Author: Sunil Abbas

3rd NCDB 2025

3rd NCDB 2025

Posted on by Sunil Abbas

3rd NCDB 2025

  1. Dear Friends and Colleagues,

    I am delighted to share a positive report on the 3rd National Conference of the Deaf-Blind (NCDB) 2025, hosted by the Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind (SEDB) India. This significant event, funded by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPWD) and supported by the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD), Vidya Sagar, and Chetana Charitable Trust, took place in Chennai from January 31st to February 1st, 2025.

    Each supporting organization played a crucial role in making this conference a success:
    •   Vidya Sagar, founded by Dr. Poonam Natarajan, handled all logistics and finances.
    •   NIEPMD, under the leadership of Director Dr. Nachiketa Rout, organized the participation of esteemed chief guests.
    •   Chetana Charitable Trust, founded and led by Dr. Namita Jacob, took care of the program and overall arrangements, including accessibility, conference kits, participant registrations, and tactile signing interpreters.

    More than 40 deafblind participants, along with their interpreters from across India, attended the conference at Dhyana Ashram, Chennai. The keynote was delivered by Smt. Geeta Sharma, Vice President of the National Association of the Deaf. A person with Usher Syndrome herself, she spoke with passion and conviction, connecting deeply with every member of the audience.

    A hearing representative, Andesha, from ISLRTC, New Delhi, attended this event to learn about tactile signing interpreting services. Mr. Raja, Co-founder of V-Shesh, spoke about employment efforts while Mrs. Leelavathi and Mr Subbaiah spoke about government schemes.

    SEDB played a crucial role in reaching out to the deafblind community and coordinating with all the participants. Deafblind leaders and advocates, including myself, Mr. Pradip Sinha, and Mr. Sunil Abbas, actively contributed to important discussions on our rights and facilitated other deafblind members in sharing their experiences. It was inspiring to see so many members of the SEDB community passionately advocating for their rights.

    A notable highlight was that all deafblind participants traveled independently to Chennai by train and flight—a testament to their empowerment and confidence.

    The Chetana Charitable Trust team, under the leadership of Dr. Namita Jacob, in partnership with SEDB, conducted a survey with all deafblind participants, collecting valuable data that will be compiled into a report for government officials to strengthen advocacy and employment opportunities for the deafblind community.

    The inauguration ceremony on January 31st, 2025, at NIEPMD Chennai, was graced by the presence of our esteemed Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, who attended to support SEDB and our cause. With high security in place, the Vice President lit the ceremonial lamp to officially open the conference—the first of its kind in India for the deafblind community.

    Another memorable moment of the event was when Ms. Varsha Pattem, a DeafBlind individual, along with her husband, Mr. Murugesh Pattem, presented a handcrafted purse bag designed by Ms. Varsha to the wife of the Honorable Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, at NIEPMD. This unique bag, made using intricate crochet techniques, was a proud representation of the skills and artistry of the DeafBlind community.

    I had the honor of delivering a speech welcoming the Vice President, government officials, and all deafblind participants. I spoke about SEDB, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act 2016, and the significance of accessibility for the deafblind community in India. Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed his admiration and deepened his understanding of our community’s needs and aspirations.
    •   The first NCDB in 2020 was a good start.
    •   The second NCDB in 2023 showed progress.
    •   The third NCDB in 2025 has been the best so far, with the largest number of deafblind participants!

    Another memorable moment was the drum circle organized by Yoga Thalam, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all the participants.

    This has been a dream come true for me, and I am incredibly grateful to Pradip and Sunil for their efforts in bringing so many deafblind friends together. As a special gesture, Sunil Abbas and his wife, Rachael Sunil, gifted mobility kits to all deafblind participants.

    The conference was filled with learning, laughter, and meaningful conversations. It was truly a milestone for the deafblind community in India.

    Warm regards,

    Zamir Dhale
    Founder, Project Director & Advocacy Consultant, SEDB India
    Asian Representative, World Federation of the Deafblind (WFDB)

3rd NCDB 2025 Photo

Urgent Appeal for Support for Deaf-Blind Community Training Programs

Posted on by Sunil Abbas

Request for Financial Support and Assistance in Securing Funds

Dear Donors and Well-wishers,

I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits.

