneal transplantation is carried out successfully in restoring vision to people with corneal blindness. Including infants born with cloudy cornea, corneal transplantation can make a big difference to the rest of their lives. Your beloved ones thus live and light up the lives of others even after death.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can be eye donors?

Any good-minded human being from the age of 7 years can be a donor without any maximum limit for donating the eye. All one needs to do is bequeath his or her eyes by taking a simple pledge to donate the eye after death. While taking a pledge during ones lifetime itself is a noble deed, it requires the support of the relatives or friends to carry out the wishes of eye donation of the deceased. They need to call up the Eye Bank immediately as the eye needs to be removed within a maximum of six hours of death. People using spectacles, diabetes and hypertensive can also make eye donation.

Can the next of kin consent to a donation if the deceased person has not signed an eye donation form?

Yes, the relatives of the deceased can decide on the eye donation of their loved one.

How to make the eye donation?

The relatives of the deceased person can donate the eyes of their loved ones immediately after the death. As explained already, the eyes need to be collected within six hours of death.

• Keep both eyes of the deceased person closed and cover them with moist cotton.

• Switch off the ceiling fan, if any, directly over the deceased person.

• If possible, apply antibiotic eye drops periodically in the deceased‘s eyes to reduce the chance of any infection.

• Raise the head of the deceased by about six inches, to reduce the chances of bleeding at the time of removal of the eyes

Who cannot donate their eyes?

A person‘s whose death is due to unknown causes, or due to infections like rabies, syphilis, infectious hepatitis, septicemia, and AIDS, cannot be a donor.

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What is a cornea?

The cornea is the clear, transparent dome in front of the “black portion” of the eye. It is also the main focusing surface, which converges light rays as they enter the eye to focus on the retina. It is thus the most important part of the optical apparatus of the Eye. Loss of transparency directly results in loss of vision.

How does a cornea become opaque?

The cornea can become opaque due to:

• Infection

• Injuries

• Iatrogenic (Malpractice, Improper Post-op. care after any eye surgery)

• Malnutrition

• Congenital/Hereditary

What is corneal transplantation?

A Corneal transplant is an operation that replaces the opaque cornea with a clear cornea obtained from a human donor.

Are there any religious conflicts in eye donation?

There are no religious conflicts on eye donation. Eye donation gives a gift of life or sight to others. As such, it is consistent with beliefs and attitudes of all major religious and ethical traditions.

Will eye donation cause delays in funeral arrangement?

No, Eye removal is performed within half an hour after death and leaves no disfiguring, that would interfere with common funeral practices.

Is the whole eye of the donor transplanted?

No, only the cornea is transplanted. However, the rest of the eye is used for research and education purposes.

Can a person who is blind due to retinal or optic nerve disease donate his eyes?

Yes, provided the cornea of the donor is clear.

Can a living person donate his eyes?

No, donation from living persons is not accepted.

Will the recipient be informed of the donor‘s details?

No, the gift of sight is made anonymously.

How long will you take to reach?

Our team is trained to leave the hospital within 15 minutes from the time of the call and depending on the distance, will reach within a maximum of one hour.

Sl. No.

Place Name of the Eye Bank

Contact No.

Bangalore Dr.Rajkumar Eye Bank 3325311

Kishinchand Chellaram Eye Bank

6707176, 6701398

Netrajyoti International Eye Bank

2235005, 2237628

Prabha Eye Clinic Eye Bank

644131, 644141, 6637041

Sri Sathya Sai Hospital

8452330, 8453058

Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Institute

+91-80- 2240200, 2240736

Minto Eye Bank +91-80- 6701398, 6701646

Lions Eye Bank +91-80- 2235005/7628

2. Bijapur Lions Eye Foundation 22235, 20535

3. Hubli S.G.M.Eye Bank 372325

4. Kollegal Kollegal Eye Bank 22230

5. Manipal O.E.U.Institute of Ophthalmology

71201 extn.2378,2369

6. Mysore Mysore Eye Bank & Research Centre

25395, 489216,482598

List of Eye Banks in karnataka

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Higher education means the education beyond the level of secondary education. It is often assumed that education imparted by the colleges or universities are higher education. However , it also includes Professional Schools in the field of Law, Theology, Medicine, Business, Music and Art, other institutions like Teacher’s Training School and Technological Institutions.

Disability in higher education has different implications from that of school Education. Higher education increases the chance of employability, thus, affirming dignified life for the persons with disabilities. While going through the policies and programmes in India it is found that not much has been done in the field of disability and higher education. Infrastructural facilities within institutions, attitudes towards persons with disabilities, transportation facilities, and lack of support services are a few areas which hinder the entry of students with disabilities into higher education.

The need for Higher education for any women arises out of two aspects - individual aspect and social aspect. It is education which increases women’s abilities to deal with the challenges of her life, her family, her society and nation.

Education increases confidence in a woman. An educated woman with disability can analyse in a better way when it comes to demerits of gender parity , health care, nutrition, education and even career. It is a well known fact that the fruits of education are enjoyed not only by the woman concerned but it passes to her family in later life. Hence her academic

empowerment has a greater impact.

Women and girls with disability face triple discrimination, being female, having a disability and being among the poorest of the poor. A significant majority of girls with disability in developing countries remain illiterate. When it comes to education, women with disabilities are likely to report less education than both non-disabled women and men with disabilities. The NCPEDP (2004) survey showed only 0.1% of students with disabilities are in higher education. The investment in education, health care or job training, that families are willing to make for woman with disability are often substantially less than for men with disability. Some of the barriers for Woman to pursue their higher education include financial constraints, relocation, lack of awareness about various policies and programs, Lack of girls hostels (Govt. or otherwise) for pursuing higher education, Susceptible to Abuse and Harassment – Safety concerns, Lack of counseling and guidance, Lack of accessible resource materials, difficulties in procuring aids and appliances.

Mainstream education alone cannot be stressed in order to ensure higher education due to lack of physical infrastructure , socio-economic conditions etc. Distance education can be a road to success. With technological development in the field of accessibility where audio books , online platforms etc are easily available there is more scope for women to overcome the social barriers to higher education and get advantage of Technology. We look forward to see more success stories in future.

Higher Education is no Longer a Challenge for Women With Disability- Ms. Madusinghal, Managing Trustee,

Mitrajyothi charitable trust, Bangalore

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There is considerable evidence that women’s education and literacy

tend to reduce the mortality rates of children

- Amartya Sen Development as Freedom, 2000, pg. 195

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There are a number of special residential schools for formal school education of visually challenged children run by state government as well as nongovernmental organizations.

