The goal of any or all activities that are aimed at the upliftment of any population is their economic independence and that can only be achieved through proper capacity building.  NAB has always borne this fact in its planning.  That is why NAB started the programme of Integrated Education in 60’s itself when this idea was not much known.  Three children in Bombay were sent to a regular school and eventually all three of them went a long way in their lives. 

History:

In the early part of the last century, education of the blind was carried out through special schools.  In the most part, these children stayed there and got educated.  They were also taught elementary trades which would lead them to some kind of vocational rehabilitation.  However, not much could be achieved in this way.  Hence, from early 60’s, the idea of integrated education started to be implemented.  Gradually, it became the order of the day.

Activities:

The Department carries out a number of activities that go a long way in educating the blind population of this country.  These activities have ranged from integrated education to manpower development. 

Integrated Education:

In fact this is the most important activity of the Department.  By integrated education implies that blind children are admitted in regular schools and a Special Teacher is appointed in the ratio of 1 teacher for 8-10 students.  This Special Teacher acts as a facilitator between the blind student, regular teacher and the family of the student.  The teacher visits the students at least twice a week and teaches him/her plus curriculum (such as Braille, Taylor’s Frame, Abacus etc.) 

This activity of the Department has enabled many blind children to get access to education in the nook and corner of the country.  In the year 2007-08 this activity has benefited 835 students (486 boys and 349 girls) in of 534 villages of 9 states.  These students were studying in 557 regular schools and 88 Special Teachers were employed for this purpose.  The approximate cost of this programme amounted to Rs.40,000/-. 

Scholarships:

The Department offers scholarships to students for academic purposes.  This amount helps them to meet their school expenses.  In the year 2007-08 365 students from 10 states were awarded scholarships from various endowment funds.  The Department spent an amount of 1,82,000/- for this purpose.  Besides 46 students studying in Std. XI and XII in Mumbai were also awarded scholarships.

Sponsorship:  

Besides providing scholarships the Department also provides sponsorship to needy students.  This amount is used by the students to fulfill their personal needs such as school uniforms, foot wares, etc.  This is another way of enticing poor parents to send their children to school. In the year 2007-08 489 students from 5 states received sponsorship worth 4,89,00/-.   

Distribution of Braille Kits:

The Department distributes special aids such writing frame, arithmetic frame, other geometric appliances etc. in a bag to students for their use.  In the year 2007-08 824 children from 13 states received this gift through the cooperation of donors such as Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon-2007, Give India etc. at the cost of Rs.5,05,866/-. 

Distribution of Braillers:  

For higher education and employed persons the Department organizes free distribution of Braillers.  In the year 2007-08 the Department distributed 64 Braillers worth 6,08,000/-.  Department carries out sale of Braillers at no profit no loss.  These Braillers are manufactured in India by Worth Trust. 

Sale of Aids and Equipments: 

The Department also conducts sale of special aids and equipments required by the blind.  In the past year the Department sold products worth 27,21,770/-. 

Manpower Development:

The Department has consciously striven to work for the development of Human Resources.  To this end, several programmes have been conducted.  Several training programmes for integrated teachers, volunteers, parents and regular teachers have been conducted all over India.  In the past year, 244 people have participated in these programmes.  Besides this, the Department continuously organizes integrated camp to provide opportunities for the blind and sighted children to mix amongst each other and learn from each other.  In the past year, 106 students participated in these camps from 3 states.  5 skill development camps were organized for blind students for enhancing their special skills.  146 students from 5 states participated in these camps.  

Homebased Programme for Children with Visual Impairment and Additional Disabilities:  

As has always been the case, NAB started an innovative project in 1995 in collaboration with Sense International.  This programme was aimed at providing training to those children who were suffering from visual and additional disabilities.  This programme was a homebased project wherein the Special Teacher visited the homes of these children and tried to impart training using their residual senses.  The success of this programme has resulted in its repplication in several states of India.  In the year 2007-08, 80 students from Mumbai and surrounding areas have benefited from this programme.  The programme cost is approximately Rs.700,000/-.  Several of these students have also attended the centres at Thane, Sion and Andheri. 

There are additionally 2 units of 10 children each in 5 states namely, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala etc.  This programme is unique in that it aims at development of those children whose powers are fairly weak.  This programme is partially supported by Hilton-Perkins of the USA.

Consultative Services:

The personnel of the Department have been participating in various workshops and other meetings in consultative capacities.  Many of the members of the Department have been serving on several important committees of the Government of India and crucial policymaking bodies. 

Training Centre for the Teachers of Visually Handicapped:

This centre started in the year 2000.  The centre offers a 2-year Diploma in Special Education for visually impaired recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India.  Presently, there are 40 students undergoing this training programme.  There are 17 blind students.  The Diploma goes a long way to promote much-needed manpower to carry out inclusive education.  This programme is partially supported by the Christoffel Blindenmission. 

Conclusion:

Thus, it is clear from the foregoing that there is no activity in the education of the blind students that has not been covered by the NAB.  In fact, many of the ideas and activities that have now been practiced in other areas of disabilities have had their origins in the ideas generated by NAB in the field of education of the visually impaired students.