I am writing to inform you that the Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind (SEDB) India has successfully started classes for deafblind students at the Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for Hearing and Speech Disabilities (AYJNIHD), Mumbai, from the 16th of August. We are deeply grateful to AYJNIHD for providing us with free space to conduct these classes.

However, we are facing significant challenges in securing funds to support the ongoing efforts for the deafblind community. We require approximately ₹50,000 per month to cover essential expenses, including payments for trainers and coordinators, stipends for trainees, food, and local travel.

Many deafblind adults remain unemployed and continue to face hardships due to their inability to find work. Some have resorted to begging to survive. Our mission is to empower them by providing opportunities for independent living and dignified employment. Despite our efforts to reach out to sponsors and funding agencies, we have not been able to secure the necessary support yet.

We are in desperate need of your help and guidance to connect with potential donors or funding agencies. We also request assistance with applying for financial aid through various platforms, as our team faces accessibility challenges when navigating online registration processes. Any contribution, no matter how small, would go a long way in ensuring that our programs continue to provide hope and a brighter future for the deafblind community.

Should you be willing to support us, we can provide you with all the necessary documents, including our 12A, 80G, and CSR-1 certifications. We are also happy to send our full proposal via email. Please feel free to reach out to me directly via WhatsApp (text only) at +91 9998751125 or email me at zamir@sedbindia.org. We would be glad to answer any questions you may have and discuss how you can contribute.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and generosity. Your support will make a significant difference in the lives of many. Kindly share this with your friends and family.

Warm regards,
Zamir Dhale
Founder, Director, and Consultant
Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind (SEDB) India
Email: zamir@sedbindia.org
Website: www.sedbindia.org

Request for Support and Collaboration

Posted on by Sunil Abbas

Request for Support and Collaboration

Dated: 24/09/2024

Dear Sir/Madam,

I hope this message finds you well. I am pleased to share some wonderful news regarding the Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind (SEDB) India, a non-profit organization. SEDB is the first organization in the country run by deaf-blind volunteers, and our mission is to empower the deaf-blind community through education, skills training, assistive technology, and employment opportunities. In addition, we actively advocate for our rights and stand against all forms of discrimination.

I am also happy to inform you that SEDB has entered into a collaboration with the Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for Hearing and Speech Disabilities (AYJNIHD), Mumbai. Together, we aim to establish training classes for deaf-blind students, with the director of AYJNIHD generously agreeing to provide us with classrooms for this purpose. I have also reached out to the Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), who has expressed support for this initiative. Additionally, we have registered our proposal under the PM DAKSH government grant to sponsor our training activities.

Our training classes will focus on developing skills such as Braille literacy, communication techniques, computer and mobile usage, and tactile signing interpretation for the deaf-blind community.

I kindly request your support for SEDB by providing Braille materials, computer theory, phone application training, and a diploma certification for a tactile signing interpreter course. The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) will issue diploma certificates to deaf-blind individuals and interpreters for both the hearing and the deaf. As you are already familiar with me and the work of SEDB from our previous meetings, I would like to gently remind you of our proposal and request a positive response.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours sincerely,
Zamir Dhale
Founder, Director, and Consultant
Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind (SEDB) India
Email: zamir@sedbindia.org
Mobile: 9998755125 (Text only)
Website: www.sedbindia.org
Asian Representative, World Federation of the Deafblind (WFDB)

Urgent Support Request for Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind (SEDB)

Posted on by Sunil Abbas

Support the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind Community in India

We, the deafblind community at SEDB, are facing significant financial challenges. Our resources have been depleted, leaving hundreds of families in desperate need. We humbly request your assistance to help us continue our mission. Any contribution, no matter the amount, will make a difference. Donations can be made using Net Banking, Debit or Credit cards, and popular wallets.

