Category: Uncategorized

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

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)

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.

**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

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.

Dear Supporters,

The deafblind community at SEDB is currently facing significant financial challenges, with our resources depleted and hundreds of families in desperate need. We humbly request your assistance to help us continue our mission. Any contribution, regardless of 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 19,700 per annum
– **Skill Development and Education Training:** INR 90,000 per annum
– **Basic Computer Training:** INR 24,000 per annum
– **Electronic Bills:** INR 4,000 per month
– **Medical and Food Expenses for Deaf/Deafblind Women:** INR 10,000 per month
– **Perkins Brailler:** INR 35,000 each
– **Laptop for Trainee Online Training:** INR 35,000 each
– **Rent for Training Centre in Pune:** INR 30,000 per month
– **Trainers and Tactile Signing Interpreters:** INR 90,000 per month
– **Adopt an Elderly Person:** INR 5,000 per month
– **Food Packets/Ration Kits Sponsorship:**

### About Us

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

Your donations qualify for tax exemptions under Income Tax Exemption Form 80G, including CSR-1 number: CSR00047106.

**Contact:**
– **Founder and Director:** Zamir Dhale
– **Email:** zamir@3.111.144.114
– **General Email:** info@3.111.144.114
– **Website:** [SEDB India](http://3.111.144.114)
– **Registered Address:** Bashir; S.No.809, H.No. 2954/Q/01; near IDBI Bank, Wadala Naka, Nashik-422306

We sincerely appreciate your support in empowering the deafblind community through SEDB. Please provide your details for a receipt upon donating.

Thank you for your generosity.

Dear Friends,

I am writing to share an important experience from the 18th and 19th of May, 2024. Mr. Sunil Abbas, a prominent deafblind leader, and I attended the 2nd Deaf Cricket Tournament in Nasik as guests. The event was wonderfully organized by the Mumbai Association of Cricket Deaf (MACD) with support from SEDB. Special thanks to Mr. Raju and Mr. Sadik Pathan, GS of MACD. We had a fantastic time watching the matches and were grateful for the support of all donors who encouraged the deaf cricketers and sponsored the event.

However, upon our return to Mumbai on the 20th of May, we encountered significant issues at the CSMT railway station. After arriving early in the morning, we attempted to book the AC waiting room to rest before catching our train to Chennai. Unfortunately, we were informed by the receptionist that the AC waiting room was full and were directed to the sleeper waiting room instead. We felt that this treatment was due to our disabilities, as the receptionist seemed to assume that a deafblind traveler would not be able to use the facilities properly.

Sunil advocated for our right to stay in the AC room, but we were still denied access. We then went to Dadar and faced similar discrimination, being pushed out of the AC waiting room despite arguing for our rights for 30 minutes. The receptionist scolded us and insisted we stay in the sleeper waiting room. This experience made us feel disrespected and disregarded.

It is crucial that Indian Railways and the Ministry of Railways address this issue. Airports have accessible toilet facilities for disabled travelers, and trains are becoming more accessible. However, the lack of accessible AC waiting rooms for disabled travelers is a significant oversight. Given the extreme heat in Mumbai, it is especially important that all travelers, including those with disabilities, have access to comfortable and accessible waiting areas.

We urge the Ministry of Railways to ensure that accessible and comfortable accommodations are available for disabled travelers in the future. Thank you for your support in this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Zamir Dhale
Founder, Director, and Consultant
Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind (SEDB) India

Mr. Zamir Dhale’s presentation at the Purple Talks event, organized by the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, showcased an innovative approach to communication with the deaf-blind community. Despite the initial challenge of an unavailable tactile sign language interpreter, his session unfolded smoothly thanks to creative problem-solving.
Utilizing technology, Mr. Dhale engaged with the audience through a unique mode of communication. His speech was initially delivered verbally by an interpreter, and he then responded to questions via a Refreshable Braille Display Device connected to WhatsApp. This allowed him to read the questions and respond through sign language, while his video was displayed on a screen and an interpreter voiced out his answers. This novel approach not only facilitated communication but also provided valuable insights into the challenges faced by the deaf-blind community and the changes needed for their empowerment.
The session proved to be enlightening for the audience, offering a fresh perspective and highlighting the importance of adapting communication methods to accommodate diverse needs. Mr. Zamir Dhale’s efforts were appreciated, demonstrating the power of innovation in fostering inclusivity and empowerment. Link below:
https://www.google.com/url?q=https://rcidepwd.webex.com/recordingservice/sites/rcidepwd/recording/playback/ac3bc51dabcd4fabaa0e59aae8660e60&source=gmail&ust=1715065481937000&usg=AOvVaw3B4_W_RTeyWKBSkCtasySu
Link to the video recording

