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Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind(SEDB) India
Empowering Deaf and Deafblind Women: Bridging the Gap to Accessible Justice
Introduction:
Today marks International Disability Day, a day to reflect on the challenges faced by disabled individuals, particularly focusing on the hurdles that deaf and deafblind women encounter when seeking justice in cases of wrongdoing or mistreatment by their spouses. This discussion sheds light on the barriers preventing these women from filing complaints, such as a lack of awareness, communication challenges, and fear. It emphasizes the urgent need for increased awareness, sensitivity, and accessibility in legal avenues, aiming to empower these women to claim their rights.
Barriers to Justice:
Many disabled women, especially those who are deaf or deafblind, find themselves unable to file complaints against husbands who have wronged them. This could be due to husbands abandoning them due to their disabilities, neglecting their children’s education and living conditions, or displaying prejudice against daughters. The primary barriers preventing these women from seeking justice include a lack of awareness regarding their rights, communication difficulties, and the fear of the legal process.
Lack of Awareness and Accessibility:
The crucial issue lies in the lack of awareness and accessibility when it comes to filing complaints against spouses. Disabled women, unaware of their rights, often struggle to access legal services. This ignorance extends to the belief that legal services may not be free, leaving them hesitant to seek help due to potential financial constraints.
Empowering Through Awareness:
To address these challenges, it is imperative to create awareness and sensitize all courts and legal services about the specific rights and needs of deaf and deafblind women. District Legal Aid Services should play a crucial role in ensuring that information is disseminated effectively, ensuring that these women know how to access justice and what resources are available to them.
Breaking Communication Barriers:
Efforts must be directed towards breaking down communication barriers. Training programs should be initiated to educate legal professionals, police personnel, and support staff on effective communication methods with deaf and deafblind individuals. This includes the provision of sign language interpreters and other tools to facilitate communication.
Ensuring Free Legal Aid:
To dispel fears of financial constraints, it is essential to educate disabled women about the availability of free legal aid services. This information should be widely disseminated through community outreach programs, local organizations, and support networks.
Conclusion:
Empowering deaf and deafblind women involves dismantling the obstacles preventing them from seeking justice. By raising awareness, breaking communication barriers, and ensuring accessible legal aid services, we can create a more just and inclusive society. It is crucial to recognize and address the unique challenges faced by disabled women and work collectively to provide them with the support and resources needed to assert their rights.

It’s truly inspiring to see the remarkable achievements of Mr. Zamir Dhale and the Society For the Empowerment Of The Deaf-Blind (SEDB) in India. The organization’s commitment to empowering both Deaf and Deafblind individuals is commendable, and Mr. Zamir Dhale’s personal journey reflects his dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of people with visual and hearing challenges. Some key points and achievements highlighted in the provided information include:
Personal Achievements:
1.
Computer Accessibility Advocacy (2000):
•Fought for and obtained a computer with a Braille keyboard, showcasing early advocacy efforts for accessibility.
2.
Vocational Award (2006):
•Received the Vocational Award in 2006 from the Rotary Club of Bombay Pier for outstanding contributions to the betterment of the visually challenged.
3.
International Exposure (2002):
•Visited the Helen Keller National Centre in New York, USA, and participated in the American Association Of the Deafblind (AADB) in San Diego, California.
4.
Bollywood Movie “BLACK” (2003):
•Involved in the making of the Bollywood movie ‘BLACK’ in 2003, supporting lead actors in understanding and portraying characters with deafblindness.
5.
Advocacy Officer at Sense International India (2006):
•Joined Sense International India as an Advocacy Officer in 2006.
6.
National Trust Board Membership (2006):
•Became the first Board Member of the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation & Multiple Disabilities in 2006.
7.
Legal Guardianship Committee (2007):
•Selected as a member of the Local Level Committee in West Delhi to ensure legal guardianship under the National Trust Act.
8.
Accessibility Audit Team (2008):
•Selected as a member of the team for an accessibility audit in Delhi supported by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in 2008.
9.
Banking Accessibility (2009):
•Successfully obtained a bank account with ATM card, net banking, and a cheque book independently in 2009.
Recognition and Awards:
1.
International Exposure (2010):
•Visited the National Association of Deafblind in Uganda, East Africa, as the Udaan President on an exposure visit.
2.
Cavin Clavare Ability Mastery Award (2010):
•Received the Cavin Clavare Ability Mastery Award in 2010.
3.
Role Model Awards (2011):
•Honored with the Role Model Award by Retina India in 2011 and the Helen Keller Award by Chetana School, Kolhapur.
4.
Human Rights Council General Assembly Speech (2012):
•Invited to give a speech at a high level in the Human Rights Council General Assembly at the UN in Geneva in 2012.
5.
Best Worker and Vocational Worker Awards (2013-2014):
•Received the Award for the best worker from NASEH, Mumbai, in 2013, and the best vocational worker award from Rotary Club of Pune Central in 2014.
6.
Establishment of SEDB (2015):
•Founded the Society For the Empowerment Of The Deaf-Blind (SEDB) in 2015.
7.
International Representation (2019-2022):
•Represented SEDB at the UN CRPD, Geneva, in 2019 and was elected as the Asian Representative of the World Federation of the Deafblind (WFDB) in 2022.
Recent Achievements:
1.
2nd NCDB Conference (2023):
•Hosted the 2nd NCDB conference in 2023 in Bangalore, supported by Enable India and Chetana Trust, and funded by Allgeis.
2.
University Accessibility Advocacy (2023):
•Advocated for and convinced WOL Delhi University to provide tactile signing interpreters to help deafblind students during exams in a BA program.
Ongoing Commitment:
SEDB continues to be a pioneer in the field, with Mr. Zamir Dhale elected as the Asian Representative of the World Federation of the Deafblind, showcasing ongoing dedication to advocacy, empowerment, and inclusivity. The achievements listed reflect a journey of overcoming challenges, breaking barriers, and contributing significantly to the empowerment of the Deaf and Deafblind community in India.