Donation Methods

Bank Transfer Information:

•   Account Name: Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind
•   Account Number: 35733949762
•   Bank: State Bank of India
•   Branch: Fort Market (Mumbai)
•   IFSC Code: SBIN0005347
•   MICR: 400002025
•   UPI ID: societyforempower@sbi

Donation/Sponsorship Options:

1. Fixed Monthly/Yearly Donations:
•   From INR 300 to 5000
2. Specific Sponsorships:
•   Website Maintenance: INR 19700 per annum
•   Skill Development and Education Training: INR 90000 per annum
•   Basic Computer Training: INR 24000 per annum
•   Electronic Bills: INR 4000 per month
•   Medical and Food Expenses for Deaf/Deafblind Women: INR 10000 per month
•   Perkins Brailler: INR 35000 each
•   Laptop for Trainee Online Training: INR 35000 each
•   Rent for Training Centre in Pune/ classroom at AYJNIHD’ Mumbai: INR 5000 per month
•   Trainers and Tactile Signing Interpreters: INR 90000 per month
•   Adopt an Elderly Person: INR 5000 per month
•   Food Packets/Ration Kits Sponsorship:

About Us

SEDB India, founded and run by deafblind individuals, is a registered Disabled People’s Organization and Non-Profit Organization. We aim to empower deafblind adults through education, skill training, assistive technologies, and employment opportunities. We also advocate for our rights and against discrimination. Our head office is in Nasik, Maharashtra, with a branch office in Mumbai. We plan to expand to Pune and Delhi.

Your donations are eligible for tax write-offs as per Income Tax Exemption under Form 80G, including CSR-1 number: CSR00047106.

Contact:

•   Founder’ Director and Consultant: Zamir Dhale
•   Email: zamir@sedbindia.org
•   General Email: info@sedbindia.org
•   Website: SEDB India
•   Registered Address: Bashir; S.No.809 H.No. 2954/Q/01; near IDBI Bank Wadala Naka, Nashik-422306

We sincerely look forward to your support for the empowerment of the deafblind community through SEDB. Please share your details for a receipt once the donation is received.

Thank you for your generosity.

Join Us in Empowering the Deaf-Blind Community: Volunteer and Support Opportunities with SEDB India

Posted on by Sunil Abbas

Empowering the Deaf-Blind Community: How You Can Make a Difference with SEDB India

**About Us**

The Society for The Empowerment of The Deaf-Blind (SEDB) India is a young organization, founded by individuals with deafblindness. Our mission is to advocate for the rights of persons with deafblindness and empower them through education, information sharing, technology, skill development, and employment.

**Our Story**

We, Lion Sunil Abbas and Mr. Zamir Dhale, were both born with acute deafness and later experienced vision loss. Having studied at different schools for the deaf and worked together, we are now committed to ensuring that our community receives the recognition and support it needs. Our goal is to create facilities and provisions that enable individuals with deafblindness to live independent lives.

**Our Mission**

At SEDB India, our mission is to advocate for the rights of persons with deafblindness. We strive to gain official recognition of our disabilities to bring about positive change, ensuring that others in our community can lead fulfilling and complete lives.

**How You Can Help**

We are currently seeking volunteers in Mumbai, Nasik, Pune, and Bangalore. We need individuals with various skills, including:

– Communication: Assisting with written and spoken communication in English and other languages.
– Workshops: Conducting workshops for parents of persons with deafness and deafblindness.
– Content Creation: Writing books, manuals, and other educational materials.
– Fundraising: Managing online fundraising efforts.
– Accounting: Assisting with annual accounting reports.

**Ways to Support Us Financially**

1. Fixed Monthly Donations: Regular contributions ranging from Rs.300 to Rs.5000 or more are crucial to our work.
2. Donation Boxes: Help us place and manage donation boxes in public spaces such as hotels, airports, malls, and companies.
3. Salary Deductions: Encourage corporate employees to contribute a percentage of their salaries each month.
4. Funding Agencies: Connect us with funding agencies; we can prepare project plans for workshops, advocacy, and targeted assistance.
5. Awareness Campaigns: Collaborate with schools and universities to raise awareness of our rights.
6. Other Ideas: We welcome any other suggestions that could strengthen our cause, especially through social and mainstream media.

**Our Partners**

– World Federation of the Deafblind (WFDB): SEDB is the National Representative.
– Deafblind International (DBI): SEDB is the National Representative.

