Happy Raksha Bandhan 2023

Dear Respected Brothers and Sisters,
Namaste! On this joyous occasion of Raksha Bandhan, I extend my warmest greetings to all, irrespective of abilities and backgrounds. As we celebrate this special day, let us remember the significance of unity and protection symbolized by this beautiful festival.
Raksha Bandhan narrates a tale of a courageous queen and her valiant brother. When her husband fell in battle, she sought the aid of her friend, the king. He fearlessly fought off the enemy and secured her safety. In gratitude, the queen performed a pooja and tied a Rakhi on her brother’s wrist, signifying her trust in his protection.
Likewise, we face our own battles against various forms of discrimination. We stand united as brothers and sisters, with equal rights and shared aspirations. Our mission is to empower both men and women through quality education, including higher education, and to advocate for improved livelihoods through increased employment opportunities. With determinat

Sharing an Experience and Encouraging Positive Behavior in my previous video.

Hello every deaf and deafblind member’
I hope you are doing well. I wanted to share an experience from my time as a teacher at the school where I both studied and worked. This experience highlighted the importance of addressing sensitive topics with students, especially those facing unique challenges.
During my tenure, I encountered a situation involving a deafblind student whose vision was gradually deteriorating. It was evident that he faced communication barriers due to his condition. One day, he approached me with a question about a pornographic book he had encountered. This presented a delicate situation that required a thoughtful response.
I promptly examined the content he referred to and inquired about his curiosity. His explanation helped me understand his perspective. I seized the opportunity to guide him away from such inappropriate content, emphasizing the importance of focusing on positive and educational aspects of life.
Despite my guidance, the student continued to show interest in such material. Recognizing the potential negative impact on his learning and development, I took the matter to the school principal and counselors. Together, we devised a protective policy known as the Protect Child Policy (PCP), which we affectionately referred to as “Phaedia.” This policy aimed to shield children from harmful influences and distractions, ensuring they could concentrate on their studies and personal growth.
It’s evident that exposure to inappropriate content can hinder a student’s ability to learn and retain knowledge. Our goal with Phaedia was to encourage a healthier mindset, allowing students to fully engage with their education and build a strong foundation for their future. We aimed to prevent the accumulation of distracting and negative thoughts, which could hamper their academic progress and overall well-being.
In my interactions with both deaf and deafblind members of the SEDB, I have consistently stressed the significance of education as the primary stepping stone toward a brighter future. By focusing on studies and obtaining higher education, individuals can empower themselves to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. I have encouraged them to channel their energy into positive activities, prioritize their studies, and adopt healthy practices like yoga and exercise while refraining from harmful behaviors like consuming alcohol.
Ultimately, my intention has always been to motivate all students to excel academically, manage their time effectively, and make wise life choices. By doing so, they can pave the way for personal growth, success, and a life filled with respect and dignity.
Thank you for taking the time to read about this experience and the principles I’ve come to advocate. I believe that fostering a nurturing and focused environment for learning can truly make a positive impact on the lives of students.

TO WHOMSOEVER IT MAY CONCERN

SUBJECT: APPEAL FOR A PLACE TO CONDUCT TRAINING AND OTHER PROGRAMS FOR DEAF-BLIND AND DEAF-LOW VISION PEOPLE

Dear Madam / Sir,

The Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind (SEDB), is the first non-profit organization in India established in 2015 by a team of Deafblind leaders dedicated to the empowerment of the Deafblind individuals.

SEDB aims to protect the rights of the deafblind against all forms of discrimination, and empower them through proper education and training, so they can access employment opportunities on an equal basis with others.

Some of our focus areas are:

  • Vocational skills and livelihoods training
  • Language skills training, including tactile sign language
  • Computer literacy
  • Training on using assistive technologies
  • Mobility training
  • Training for tactile sign language interpreters

Though there is no certain data, there is an estimate of half-a-million people with deaf-blindness or deaf-low vision in India. They are mostly excluded from all areas of life with no proper education and livelihood opportunities and hence they are unable to lead an independent life.

They face discrimination on a daily basis. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation with their rights violated. In order to protect the rights and ensure there is no discrimination, SEDB intends to impart basic literacy and livelihood skills, including training to use assistive technologies. For this, SEDB needs infrastructure and office space to conduct these activities in Mumbai.

We appeal to you to provide us with an office-cum-training space for a minimum of five years, free of cost, or with minimum rent if possible. We may agree to access to work in your place premises. We need at least 750-1500 sq.ft. of space, with training hall, office, toilet and mini-kitchen facilities, for the smooth running of our training projects.

We would like to reiterate that this Society is run exclusively by Deafblind people, and hence, any assistance in the form of infrastructure or donation, would greatly help our cause.

Should you wish to discuss with me for further details, please do not hesitate to contact me on WhatsApp or e-mail.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Zamir Dhale

Founder Director and Consultant’

SEDB India

www.sedbindia.org

Email: zamir@3.111.144.114

Mob: 919998751125