NAB Mata Lachmi Nursery for the Blind

History

Open to children in age-group 2½ - 5 years, the NAB Mata Lachmi Nursery for the Blind was launched on August 15, 1969 in the spacious premises of Mata Lachmi Trust building at Sion Mumbai.  This Nursery was a pioneering attempt of NAB (I) towards early intervention for blind children. Besides space, the donor - Mata Lachmi - had also offered NAB Rs.10,000 for equipment and other devices.

Activities
At NAB Mata Lachmi Nursery, blind children are prepared for further education by imparting them skills in Braille reading, basic number calculations, music, craft, daily living activities, physical dexterity, etc.  After two-three years they either go to special schools or study in integrated set up.

MDVI Program

Since 2003, the Nursery opened its doors to Multi-
Disabled Visually Impaired Children as well.  A variety of activities are conducted for these children, with technical support from NAB Dept. of Education.  Some of the activities that have got added to the Nursery are:
1. Early Intervention
2. Functional assessment
3. Academic Training – administering primary school curriculum to educable MDVI children at
the Centre and enabling them to appear for examinations through municipal schools in the vicinity.
4. Picnics and Outings
5. Providing intensive training in plus curriculum to MDVI children and gradually facilitating their inclusion in special schools or IE programs.