The school education, professional trainings, food, accommodation and other residential facilities are offered to visually challenged children absolutely free of charge

Sl. No.

Name & Place Address Contact details Chief functionary Status Run by

1 Asha Kiran Residential School for Blind Children

Chikkamagalure

Kempanna Halli, Chikka Magalore Karnataka.577101

Tel. No. 08262 – 222368

Mail ID. [email protected]

www.ashakiranckm.com

J.P. Krishnegowda. Secretary -C.M.Mohamad nasrulla.

9343173402

Abul associates #131, MG road chikamagalore

Upto 10th std. (Co-Ed.)& joborien- ted courses,

NGO

2 Ashakirana Education & Rehabilitations Society

Chikkaballapura.

Health Colony, Post Office Road, Behind Railway Station, Sidlaghatta – 562 105. Chikka ballapura District. Karnataka.

M:9448368147.

Tel. No. 08158– 255600.

[email protected]

V.M. Nagarajaiah (General Secretary)

Upto 10th std. (Co-Ed.)

NGO

3 Asha Kiran Residential School for Blind. Bidar.

LIG-85 Hudco colony, Bidar, Karnataka- 585401

Tel. No. 08482-225383 Das Suryavamshi

Mob: 9448399558

Status: From 1st to 10th Std. (Co-Ed.)

NGO

4 Ashadeep School for Blinds students

Bidar

Bidar Email:sanju@ashadeepa schoolfortheblind.org

Dilip -9448554584 Primary NGO

5 Deepa Academy for the Differently

- Abled

Deepa Accademy for the Differently-abled, #226/A/3, Tank Bund Road, Subramanya Nagar, Bangalore-21

Ph: 23471268

Email ID: info@ deepaacademy.org/

[email protected]

Mr. Shantharam Urs (Founder & General Secretary in charge)

Mob No: 9980368431/ 9900481646

From 8 to 10 Std

NGO

Schools For Visually Challenged Children

Admissions to these schools are open to every visually impaired child irrespective of his/her cast, creed, and religion

The prominent special residential schools across the state are mentioned below:

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6 Dr. Pandith Panchakshari gawai’s Special Music & Primary School for the Blind, Gadag

Sriviresvhara punyashram. Panchakshari Nagar. Gadag- 582101. Karnataka

Tel: 08372- 238464,

230079

Kalakappa

Head master

9880840792

1. Formal education up to primary level.

2. Musical training - both vocal and instrumental

NGO

7 JMR School for Blind Children

Ashakirana Trust

J.M.R. School for the Blind Children Haladakatta, Siddapur (N.K.) - 581 355

Ph: 08389 - 231603 /

230286 / 230386

Tabreaz khan Head master

9008124696


NGO

8 Jyothi Seva School and Home for the Blind

Jyothi Seva Society, 1st Main Road, 3rd Cross, Venkateshpura Bangalore-560 045.

PhNo: 25477972 (Office),

25433365- (School)

[email protected]

Sr. Clare Kallukaran (President) Sr. Sara (Project Director School)

Mob: 9535531105

From nursery to 7th Std

NGO

9 Karnataka Welfare Association for the Blind

# 69, 14th Main, Nehru Nagar, Sheshadripuram, Bangalore- 560 020

Ph: +91-80- 23369703 /23345118

[email protected]

S.P. Murthy

(General Secretary)

Mob: 9741122706


NGO

10 Karnataka Andhara Okkuta

M. Krishna Residential School for the Blind Salgami Road, Near AIR Station, Hassan - 573 201 Karnataka

Ph: 08172-245876 Swamy

(Head Master)

9900499121

From 1st to 7th Std. . Co-Ed.

NGO

11 Maheshwari School for the Blind (Belgaum)

Behind Ramdev Hostel, Nehru Nagar, Belgaum-590 010 Karnataka

Ph: 0831-2471482, 2472827

E-mail ID: [email protected]

Website: www. associationfortheblind.info

Smt. Vaijayanti M. Chougale, (Principal)


NGO

12 Mathru Education Ttrust, Bangalore

C.A. Site.14, 6th cross, 5thphase, Newtown, Yalahanka, Bangalore-64.

918028463992/ 9886032632

EmailID: [email protected]

Ms. M.G. Muktha (Managing trustee)

From 1st to 10th Std. (Co-Ed.)

NGO

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13 Nava Chetana Blind School

Kuvempunagar, Kunigal town Tumkur District, Karnataka 572130

Ph: 08132-220550 H. Sadashivayya (Head Master) Mob: 98448 55643


NGO

14 Ranga Rao Memorial School for Disabled

Ranga Rao Memorial School for Disabled # 1/c, KRS Road, Metagalli, Mysore- 570 016

Ph. 0821-2412320

Email: [email protected]

[email protected]

Web: www.rangsons.com

Ms. Meera (Principal)

9242240401

From 1st to 10th Std Only girls’

NGO

15 Shree Rakum School for

the Blind

# 421, Shree Krishna Temple Road, Indiranagar, 1st Stage Bangalore, Karnataka - 560038

Ph: 080-25215253 / 25215705 / 25254721

Fax : 080 - 25215253 E-Mail: [email protected]

Acharya Rakum Medium of Education – Kannada up to 5 std, th English from 6 onwards.

NGO

16 Shree Ramana Maharishi Academy for the Blind

SRMAB, 3rd Cross, 3rd Phase, J.P. Nagar, Bangalore - 560 078 Karnataka

Ph No: (O) 080 - 26581076/ 26580325

Fax: 080 - 26588045

E-mail ID: [email protected],

srmab.org.in Web: www.srmab.org.in

Mr. T.V. Srinivasan

Mob: (9242871964)


NGO

17 Shree Shiva Sharana Haralayya Vidyavardaka Residential School for Blind Cildren

Mallikarjunanagar, BLD Road, Bijapur-586102

Mr. Ashok M. Doddamani (Principal)

Mob: 9480902211


NGO

18 Shri Aroodha Educational Society for Disabled (r)

No-28 2nd Cross, Nagathi Kondi Layout, Sri Siddarooda Mutt Road, Old Hubli, Dharwad (Dist.) Karnataka

Phone: 0836 - 2202138 Smt. Vidyavathi

(Head Mistress)


NGO

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19 Shri Manik Prabhu Shikshan Samiti

Maniknagar, Humnabad, Bidar - 585 353 Karnataka

Ph: 08483 - 270042 E-mail ID: - [email protected]

Web: www.manikprabhu.org

Shri. Anandraj Manik

Prabhu (President)

