Tag CBM India

Bengaluru, July 22, 2024 – CBM India, a leading organization dedicated to disability-inclusive development, has organized the distribution of essential equipment to strengthen community eye health services in Nandhagudi, in the Bengaluru Rural District.

Forty community health workers, including ASHA workers, auxiliary nurse midwives, and community health officers, received a kit equipped with a backpack, vision charts, a measuring tape, a water bottle, a notepad, and a pen, allowing them to conduct essential eye screenings directly within the community. To ensure effective utilization of the kits, CBM India organized a training session for community healthcare workers on conducting doorstep eye screenings using the provided equipment. This training enabled them to identify potential vision problems and ensure that those who need further care will be directed to the right specialists.

Additionally, as part of the event, CBM India distributed assistive devices to address the needs of persons with disabilities. Seven wheelchairs, three assistive canes, and one commode chair were provided to persons with disabilities in the community.

Talking at the event, Mr. Sony Thomas, Executive Director, CBM India Trust, commented, “Early detection and intervention are crucial for preventing vision loss. At CBM India, we are committed to ensuring that no one in our community is left behind when it comes to timely access to quality eye care. By equipping community health workers with the necessary tools and training, and providing assistive devices to persons with disabilities, we are taking a significant step towards enhancing eye health and improving the overall well-being of the people of Nandhagudi and the neighboring villages.”

By empowering both healthcare workers at the grassroots and persons with disabilities, CBM India is fostering a more inclusive and accessible healthcare ecosystem.

This initiative, implemented by CBM India as part of a Corporate Social Responsibility program, recognizes the challenges that rural communities face in accessing affordable quality eye care services. Over the past year, it reached over 10,000 people through eye screening, around 300 cataract surgeries were facilitated, and more than 700 spectacles were distributed.

The program aligns with and in support of the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCB-VI).

New Delhi, 10th July 2024: Addressing issues and challenges to strengthen the ecosystem for Person with Disabilities at the ASSOCHAM’s 6th Conference on Empowering Persons with Disabilities through Accessible & Assistive Technology, Chief Guest Mr. Rajesh Aggarwal IAS, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice, and Empowerment, GoI stressed on calling it diversity rather than disability with the nature of humanity. He talked about 3 prevalent issues that are accessible infrastructure, employment opportunities and education to people with disabilities.

He motivated the audience to not help PWD with charity purposes but include them with designated job profiles and not quota. For enhancing education, he gave examples of use of devices such as braille displays, speech-to-text software, and adapted learning tools to facilitate learning. Providing necessary workplace accommodations such as ergonomic chairs, specialized keyboards, and software solutions to support productivity, he added.

Focused on the theme ‘Innovation and Sustainable Solutions for Equal Opportunities,’ he shared this event aims to empower Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and foster a more inclusive ecosystem. This conference aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat, aspiring to position India as a Global AT Hub. Driven by competitive manufacturing costs, supporting government policies like Make in India , India can position itself as a key player in the global market.

Mr Anil Rajput, Chairperson of the ASSOCHAM National CSR Council said “According to the WHO, 16% of the world’s population, which is over a billion people have some form of disability, and 80% of these live in the developing countries, with mobility being a critical factor in the lives of PwDs- in this context, l appeal to the automobile manufacturers in India to bring in the latest technologies in vehicles for disabled people that are being used in different parts of the world- this could have a transformational impact in the lives of persons with disabilities in India. I also urge the media to not only focus on the challenges faced by the PwDs, but also showcase their success stories, this will inspire many more to excel, as well as bring forth their unique abilities before the larger audience”.

Mr. Amit Singh, Partner, EY stressed on collaboration among government and private sector to create sustainable solutions for civil society and reducing barriers to participation. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the field of emerging technologies by augmenting assistive devices’ capabilities, personalizing experiences, and boosting accessibility. The country has a significant portion of its population that have disabilities that require immediate attention and solutions.

Dr. Sara Varughese, Managing Trustee, CBM India shared that disability in India is a pressing issue that calls for concerted effort to build socially inclusive and universally accessible infrastructure. Social stigma and discrimination are the issues that are still faced in India leading to economic vulnerability.

Mr. Dipendra Manocha, President, DAISY Forum of India highlighted the government policies that can encourage the mass production of assistive devices through subsidies, tax incentives and grants for research and development. Such interventions can reduce production costs, increase supply and foster innovation ensuring the availability to a larger population at lower prices.

The event was concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Ravi Bhatnagar, Co-Chairperson of the ASSOCHAM National CSR & Empowerment Councils and Director of External Affairs & Partnerships, South Asia, Reckitt. He stated that resources should be made more accessible to people in rural India as well, and he discussed how corporations can support an inclusive structure for the disabled workforce.

The dedication of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to changing the perception of disability, transforming obstacles into opportunities, and enabling each person to realize their potential is essential to the development of a country. We highlight five outstanding non-governmental organizations (NGOs), with CBM India in the lead, that have turned into rays of hope, bringing about profound changes in the lives of the nation’s crippled citizens. All of these organizations share the same goal of dismantling obstacles, redefining social norms, and opening doors for a more equal and inclusive future in which everyone, regardless of ability, is valued for their contributions to society.

1. Enable India works to empower individuals with disabilities by encouraging inclusive work and education. Enable India is transforming the job market for people with disabilities by working to build a more inclusive and accessible society by collaborating with creative organizations and implementing novel initiatives that empower people with a range of abilities to pursue opportunities and independence.
2. CBM India Trust is a leading Indian not-for-profit development organization committed to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities and other marginalized communities. It has been working alongside persons with disabilities to remove cultural and environmental barriers to their full participation in health, education, and livelihood in over 25 states. It promotes inclusive development models that break the vicious cycle of poverty and disability.
3. The Ability People is dedicated to encouraging disadvantaged people to start their businesses. By assisting people in starting their enterprises and advancing the nation’s economy by offering resources, guidance, and support, The Ability people believe in a future where everyone’s unique capabilities are acknowledged and are committed to creating inclusivity and breaking down barriers for people with various abilities.
4. Samarthyam, an NGO that specializes in building infrastructure that is accessible to all. Samarthyam is actively promoting universal design, guaranteeing that those with disabilities can travel the world with dignity and freedom, from accessible public areas to transportation. They are a catalyst for change that promotes inclusion and accessibility for individuals with disabilities and work nonstop to create a society in which everyone has equal access to opportunities.
5. The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is dismantling barriers to communication and guaranteeing that the deaf community has equitable access to opportunities and services via advocacy, education, and community empowerment. Committed to safeguarding the rights and welfare of the hard-of-hearing, NAD fosters inclusivity, equal opportunity, and a world in which all individuals can flourish regardless of their level of hearing ability.

These NGOs have stitched a story of inclusivity, empowerment, and resilience into the fabric of change that transcends boundaries and changes people’s lives. Their steadfast dedication to changing the course of the nation’s crippled population is evidence of the strength of empathy, activism, and creativity. When we consider the significant paths taken by these groups, it is clear that the combined influence of their efforts has not only destroyed prejudices but also cleared the path for a society in which diversity is valued and everyone has the chance to succeed.