VAANI Deaf Children’s Foundation (Formerly IDCS-India) Integrating Deaf Children in CBR Issues for Consideration Presented by: Ms. Brinda Crishna During: CBR Forum Partners Meet (South) Date: 6 th Jun 2008 Venue: Don Bosco, Bangalore

VAANI VISION and MISSION Access for every deaf child Access to communication Access to communication Access to information and the knowledge to comprehend it in its entirety Access to information and the knowledge to comprehend it in its entirety Access to education Access to education Access to equal opportunities Access to equal opportunities Access to protection and safety Access to protection and safety Access to a full and complete life Access to a full and complete life

Our Work Involves Partnerships in the following States Partnerships in the following States Karnataka / West Bengal /Assam /Gujarat Karnataka / West Bengal /Assam /Gujarat Different kinds of projects we partner with: Different kinds of projects we partner with: CBR Projects, Special Schools, Pre-primary Education for Deaf, Parents Training Programmes, Information Kiosks, Technical partnerships

Our CBR Partners In Karnataka In Karnataka Association of People with Disabilities (APD) Association of People with Disabilities (APD) Samuha Samarthya Samuha Samarthya In West Bengal In West Bengal Graham Bell Centre for Deaf Graham Bell Centre for Deaf In Assam In Assam Swabalambhi CBR project Swabalambhi CBR project In Meghalaya In Meghalaya Ferrando Speech & Learning Centre Ferrando Speech & Learning Centre

CBR- a cross disability approach an approach which involves all categories of disability an approach which involves all categories of disability promotes collective planning for each category of disability promotes collective planning for each category of disability approach seeks co-operation and networking from all stakeholders, both Govt. and non govt. organisation approach seeks co-operation and networking from all stakeholders, both Govt. and non govt. organisationRehabilitation an approach which seeks inclusion of disabled people an approach which seeks inclusion of disabled people access to health care, education, emotional security etc. access to health care, education, emotional security etc. Informed choice Informed choice full participation in decision making on issues concerning self, family and community full participation in decision making on issues concerning self, family and community

Background…deaf children in CBR services CBR workers are multi-purpose rehabilitation professionals. Their role is generally to: provide information about services, schemes and statutory provisions including provide information about services, schemes and statutory provisions including linking with Block Development schemes linking with Block Development schemes linking with Sarva Shiksha Abihyan (SSA) linking with Sarva Shiksha Abihyan (SSA) linking with Gram Panchayat activities linking with Gram Panchayat activities other community level resources other community level resources sensitise family and community about disabilities sensitise family and community about disabilities assist with child’s admission to school assist with child’s admission to school provide support to teachers in ordinary schools for inclusion provide support to teachers in ordinary schools for inclusion provide home based services to individual children provide home based services to individual children

What we feel is going well The CBR structures are in place in terms of mapping of villages, recruitment of staff, identifying children, division of work The CBR structures are in place in terms of mapping of villages, recruitment of staff, identifying children, division of work Established networks with other NGO’s and GO’s Established networks with other NGO’s and GO’s Training of anganwadi teachers, government teachers under ICDS, SSA schemes and other programmes Training of anganwadi teachers, government teachers under ICDS, SSA schemes and other programmes Know how to access schemes and facilities from the government and ensure the parents are able to benefit from the schemes Know how to access schemes and facilities from the government and ensure the parents are able to benefit from the schemes Several years of knowledge and experience Several years of knowledge and experience Have integrated women from families of deaf children into SHG’s Have integrated women from families of deaf children into SHG’s

Facts…deaf children in CBR services Deafness is an invisible disability, it is a crucial sensory deficit which has an impact on a basic human function… COMMUNICATION. CBR workers face their greatest challenge in the rehabilitation of deaf children

Status…deaf children in CBR services limited language and communication skills limited language and communication skills very poor literacy skills very poor literacy skills may be attending local schools but no inclusion may be attending local schools but no inclusion poor community involvement poor community involvement ignorance about the complexities of deafness as a disability amongst families and CBR workers leading to isolation within families and the community ignorance about the complexities of deafness as a disability amongst families and CBR workers leading to isolation within families and the community Face ridicule, neglect and abuse Face ridicule, neglect and abuse

Our Concerns in CBR Have not understood all the implications of impact of deafness on language Have not understood all the implications of impact of deafness on language CBR programmes are not designed to impart language or education to the deaf child and no additional support to children attending government schools CBR programmes are not designed to impart language or education to the deaf child and no additional support to children attending government schools Work with parents limited to imparting benefits and schemes and also involving them in SHG’s Work with parents limited to imparting benefits and schemes and also involving them in SHG’s There are not sufficient referral points for other alternatives / higher education and vocational training There are not sufficient referral points for other alternatives / higher education and vocational training There is a need to develop good role models There is a need to develop good role models A resource person for sign language is required A resource person for sign language is required Communication needs of children not being met Communication needs of children not being met Social and emotional needs of hearing impaired children not being addressed Social and emotional needs of hearing impaired children not being addressed

What we have done: Parents training on Parents training on Developing communication Developing communication Social and Emotional Needs of Deaf Children Social and Emotional Needs of Deaf Children Training to parents and CBR workers on Pre- Reading and Reading Skills Training to parents and CBR workers on Pre- Reading and Reading Skills Training to parents and CBR workers on providing auditory training to their deaf children Training to parents and CBR workers on providing auditory training to their deaf children Sign language Training to CBR Workers and Parents Sign language Training to CBR Workers and Parents

What We Have Done – Contd. 2 Workshops for CBR workers to prepare necessary teaching aids Workshops for CBR workers to prepare necessary teaching aids Training to parents and CBR workers on ‘How to Tell a Story’ and to teach language using daily activities Training to parents and CBR workers on ‘How to Tell a Story’ and to teach language using daily activities Regular Parents Meetings Regular Parents Meetings Exposure Visits for Parents and CBR Workers Exposure Visits for Parents and CBR Workers Teaching Learning Material Produced Teaching Learning Material Produced

Our question to you…… How do we provide access to every deaf child: ?