Dear Madam/Sir,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to introduce myself and share my story and work as a person with deafblindness. I believe that my experiences and journey can be inspiring and educational for the students at your institution.

I am a person with deafblindness, which means that I cannot see, hear, or speak. However, I have overcome these challenges to lead a fulfilling life. I rely on assistive devices such as braille technology to operate computers and phones. I am also an advocate for the Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind (SEDB) in India, a registered Non-Profit Organization (NPO) that aims to empower deafblind individuals by providing better education, training in accessing assistive technology, employment opportunities, and advocacy for our rights against discrimination.

Currently, I am pursuing a BA program at SOL Delhi University and have been advocating for higher education accessibility for students with disabilities. I have also advocated for  a tactile signing interpreter and writer to assist deafblind students during exams. Through my efforts, I have successfully persuaded the Vice Chancellor of Delhi University to provide free admission to me and other deaf students.

My journey began with the challenges of losing my vision at the age of 9. It was a difficult time, but my maternal grandfather’s determination led us to the Helen Keller Institution for the Deaf and Deafblind in Mumbai, founded by Beroz Vacha. This institution played a crucial role in my education and development. Subsequently, I advocated for the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) to provide admission for deafblind students and passed my 12th-grade exams. I also worked on promoting computer training for deafblind individuals and assisted in training actors like Amitabh Bachchan and Rani in braille, American Sign Language (ASL), and mobility skills for their film.

In 2006, I joined Sense International India as an advocacy Offier, and in 2015, I established my own NGO called the Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind (SEDB). Through SEDB, I have encouraged deafblind individuals to join and become leaders and human rights activists in India.

I believe that my story can shed light on the rights and needs of deafblind individuals regarding education and accessibility to communication, as well as their abilities to work independently in India.

I kindly request that you consider inviting me to visit your institution and meet with the students. I would be honored to share my successful story and motivational insights in a lecture or session. I am confident that both teachers and students will benefit from learning about my journey and experiences.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my request and for your potential support. I look forward to your positive response. Please feel free to respond to this email to discuss further details.

Yours sincerely,

Founder Director and Consultant

SEDB India

www.sedbindia.org

Email: zamir@3.111.144.114

Asian Representative- World Federation of the Deafboind(WFDB)

Mob: 9998751125(whatsapp message only)

Dear Friends and Collegues,
I hope this message finds you well. I am excited to share some wonderful news with you. The Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind (SEDB) and its dedicated team of deafblind individuals are preparing to celebrate our 8th anniversary. SEDB is a remarkable organization and a pioneering force in India, being the first Disabled People’s Organization run entirely by deafblind volunteers. Our mission is to empower deafblind individuals with better education, training, access to assistive technology, and employment opportunities.
In honor of this momentous occasion, we are planning to organize an anniversary event in Mumbai. We will secure a suitable venue and provide refreshments for our guests. We would be deeply honored to have you, our esteemed donors, supporters, well-wishers, and friends, join us in celebrating eight years of SEDB’s remarkable journey. Your presence and encouragement mean the world to us, as we rely on your support to continue our vital work.
We understand that this invitation comes on rather short notice due to the urgency of the event planning. We are in the process of finalizing the venue and will inform you of the precise location very soon. However, to ensure the success of this event, we kindly request your assistance by contributing a donation. We understand that not everyone can provide substantial funds, but any amount, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated and will make a significant difference.
You can make your contributions by transferring funds to SEDB’s bank account using the following details:
Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind
Account number 35733949762
State Bank of India
Branch : Fort Market (Mumbai)
239, Roopam Hotel Building.
IFSC Code : SBIN0005347
MICR : 400002025
UPI ID is societyforempower@sbi

We are deeply grateful for your consideration and support. We anticipate confirming the venue for the celebration by the 17th of October 2023. Your presence and support would make this occasion truly special and memorable.
Thank you for being a part of the SEDB family and for your unwavering support. We look forward to celebrating with you.
Warm regards,
Zamir Dhale
Founder Director and Consultant
SEDB India
www.sedbindia.org

Dear Sisters and Brothers,
I hope this message finds you well at SEDB India. I wanted to share some thoughts with you on an important matter that affects women in our society, particularly those with disabilities. It is crucial that we encourage and advise women, both with and without disabilities, to advocate for their rights and stand up for themselves.
In many cases, women may find themselves in situations where they are not fully aware of the truth or falsehoods surrounding their marriage. Whether a woman has a disability or not, the unity and understanding between a husband and wife are essential for a fulfilling life together. Husbands, especially, need to be thoughtful and responsible, ensuring they are prepared to take on the responsibilities of family life – from their children’s education to providing a stable home.
Disability, such as being deaf or deafblind, should never be a reason for a husband to leave his wife. It is cr