Dear Sir/Madam,
We are delighted to inform you of our plans to organize the 2nd Cricket Tournament, scheduled to be held on Saturday & Sunday, May 18th to 19th, 2024, in Nashik, Maharashtra.
Our aim in hosting this tournament is to provide deaf individuals with the opportunity to participate in and enjoy the sport of cricket, which is a first in India. Your wholehearted support will make a significant difference in achieving this goal.
The event will take place at the Police Parade Ground, PFR, Sharanpur Rd, Near New Pandit Colony, Tilak Wadi, Summati Colony, Nashik, Maharashtra-422022. We anticipate overwhelming support, building upon the success of our previous cricket programs, and expect deaf participants from various parts of the state to attend.
By organizing this event, we aim to offer deaf individuals a platform to showcase their talents, enhancing their self-confidence and self-respect. Additionally, we seek to foster affection, respect, fraternity, and happiness among the participants.
To make this event a grand success, we kindly request your support through donations and sponsorships. Your contribution will go a long way in helping us achieve our goal. You can send your donations directly to our account at Account No. 35733949762, Fort Market (Mumbai), 239, Roopam Hotel Building, (IFSC Code SBIN0005347). We would appreciate it if you could inform us before transferring your donation to our bank account. Receipts will be issued for online transfers.
We, the Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind (SEDB), in collaboration with the Mumbai Association Cricket of the Deaf (MACD), are dedicated to supporting deaf team members in achieving their goals at the earliest opportunity.
Furthermore, please note that our association is registered under 80-G Certificate of Income Tax Act, 1961, making any donations made to us tax-deductible.
Thank you for considering this request letter and for your support. We eagerly look forward to your cooperation and a favorable’
Yours sincerelly’
Mr Sadik Pathan
Co-Founder(SEDB) and General Secretary
MACD

Mr. Zamir Dhale
Founder’ Director and Consultant
Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind(SEDB)
Email: zamir@3.111.144.114
Mob: 9998751125(whatsapp message only)
Web: www.sedbindia.rg

“Unlocking Worlds: Celebrating Book and Copyright Day with SEDB Team’s Deafblind Perspective”
In a world where words bridge understanding and books open doors to knowledge, the SEDB team, including members who are deafblind, extends warm wishes on World Book and Copyright Day.
For us, books are not just companions; they are lifelines, enabling us to grasp the intricacies of the world around us. Regardless of language barriers, we embrace the power of Braille and large print to access a diverse array of literature. From timeless classics to the latest releases, each page brings us closer to enlightenment.
Comic books, with their whimsical tales and vibrant illustrations, hold a special place in our hearts. They not only entertain but also impart valuable lessons, spreading joy and wisdom in equal measure.
Knowledge is a boundless treasure, enriching minds and empowering voices. Through education and advocacy, we amplify our voices, using email, letters, and social media to champion causes close to our hearts. Despite our inability to speak, we make our voices heard, advocating for inclusivity and equal opportunities.
Education is our passport to the future, and we pursue it with unwavering determination. Despite the challenges we face, we persevere, undertaking examinations and embracing the rigors of academia. Through hard work and dedication, we defy stereotypes and pave our own path to success.
In the digital age, copyright protection is more crucial than ever. We navigate the internet with caution, respecting intellectual property rights and ensuring that information is shared responsibly. By upholding copyright laws, we contribute to a culture of respect and integrity online.
As we celebrate World Book and Copyright Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to literacy, accessibility, and intellectual freedom. Together, let us continue to unlock worlds and empower minds, one page at a time.