Mob: 9448128389


NGO

20 Shri Sharadha Devi Andhara Vikas Kendra

Paramhamsa Nagar, Anupinakatte Road, Gopala, Shimoga - 577 204 Karnataka

Phone: 08182-222020

e-mail [email protected]

Smt. Anita (Managing trustee)

Mob No: 98454 46288


NGO

21 Jagadguru Sri Balagangadhara- natha Swamy Free Residential School for the blind

Near Janapadaloka, B.M.Road, Ramanagara Taluk - 571 511 Ramanagara District Karnataka

Contact No:

080 - 7201091

Mr. Shivram (School In charge) Mr. Shanthamurthy Mob:9980156138 Mob: 9739686484


NGO

22 SREE Siddaganga school for theblind (tumkur)

Sree Siddaganga Math, Tumkur -572 104 Karnataka

Ph: (O) 0816 - 2282211

(Fax) 0816 - 2282511

Mr. B.L. Chandrashekhar (Head Master) Mob No: 94493 06161


NGO

23 Tikshna Organizaion for Rehabilitation of Visually Impaired,

Near Mallappana Hatti, Beside Social Forest Office, Bheema Samudra Road, Chitradurga,

Srinivasaiah (9341321413)

Primary School

NGO

24 Govt. School for the Blind (boys), Mysore

Bamboo Bazar Tilak Nagar Mysore – 570 021

Phone: 0821 - 2497496 Superintendent From 1st to 10th Std(boys),

Govt

25 Govt. Boys School for the Blind,

HUBLI

Shri Siddharood Swamy Mutt, Karwar Road, Old Hubli, District Dharwad, HUBLI - 580 024 Karnataka

Phone: 0836 - 2204167 Superintendent From 1st to 7th Std

Govt

26 Govt. School for the Blind (girls) at Davangere

Near Devraj Urs Layout, “B” Block, 1st Cross, Near Shivali Talkies, Davangere (Karnataka)

Ph: 08192 - 250442 e-mail-blindschooldavanagere @gmail.com

Head master K.K.prakash 9448415383

From 1st to 10th Std Only girls’

Govt

27 Govt. School for the Blind (boys), Gulbarga

Near Chandrasekhar Patil Stadium, Ivan-E, Shani Road, GULBARGA - 585 101 Karnataka

Ph: 0958472 - 220641 Superintendent From 1st to 7th Std. (boys),

Govt

NFB

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28 Belaku Academi Bangalore

#9, Supraja Nagar, 7th Cross Konanakunte (po) Bangalore - 62

Ph: 9741595749 [email protected]

Web; ashwiniangaditrust.org

Aswini.A. 9741595749

Now started 1st standerd

NGO

29 Sri Ramakrishna Sevashrama

Swami Vivekananda Integrated Rural Health Centre

Pavagada

(Unit of Sri Ramakrishna Sevashrama)

Swami Vivekananda Nagara, Pavagada – 561 202

Ph. Hospital : 91 8136 – 244030 / 244716

Ashrama : 91 8136 – 244548 Fax : 244290

Email : [email protected]

Swami Japanandaji 91 8136 – 244548

Newly opened from 1st std.

NGO

30 Smt, Ambubai Residential School for blind girls

Gulbarga

4/282, Gulbarga. 585101

9535393900

[email protected]

web-www.ambubaischoolfor blindgirls.org

Shobarani.B. agarwal

9535393900

From 1st to 10th Std

Only girls’

NGO

31 Samagra Jeevana Vikasa Samsthe (sajeevi )Residential School for Blind Childrens

Bagalkote

15th Cross, Near Kenchamma Temple, Vidyagiri Bagalkote

No M.D.Udupudi

9845298041


NGO

32 Adarsha Education Socity

Bellari-

Adarsha Residential School for the Blind Sanganakal Bellari-583103

9035003845 K.venkobappa (president)

9611967781


NGO

33 Roman & Catharine Lobo Schoolfor the Blind

Mangalore

3rd Cross, Kotekani, Baji.Mangalore - 575004

0824-2458552

[email protected]

Dr.U.V.shenai(president)9845047785


NGO

34 Gnana Prgna Residential Blind Childrens School

Deshpande Nagar, Mundagodu, Mundagodu (Tq & Dist) Aravara-581349

9845275024 President-Shankar avdan katti


NGO

Hostel services extended by various public agencies and NGO to working and studying persons with visual disability at free or subsidized cost

The list of various hostels run by the government agency and NGO for visually challenged students working persons at various places is reproduced below

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Sl.No. Name & place of the Hostel

Address & Contact details Men/Women Intact accommodation

capacity

1 Jyothi Seva Home, Bangalore

Jyothi Seva Society , 1st Main Road, 3rd Cross, Venkateshpura, Bangalore-560 045.

Ph. No: 25477972 (Office) / 25433365 - School

Email ID: [email protected]

College going girls 15

2 Prerana Resource Centre

Bangalore

# 6, 1st Cross, 3rd Block, Sonnappa Road, Goragunte Palya, Bangalore-560 022. Tel. No. 2357 3705 E-mailID: [email protected]

Website: www.prc.co.in

women’s 110

3 Sahana Charitable Trust for the Disabled

Bangalore

# 1101, 10th Main, RPC Layout, Vijayanagar, 2nd Stage, Bangalore – 560 040. Tel.No. : 080 – 2311 6699 / 2314 6716.


Women’s

25

2222222

4 Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, Bangalore

No.11, Villa Suchitha, 1st Cross, 17th ‘A’ Main, Behind Giri Apartments, J.P. Nagar 2nd Phase, Bangalore – 560 078

Phone No.: 26591488 / 26592999


Website: www.samarthanam.org

Separate hostel for both men and women

400

5 National Federation of the Blind Mysore Regional Unit

402, Ahimsa Marga, Siddarth Nagar, Mysore – 570 011. Karnataka Ph. No.:0821 : 23263041 Mob: 9449616254

Men 20

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6 Snehdeep Trust #44, Charles Cambels Road, Cox Town. Bangalore-560005

Ph-08025801069

Separate for Both men and women

60

7 NFB Karnataka #36, 1st Floor, 100 ft. Road, Veerabhadranagar, Banashankari 3rd Stage Bangalore-85

Ph: 26728845

E-mail: [email protected]

Men 30

8 Government hostel for working and studying women with disability Bangalore

Bande Matta, Komugatta Road, Kengeri Upanagara, Jnanabharathi (Post), Bangalore- 560060

Ph: 080-22719192 M: 9900281688 (Parvathamma)