**Contact Us**

– Lion Sunil Abbas
Email: sunil@sedbindia.org

– Zamir Dhale
Email: zamir@sedbindia.org

– Website: www.sedbindia.org

My Experience at the Independence Day Celebration at Rashtrapati Bhavan

My Experience at the Independence Day Celebration at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Posted on by Sunil Abbas

Reflecting on My Invitation to Rashtrapati Bhavan: The Need for Tactile Communication Awareness for the Deafblind

Dear Friends and Colleagues,
I would like to share my recent experience and feedback. I was honored to receive an invitation from Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President’s House, to attend the Independence Day celebration on the 15th of August, 2024, in New Delhi. The event was attended by many achievers with disabilities, like myself, in the ceremonial hall. The campus was vast, with multiple gates, and security was tight, including numerous police officers. We entered through Gate No. 35 but were not allowed to use our phones once inside.
We were seated while other non-disabled attendees stood, waiting for the President, Vice President, and Prime Minister of India to arrive. I was accompanied by my professional tactile signing interpreters, Ms. Manisha Sharma and Ms. Sarah Sharma. When our Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, entered the hall, he was engaged in conversation with several ministers and foreign dignitaries, exchanging greetings.
Due to strict security measures, I was not allowed to shake hands with the Prime Minister, which was disappointing, especially as a deafblind achiever who relies on tactile communication. It became evident that many people, including high-ranking officials, were unfamiliar with tactile signing—a method of communication through touch that is essential for individuals like me who cannot see, hear, or speak. At one point, it seemed as though people misunderstood my use of tactile signing with my interpreters, possibly thinking we were behaving strangely because of our disabilities. The situation was somewhat amusing in hindsight, as they might have thought we were fighting or dancing.
Despite these challenges, the event was excellent, and I enjoyed the refreshments, coffee, and snacks provided. I took the opportunity to educate others about the deafblind community and the work of SEDB India. Unfortunately, I could not bring my notepad and pen due to strict security protocols, which further complicated communication.
I found it frustrating that the security officers did not allow me to touch any VIPs, as touch is crucial for me to understand what is happening around me. This experience highlights the need for greater advocacy and awareness of tactile communication for deafblind individuals in India. Touch is not a bad idea; it is a vital tool for us to interact with the world.
I am deeply grateful to my tactile signing interpreters for advocating on my behalf and to the team from DEPWD under MSJE, Government of India, for their support and encouragement in allowing me to attend this event for the first time.
Thank you all for your continued support. I am hopeful that in the future, more people will learn how to effectively communicate with deafblind individuals. I also want to express my thanks to Anubha for introducing me to the fan wrestler, Mr. Virendra.
Yours sincerely,
Zamir Dhale
Founder, Director, and Consultant
SEDB India

 

Mr. Zamir Dhale Honored at illuminATe Initiative Launch by Bajaj Finserv & AssisTech Foundation

Posted on by Sunil Abbas

Zamir Dhale Speaks at illuminATe Initiative Launch, Emphasizes Assistive Technology’s Impact on Deafblind Community

Mr. Zamir Dhale was honored to attend the official launch of the illuminATe initiative, an event dedicated to showcasing the most promising solutions for enabling education and interventions for children with speech and hearing impairments, as well as those with neurodiversity. Bajaj Finserv, in partnership with the AssisTech Foundation (ATF), has partnered to provide access to Assistive Technology (AT) for over 3,000 children with disabilities, ensuring they receive the education and appropriate interventions they need.

To mark the beginning of this collaboration, a kickoff event was held on August 12th, 2024, at Four Points by Sheraton in Viman Nagar, Pune. Mr. Dhale’s expertise, insights, and collaboration have added immense value to this initiative. He was honored to share his experience of how Assistive Technology has empowered his life and his vision for revolutionizing the lives of persons with deafblindness through AT. Additionally, the audience was eager to hear about his work with the Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind (SEDB) and their goals for the future.

The event also featured demonstrations by four pioneering startups, each offering groundbreaking products that are poised to significantly impact the lives of children with disabilities.

After the speakers delivered their presentations via PowerPoint and showcased their work through well-crafted videos, Ms. Chahat, an AT researcher, invited Mr. Dhale to share a few words about his life experiences in obtaining technologies such as Braille devices and how they are helping deafblind children and adults in India. He spoke about the challenges faced by the deafblind community in accessing technologies, such as the inability to effectively use video calls due to a lack of readable content and emotional connection.

Mr. Dhale expressed his gratitude to ATF and Bajaj Finserv for their support in achieving and successfully accessing these technologies. He firmly believes that technology will be the key to reaching solutions for all persons with disabilities.