Deaf-blind children given kits

To mark Helen Keller's birthday today, an NGO, Sense International (India) distributed educational kits to deaf-blind children across the state at its rural partner centres including Kutch Vikas Trust, Bhuj and Aashirvaad Trust at Sayla.

June 27 is celebrated as Helen Keller Day. Helen Keller turned deaf and blind when she was 18 months old. She went on to graduate from Radcliffe University and dedicated her life fighting for the rights of people.

She went on to become one of the 20 most influential women of the 20th Century and continues to be an inspiration for many.

There are an estimated 4.25 lakh deaf-blind people in the country. Most of them can reach their potential towards self-sustainability and dignified living with a little support and right education. Sense International claims to have reached close to 8,500 such deaf-blind children and their families through 37 partners across 19 states.

In Gujarat itself, there are over 200 deaf-blind children who are being catered to through direct services in the form of home based, community based and centre based education and training.

"The challenges faced by the deaf-blind children are unique and not the same as other disabled children. Hence, it is critical for it to be recognised by us as a society and policy makers. They are ready and capable of flying and reaching their own milestones. The society needs to support this flight towards self-dependence in its initial course," Akhil Paul, Director, Sense International (India) said.

"Our philosophy has been to support the education and upliftment of the lesser privileged members of the society," said Naresh Nagpal, Vice President and Branch Manager, HSBC, a donor organisation of Sense International (India).