Women 50

9 Govt. Hostel for working and studying men with disability

Bangalore

#42/10, Ring Road, Nagadevanahalli, Bande Matta, Kengeri Upanagara, Jnanabharathi (Post), Bangalore- 560056

M: 9980818157 (Ravi clerk)

Men 50

10 Awake Vishwa Seva Foundation

AWAKE VISHWA SEVA FOUNDATION(R) Bhavana Nilaya No.8, Survey No.10/3 Banashankari 3rd stage, Ittamaddu (Behind Terrace Garden Apartments) Bengaluru – 560 085

Phone:+91 96203 69680 / 080 2672 3123

[email protected] Web site : www.awakevishwaseva.org

Girls & boys

Only students

25

11 Mitra Jyothi Trust for Disables

C.A. Site No. P-22, HSR Layout, Sector-1, 31st main, 18th Cross, Behind NIFT Bangalore –560102

Tele. Nos. – 25727623/ 624/625 Mobile no – 9900517293/ 9900192609

Email : [email protected] Website: www.mitrajyothi.org

Girls students 10

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12 chikkena koppada sree chennaveera sharana andara kalyana asrama, Hubli

Navanagara, Hubli - 580025 Ph - 0836-22251511 Manager, Hiremutt-8762104680

Male students 100

List of all these hostels are reproduced below:

Sl. No

Districts Name of the Institutions Name and address of the Hostel

Telephone No.

1 Gulbarga Chairperson, Secretary Mahadevi Thai Mahila Vidyavardhaka Sangh (Regd), Alandh Colony, Gulbarga

Hostel for Working and Studying Women with Disability, Shanti Nagar, Gulbarga

2 Ballary Chairperson, Secretary Mukkanneshwara Education Trust (Regd), Guggarahatti, 6th Ward, Ballary-583102

Hostel for working and Studying women with Disability, Guggarahatti, Ballary

9986227315

3 Bidhar Chairperson, Secretary Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Cultural & Welfare Society (Regd). Bheemanagar, Bidhar

Hostel for working and studying women with Disability, SBH. Colony, KEB. Road, Bidhar

4 Koppal Chairperson, Secretary, Divyajyothi Vidya samsthe (Regd) Vijari Lakshmipur Industrial Area, Haveri, Haveri District.

Jyothi Hostel for Working and Studying Women with Disability, Bekkal Road, Koppal

5 Rayachur, Chairperson, Secretary, Sankalp Society for Women & child Development, No. 1-9-194/1, Ajad Nagar, Raichur.

9986884043

6 Gadag Self employment Training unit and Rural Development Instituion, 3rd Cross, Siddalinga Nagar, Gadag

Sri.Akkamahadevi Vikalang Hostel for Working and Studding Women with Disability, Kagadagara Building, Hubli Road, Gadag District, Gadag

9480371134

Hostel for working & studying women with disability in each district across the state. The state government has made an arrangement to open hostels for working and studying women

with disability in partnership with local NGO under grant in aid scheme.

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7 Haveri Sri.Kalmeshwara Gramina Vidyasamsthe (Regd). Basaveshwar Nilaya, Sangamesshwar Nagar, Badagi

hostel for working and studing women with disability,Purada Oni, Haveri

8 Uttara Kannada Bapuji Gameena Vikas Samithi’s Hostel for Working and Studying Women with Disability, Karwar, Uttara Kannada District

Bapuji Gameena Vikas Samithi’s Hostel for working and studying women with disability, Kaiga Road, Hubbuwada, Karwar, Uttara Kannada

9 Bagalkote Samagara Jeevan Vikas, Jeevana Samsthe, KHB, Colony, Mudhola-587313

Sarvodaya Building, Vidyagiri Layout, Opp.Netaji Hostpital, Bagalkote- 587101

10 Dharwad Vishwadharma Mahila & Shikshana Sevashram Samithi, Veerapur Oni, Hakkala, Hubli

Hostel for working and studying women with disability, Vidyanagar, Hubli, Backside of Maratabharathi Kalyana Mantap, Surya Buidling, Vidyanagar, Hubli

11 Belagavi Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Harijan Shikshana Samsthe, Muchhande, Belagavi, Flat NO.53, Janatha Coloney, Malamaruthi Layout, Belgavi-16

Hostel for working and studying women with disability, Flat No.4, Rukmini Nagar, 1st Cross, Kalaburgi Road, Malamaruthi Layout, Belagavi-16

12 Vijapur Aishwarya Mahila Mandali, Navarasapura coloney, Bagalkote Road, Ganganivas, Opp. New Court, Vijapur-586104

Aishwarya Mahila Mandali, Navarasapura coloney, Bagalkote Road, Ganganivas, Opp. New Court, Vijapur-586104

9342998924

13 Bangalore Shri . Shathashrunga Institution (Regd),

Hostel for Working and Studying Women with Disability, Back side of Kempegowda Nagar Bus Stop, Laggere, Outer ring road, Rajgopalnagar, Bangalore.

14 Bangalore Urban Vidyaranya, Hostel for Disabled working Women,

Segehalli Road, Basavanapura, Battarahalli, Old Madras Road, K R Puram, Bangalore- 560049

Contact Person: Tajeshwini 7483262085

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15 Bangalore Urban Samarthanam Trust for Disabled, Students, Trainees and Working women hostel

#66, 5th Main road, 3rd Stage, Peenya industrial Area, Bangalore- 560058

Contact Person: Satish 8951888215

16 Bangalore Urban Hostel for Disabled Working Women Kavalbyrasandra, Shivajinagara, Bangalore

Contact Person: Guruswamy 9916876587

14 Davanagere Sri Vinayaka Education Society (Regd.), 298/46, D.C.M. Township, P.B. Road, Davanagere-577003

Sri Vinayaka Education Society (Regd.), 298/46, D.C.M. Township, P.B. Road, Davanagere-577003

08192255433

15 Tumkur Sri Ambigara Chowdaiah Education Society (Regd.) Sri Sadana, Shivganganagar, Batawavdi, B.H.Road, 2nd Stage

16 Chitradurga Sri. Basaveshwar Vidya Samsthe (Regd). Gaare Hatti, Chitradurga

Hemavathi hostel for working and studing women with disability, Vishwesharaiah Layout, Backside of J.M. I.T. College, Chitradurga

17 Kolar Ashakirana Education Rehabilitation Instituion. Health coloney, Shidlaghatta, Chikkaballapur- 562105

Mandara Hostel for working and studying women with disability,

Health colony, Post office Road, Backside of Railway Statioin, Shidlaghatta, Kolar District.

18 Shimogga Surabhi Mahila Mandali (Regd) No.314, 3rd Main Road, 1st cross, S. Nijalingappa Layout, Davangere

Surabhi Mahila Mandali (Regd), Hostel for working and Studying Women with Disability,

No.649, GiriKrupa, Kuvempu Road, Shimogga

08192-320915/

9341805913

19 Bangalore Rural Sarvoday Service Society (Regd). Vijayapura Devanahalli Taluk, Bangalore Rural

Adarsha Working and Studying women Hostel for Disabled, Vivekananda Nagar, Near Citizen School Road, Behind Devaki Kalyanmaptam, Hosakote Town Bangalore Rural District

9342070731/

080-7667047

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20 Mangalore Mahathma Gandhi Education Society (Regd.)

No.1-33-2771, Nelson Pinto House, Near Shediguri Bus Stop, Shediguri, Mangalore

Hostel for working and Studying women with Disability,

No.1-33-2771, Nelson Pinto House, Near Shediguri bus Stop, Shediguri, Mangalore

21 Udupi S.J.M Vidyapeeta, Sri Murughamat, Chitradurga

Rani Abbakkadevi Hostel for working and Studying Women with Disability,

1st Main Road, Lakshmendra Nagar, Near Car Bazar, Manipal Road, Udupi

22 Madikeri S.J.M. Vidyapeeta, Sri Murugha Mat, Chitradurga

Rani Abbakkadevi hostel for working and studying women with disability, Chitgate Road, Near Deture, Madikeri

24 Hasana Swetha Vidya Samsthe, Dasarakoppalu, Hasan

Hostel for working & studying women with disability,

Rathnaraju layout, 1st cross, Shareefh colony, near shubhodaya kalyanmantap, Hasan

25 Chamarajnagar Vinayaka Education Society, Chamarajnagar

Hostel for working & studying women with disability ,

No.711, Mailaralingeshwar Nilaya, 2nd cross Bramaramba layout, Chamarajnagar

26 Mysore J.S.S. Mahavidyapeeta, Jagadguru Dr.Shivarathri Rajendra Circle, Mysore-570004

J.S.S. hostel for working and studying women with disability, No.1067/1, M.G. Road, (Vanivial Road), Mysore-4

27 Mandya Bhagavan Budda Cultural, Social and Education Society, Siddarth Nagar, Malavalli, Mondya District.

Bhagavan Budda hostel for working and studying women with disability, N0.5020, 6th cross, Thavarekere, Mandya

08231-214267

M- 9845565414

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28 Chikkamagalore Society for peoples integrated development (Regd.) Kadur, Chikkamagalure District.

Hostel for working and studying women with disability, Near Aruna nursing home, Basavanahallli Main road, Chikkamagalure

9845131580

9900772669

Programme of professional and vocational trainings offered by various public agencies and NGO :

Sl. No

Name & place of the institution

Address and contact details Training programmes

1 Bhartimaeus Resource Centre for Visually Impaired (B.R.C.V.I.)

Bangalore

90/1,mother Teresa layout, near Guddi cross, kannur post .B’lore-49 Mobile number-

Email: [email protected] & [email protected]

Training of mobility and orientation, spoken English, preschool training.

2 Enable India 12, KHB Colony, Brahma Kumari Road, 8th Cross, Kormangala, Bangalore

Ph No. : 080 – 42823635/25714842 / 41101390

E-mail ID: - [email protected]

Web: www.enable-india.org

Various type of computer application courses, job specific skill development training, spoken English training.

3 IDL Foundation IDL FOUNDATION & IDL BLIND BAND, No.28, Opposite to Sriniket Apartment, M.S.Ramaiah Engineering College Road, 1st Cross, Mathikere, Bangalore-560 054.

Ph.2360 8787 / 41282413

English speaking course , training of music and dance

4 Mitra Jyothi Trust for Disables

C.A. Site No. P-22, HSR Layout, Sector-1, 31st main, 18th cross Behind NIFT Bangalore –560102

Tele. Nos. – 25727623/ 624/625

Mobile no – 9900517293/ 9900192609

Email : [email protected]

Website: www.mitrajyothi.org

Various courses of computer application, Training of Home management to blind women

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5 Mobility Training Centre for the Blind

Child & Family Welfare Centre Building 7th Cross, N.G. Road, Attavar, Mangalore – 575 001 Ph No. : 0824 – 2416017

Training of mobility and orientation, skill development training in various states such as re-caning, doll making, tailoring, paper cover making, door mat making, candle making

6 National Association for the Blind

Karnataka Branch

NAB Rehabilitation Complex, C.A. Site No. 4, NAB Road, Jeevan Bima Nagar, Bangalore – 560 075

Contact Details: Ph: 25281590 / 25289939 / 25280740 Fax: 25281439

Email: [email protected] Website: www.nabkarnataka.org

Computer training, mobility and orientation training, technical training.


Industrial Training Centre for the Blind. & Deaf

Shed No. L/177/178, Industrial Estate, Yadavgiri Mysore – 570 020. Karnataka.

Contact Details Ph No. :(O) 0821-2514431 Sreenivash, -managr-9900372254

Industrial training in various states like Engineering, Assembling, Packaging, Plastic Molding, Re-canning, and Coir mat making, Electrician, Screen printing etc.

8 Pandit Puttaraj Gawai Trust for disabled ®

1/88, Subramanya Road, Near Govt Middle School, Kadirenhalli, Banshankari 2nd Stage, Bangalore – 560 070 Ph: 26792119

Training of music including vocal and instrumental

9 Prerana Resource Centre

Prerana Resource Centre # 6, 1st Cross, 3rd Block, Sonnappa Road, Goragunte Palya, Bangalore-560 022.

Contact Details: Tel. No. 2357 3705 E-mail ID: [email protected] Website: www.prc.co.in

Mobility and orientation training, vocational training in various trades for blind women.

10 Sahana Charitable Trust for the Disabled

# 1101, 10th Main, RPC Layout, Vijayanagar, 2nd Stage, Bangalore – 560 040. Tel. No. : 080 – 2311 6699 / 2314 6716. E-mailID: [email protected]

Carrier centric computer operation course, English speaking course,

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11 Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled

Address: No.11, Villa Suchitha, 1st Cross, 17th ‘A’ Main, Behind Giri Apartments, J.P. Nagar 2nd Phase, Bangalore – 560 078

Phone No.: 26591488 / 26592999


Website: www.samarthanam.org

Computer training programs, entrepreneurship training and call center training.

12 Shree Ramana Maharishi Academy for the Blind ®

SRMAB, 3rd Cross, 3rd Phase, J.P. Nagar, Bangalore – 560 078. Karnataka.

Contact Details Ph No. :(O) 080 – 26581076/ 26580325 (Fax) 080 – 26588045

E-mail ID: - [email protected] & [email protected]

Teachers training in special B.Ed and special D.Ed., training of rehabilitation workers

13 Sneha Jyothi Centre for the Physically Challenged

Sati Road, Athani, Belgaum – 591 304 Karnataka.

Phone No.: 08289 – 285647

Email: chackosnehajyoti@y ahoo.co.in

Training of Braille literacy and vocational training

14 Karnataka welfare association for the blind

# 69, 14th Main, Nehru Nagar, Sheshadripuram, Bangalore- 560 020 Ph: +91-80- 23369703 /23345118

Computer operation course, English speaking course,

15 Snehadeep #44.Charles cambels road, cox town.Bangalore-560005

Ph-08025801069

Computer operation course, English speaking course

16 Hellen Keller Teachers training center Mysore-

Pulakeshi Nagar, Tilaknagara, Bamboo bazar Road, School for blind Children Campus, Mysore- 21 Ph 0821-2491600

Teachers training (special B.Ed., special D.Ed.,)

17 Divya jyothi charitable trust

Mysore

#151/F.4th cross.gokulam 3rd stage , Mysore-570002 Bapuji children’s home campus Land line 0821-2510129

Shivaprakash M: 9886409563

Computer operation course

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18 JSS Polytechnic Mysore

J S S Technical Institution’s Campus, SJCE Campus, Manasa Gangothri, MYSORE-570 006 ,Karnataka State, INDIA. Phone: 0821-2548318 Telefax: 0821 - 2548319 Email: [email protected]

A special faculty for offering recognized course of computer applications to visually challenged

Centers of Braille production and Transcription for catering the individual needs of Braille books/notes across the state

There are various agencies in public and private sector in the state of Karnataka cater the needs of Braille users.

Some prominent centers of Braille production /transcription are as mentioned below :

Sl. No.

Name and place Contact details Run by Remarks

1 Government Braille press Mysore

Mysore Braille Press Bamboo bazaar Road, Tilak Nagar, Mysore - 570 021

Phone : 0821 – 2496846 Mob: 9901270006

Government Braille text books from 1st std to 10th std are produce and supplied to schools free of cost

2 National Federation of the Blind Karnataka, Bangalore

#36, 1st floor, 100ft road, veerabhadranagar, BSK 3rd Stage Bangalore-95

Ph: 080-26728845 M: 9980444655

NGO Supply of books to individuals, institutions and government agencies as per demand

3 Ability resource center

#770, phase-4, Jade Garden, sadahalli. Bangalore-562110

Contact Detail: Tel: 080-25454645 Mob-9980056191


NGO Supply of study material to students and professionals at free of charge

4 Braille Transcription Unit of Canara Bank Relief & Welfare Society, Bangalore

Canara Bank Relief & Welfare Society, 27th Cross, Banashankari 2nd Stage,Bangalore- 560 070.

Tel. No. 26713421 (Manager)

Website www.matruchhaya.org

NGO Supply of educational, reference and general books to students institutions through computerized embossing and manual transcription

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5 Gnanajyothi Trust for disabled persons,

Bengaluru

Gnanajyothi CA site No. 2, Syndicate bank colony, Near Kamakshipalya police station, Magadi main road, Bengaluru – 560079 Mobile: 9342950586 Mobile: 9019883188

Email:[email protected], [email protected]

web ID: www.saignanajyothu,org

NGO Supply of text books to school and college students free of cost on request through computerized Braille embossing and manual transcription

6 Karnataka Welfare Association for the Blind

Bangalore

# 69, 14th Main Neharu Nagar, Sheshadripuram, Bangalore- 560 020 Karnataka

Phone: +91-80- 23369703 / 23345118

[email protected]

NGO Printing of study material for V.I. students and institutions through computerized Braille embossing and manual transcription.

7 Mitrajyothi Bangalore

C.A.Site No. P-22, 31st main, 18th cross, HSR Layout, Sector-1, Behind NIFT College, Bangalore –560102

Tele. Nos. – +91-80-22587623 /24 /25 Mobile no – +91-9900192609

Email : [email protected], [email protected]


NGO Supply of braille books and notes on request through computerized braille embosser


Karnataka Branch


Ph: 25281590 / 25289939 / 25280740 Fax: 25281439

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Website: www.nabkarnataka.org

NGO Prints Braille reading material for students, professionals and trainees on request

9 Sahana Charitable Trust Bangalore

# 1101, 10th Main, RPC Layout, Vijayanagar, 2nd Stage, Bangalore – 560 040.

Tel. No. : 080 – 2311 6699 / 2314 6716.


NGO Prints study material for school and college going students on request through computerized Braille embossing.

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10 Sneha deep trust

#44.Charles cambels road, cox town.Bangalore-560005

Ph-08025801069 Mob: +91-94490-21997

E-mail: paulmuddha@ snehadeep.org.in

Web address: www.snehadeep.org.in

NGO Prints Braille reading material for school and college going students on request

11 Braille Center of Bangalore University

Bangalore

Bangalore University Central college campus Bangalore

Government Prints study material for students of Bangalore university

12 Divya jyothi charitable trust

#151/F.4th cross.gokulam 3rd stage , Mysore-570002 Bapuji children’s home campus

Land line 0821-2510129

Shivaprakash M: 9886409563

NGO Supply of text books to school and college students on request through computersied braille embossing and manual transcription (free of cost)

Other services

In the view to enable persons with disability including blind/low vision to maximize their potential in all spheres of life, the government agencies and NGO are operating various supportive services across the state . Some key services are illustrated below:

Sl.No. Name & Place Contact Details Chief functionary Key services Status of the organization

1 National Federation of the Blind Karnataka, Bangalore

# 36, 1st Floor, 100 ft. Road, Veerabhadranagar, Banashankari 3rd Stage Bangalore-85 Ph: 26728845 E-mail: [email protected]

Sri.Gautam Agarwal General Secretary

M: 9980444655

State level Braille cum talking library

Aids and appliances, Information and counsilling, JOB Alert SMS service

NGO

2 Anthardristi Centre for the Blind

Bangalore

Premaanjali Educational Trust (Regd). # N-3, LIC Policy Holders’ Colony, 24th main, J.P.Nagar Ist Phase, Bangalore – 560 078 Ph (080) 26654682

Sukanya Ramani Director

Digital library, supply of study material in accessible format, Resource room for study, equip with accessible computers internet and schanning facilities

NGO

NFB

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3 Enable India Bangalore

12, KHB Colony, Brahma Kumari Road, 8th Cross, Kormangala, Bangalore

Contact details: Ph No. : 080 – 42823635/25714842 / 41101390

E-mail ID: - [email protected]

Web: www.enable-india.org

Shanti Raghavan Placement service for assisting the visually challenged in getting suitable employment in corporate sector

NGO

4 Mitra Jyothi C.A. Site No. P 22, 31 st Main, 18 th Cross, HSR Layout, Sector I, Behind NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) Bangalore: 560102

Phone: 080-22587623/24



Ms.Madhusignhal Digital talking library,

Placement service for assisting visually challenged persons in finding suitable job in private sector

NGO

5 National Association for the Blind Karnataka Branch

Bangalore


Ph: 25281590 / 25289939 / 25280740

Fax: 25281439

Email: [email protected] /

[email protected]

Website: www.nabkarnataka.org

Mr. M. Srinivasa (9845599798)

CEO

Placement service for enabling visually challenged persons in finding suitable jobs in private sector

NGO

NFB

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6 Office of state commissioner Bangalore

Karnataka Slum Development Board Building, Abhaya Sankeerna, 2nd Floor, No.55, Risaldar Street (Plat Form Road), Sheshadripuram, Bangalore-560 020.

Phone No: 91-80-23462659/23462625 Email: [email protected]

Web ID :www.scd.kar.nic.in/contact_us.asp

Information officer Information and cunselling service

Govt

7 VVN Degree College Rotract Club

Scribe Bank

Vanivilas Road, V V Puram, Bangalore. 560004

Prasanna Udipikar,

9449800783,

[email protected]

Providing scribes to visually impaired examinees for writing their exams

o

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to

what lies within us.”

- Rolph Waldo Emerson

A true friend knows your weaknesses but shows you your strengths;

feels your fears but fortifies you faith; sees your anxieties but frees your spirit;

recognixes your disabilities but emphasizes your possibilities”.

- William Arthur Ward

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52

In term of its notification No.14-37/2013 DD IV B the union ministry of social justice and empowerment has undertaken news scheme of scholarship for students with disability W.E.F. 1st April 2014

As per this scheme 46,000 pre metric and 16,000 post metric scholarships will be awarded to students with disability all over the country. Above mentioned number of scholarship will be distributed in all states in ratio of population of the persons with disability of the concerned state in total population of the nation with disability.

Above mentioned notification containing the scheme in detail may be refered at the website of union ministry of social justice www.socialjustice.co.in

Provision of 3% reservation for persons with disability in admission and employment in universities and colleges :-

Universities grant commission (UGC) has directed all universities and colleges to ensure 3% reservation in their employment and admission in all courses please read the following circular.

In term of its D.O. D.O. No.ll-5/95(CPP-iI) (Vol-III) J & JU. 2001 July 11, 2001, UGC has directed all universities and colleges to ensure 3% reservation to persons with disability in admission of all their cources and in recruitment of teaching and non teaching jobs.

Relaxation of 5% marks in P.G. Course to students with disability for appearing to NET Exam:

In term of circular NO.F.6-l/2002(CPI’-n) May, 20G2 UGC allows disabled students with 50% marks to appear in NET Exam while the eligibility condition for appearing in the same exam is 55% marks in PG course.

Special facilities to the employees of government of India with disability

1. Adhoc allotment of General Pool residential accommodation to the physically handicapped employees :-

The Asst. Director has been empowered to make the out of turn allotment of accommodation to the physically handicapped employees of the government of India. Please refer the G.O.No. No. 12029(2)/80-Pol.II dtd.19.10.92

2. Provision of special transport allowance to the disabled employees of government of India:

Employees of government of India with disability are paid transport allowance at double of normal rate subject to minimum Rs.1000/- per month. Please refer OM of government of India W.E.F. 1st September 2008

3. Provision of special casual leaves for disabled employees of government of India:

Government of India has granted 10 special casual leaves in a calendar year to its employees with disability in order to participate in developmental conferences, workshops and seminars relating to the disability issues. For detail, Please refer the circular No. No. 28016/02/2007-Estt (A), dated.14th November, 2007

4. Relaxation in rules of posting and transfer for Group C & D employees of Government of India with Disability:

In term of circular No. A-B 14017/41/41/90-Estt. (RR) dtd. 10th May, 1990 Government of India has decided that posting and transfer of its employees with disabilities as for as possible nearest to their home town.

5. Provision of Child care allowance to female employees of government of India with disability and reimbursement of education allowance to the government employees for their disabled child:

In term of its circular No. No.12011/04/2008-Estt. (Allowance) dtd. 11th September, 2008 government of India has made the provision to give additional monthly allowance of Rs.1000/- to its female employees with disability to look after their child.

As per the same circular the education allowance is admissible to its employees at double of normal rate for the education of child with disabiltiy

Schemes of National Scholarship for students with disability

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6. Provision of extra casual leaves to Employees of government of India with disability

in term of its Circular No. No. 25011/1/2008-Estt (A) dated : 19th November, 2008 Government of India allows four additional casual leaves to its employees with disability in compare to all other employees

RBI - Banking Facilities

1. Ruling of RBI with regard to provide all banking facilities to the visually challenged customers:

In term of its circular No. RBI / 2007-08 / 358 dtd. June 4, 2008 Reserve Bank of India has directed to all commercial banks to extend all banking facilities to their visually challenged customers at par with other customers, such as account opening, cheque book, ATM card, credit card, debit card, locker, loan etc.,

BSNL - Communication Facilities

1. 20% concession in usage of BSNL Broad band service:-

Bharatiya Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) allows the blind users 20% concession in uses of BSNL broad band service. For more detail please refer its circular no. R&C No.10/09-10 dated : 08-04-2009

Concession in Travel by Railway

Ministry of railway allows the blind to travel at concessional fares by Indian railways. Some key rules in order to enjoy the benefit of this concession are as follows.

1. A blind person may travel alone or with an escort in Indian Railway at concessional fare for any purpose.

2. A blind passenger and his / her escort are given the concession in fare for their journey in Indian Railway as follows:

a. First class, second class, sleeper class, AC chair car and 3 tire AC- 75%

b. First class Ac, 2nd class Ac and Season ticket- 50%

c. Concession in Rajadhani and Shatabdi trains – 25%

3. The concession is applicable in basic fare only, superfast charge, reservation charge, etc are payable as per the normal rates.

a. The concession is allowed on production of certificate issued by a medical practitioner or head of the registered institution of and for the blind.

4. The concession certificate issued by the above mentioned authorities shall be valid for five years from the date of issue. o

“If you do not have a mission, no problem will occur but if you do have a mission or task

definitely problems of varying magnitudes will crop up. But problems should not become

the master of the individual; individual should become the master of the problem, defeat it and succeed’’.

- Prof Satish Dhawan

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A. Blindness (Visual Disability)

As per persons with disability act 1995 Blindness refers to a condition where a person’s suffers from any of the condition, namely,

a. total absence of sight; or

b. visual acuity not exceeding 6/60 or 20/200 (Snellen) in the better eye with best correcting lenses; or

c. limitation of field of vision subtending an angle of 20 degree or worse;

B. Person with Low Vision

As per persons with disability act 1995 means a person with impairment of visual functioning even after

Some legal and functional definitions of Disability

General abbreviations for denoting various situations of disability

treatment or standard refractive correction but who uses or is potentially capable of using vision for the planning or execution of task with appropriate assistive devices.

C. Persons with disability :- As per persons with disability act 1995 persons with disability means a person suffering from not less than 40% of any disability as certified by a medical authority.

D. Person with severe disability:-

As per persons with disability act 1995 person with saviour disability means a person with 80% or more than one disability

E. Various conditions of visual disability on basis of % of visual impairment:-

Categories with visual correction

Category Better eye Worse eye %age impairment

Category 0 6/9-6/18 6/24 to 6/36 20%

Category I 6/18-6/36 6/20 to Nil 40%

Category II 6/40-4/60 or field of vision 10o-20o 3/60 to Nil 75%

Category III 3/60 to 1/60 or field of vision 10o F.C. at 1 ft. to Nil 100%

Category IV F.C. at 1 ft. to Nil or field of vision 10o F.C. at ft. to Nil 100%

One eyed persons F.C. at 1 ft. to Nil or field of vision 10o 6/6 30%

Categories of Visual Disability

SL.NO Abbreviation Situations of Disability

01 BL Both legs affected but not arms

02 B.A Both Arms affected (Impaired, Weakness of grip)

03 BLA Both legs and both arm affected

04. OL One leg affected (R and / or L)

05. OA One arm affected (R & L) (Impaired reach/ Weakness of Grip/ ataxia)

06. BH Stiff back and hips (Cannot sit or stoop)

07 FT Limited exercise to tolerance early fatigue.

08. MW Muscular weakness and limited physical

09. IC General in coordination of movement

10. B The blind

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11. PB Partially blind

12. D The Deaf

13. PD Partially deaf

14. LV Low vision

15. VI Visually Impaired

16. VC Visually Challenged

17. PWD persons with disability

18. MI Mentally Ill

19. MR Mentally retarded

1. Disability Certificate

The Disability Certificate is not just a document for a person with disability but a proof of his/her disability and an important tool for availing the benefits / facilities / rights that they are entitled to, from the Central as well as State Government under various appropriate enabling legislations.

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment had notified procedures for the Medical Boards of District Civil hospitals for issuance, assessments and the format of Disability Certificate.

Conditions for obtaining Disability Certificate

In order to become eligible for obtaining the Disability Certificate, a person with disability should ful fill the following conditions:

1. To be a Indian citizen.

2. To possess medical reports explaining type of his/her disability.

3. The minimum degree of disability should be 40% in order to be eligible.

Procedure for obtaining Desability Certificate

Parent of a person with disability, or a person himself, should approach to the District hospital with his request for obtaining Disability Certificate providing the following documents:-

1. Copy of I.D. of the person with disability & 2 photographs showing the disability part.

2. Copy of all medical and psychological reports available.

Medical Board distributes the cases to the medical sub-committees specialized for different types of disabilities, according to the medical diagnosis of the person with disability.

Medical Board issues the Disability Certificate to the person with disability that he should receive from the District Hospital, after its verification by the Head of the Medical Board.

The State Governments / UT Administrations may constitute the medical boards

The Director General of Health Services Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will be the final authority, if arises any Controversy/doubt regarding the interpretation of the definitions/classifications/evaluations tests etc.

Process of Certifications:

Visual Disability

A disability certificate shall be issued by a Medical Board duly constituted by the Central/State Government having, at least three members. Out of which, at least one member shall be a specialist in ophthalmology.

Permanent/temporary certificate

The certificate would be valid for a period of five years for those whose disability is temporary. For those who acquire permanent disability, the validity can be shown as ‘Permanent’.

If permanent disability certificate is not issued, then the Medical Board has to specifically mention whether the condition is progressive/non-progressive/likely to improve/not likely to improve and the Re-assessment is not recommended or re-assessment is recommended after a given period.

Procedure for obtaining Disability Card

A parent of the person with disability, or that person himself, will approach to the District Hospital providing all necessary documents and reports as following:

Copy of the Disability Certificate.

Two (2) personal photos.

Copy of I.D. of the person with disability.

Copy of the Address proof.

Disabled Welfare Department/ District hospital should issue the disability card to the person at the same time, after the sighing authority has signed it.

o

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Censes Data 2011 relating population of Visual Disability

State Total Male Female JAMMU & KASHMIR 66448 35656 30792

HIMACHAL PRADESH 26076 13382 12694

PUNJAB 82199 44811 37388

CHANDIGARH 1774 1078 696

UTTARAKHAND 29107 14486 14621

HARYANA 82702 43624 39078

NCT OF DELHI 30124 16864 13260

RAJASTHAN 314618 156044 158574

UTTAR PRADESH 763988 407862 356126

SIKKIM 2772 1421 1351

ARUNACHAL PRADESH

5652 2862 2790

MEGHALAYA 6980 3494 3486

WEST BENGAL 424473 223325 201148

ODISHA 263799 136851 126948

CHHATTISGARH 111169 56066 55103

MADHYA PRADESH 270751 144282 126469

GUJARAT 214150 113617 100533

DAMAN & DIU 382 222 160

DADRA & NAGAR HAVELI

429 234 195

MAHARASHTRA 574052 311835 262217

ANDHRA PRADESHKARNATAKA

398144264170

198473133909

199671130261

GOA 4964 2350 2614

LAKSHADWEEP 337 149 188

KERALA 115513 53167 62346

TAMIL NADU 127405 67744 59661

ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS

1084 598 486

Total 5,032,463 2,638,516 2,393,947

Population of Visual Disability in India

o

“Take Risks In Your Life”

If you Win, You can Lead! If you Loose, You can Guide

- Swami Vivekananda

national federation of the blind

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Transcript of national federation of the blind