Projects : General

General

The Indian Sign Language (ISL) version of General.

General working of NAD. NAD works in the area of advocacy. Advocating for the demands of the deaf which include accessibility- captioning, interpreters in hospitals, courts, airports, railways stations and various other public places in the country.

In deaf schools teachers teach only orally and don’t use sign language. Most of deaf children do not understand what teachers speak. Use the Sign Language. There is a need of interpreters in colleges so that deaf people become equal to hearing people.

Employment- some people think that hearing people reach greater heights and for deaf it is impossible. It is not like that. Deaf people can get jobs equal to hearing people.

Accessibility involves different things like captioning, for eg. You want to enjoy a movie but there is no captioning. We can advocate for that in future.

Rights of Persons of Disabilities Bill 2014 is still pending. We are hopeful for its approval.

If you remember ISLRTC, we got this center by Modi Govt. on 22nd September 2015. The center is now at ITO and the work is progressing.

Driving license- high court issued the order for driving license in 2011 but still not in action. There is no clarity. We are hoping progress.

Human Rights- it is the right if the deaf people to be equal to hearing people. Deaf people are not less than hearing. They can be equal. They can do whatever hearing people can do.

Conference- there has been NDC conferences by NAD, Women’s programs, youth conferences and various other programs. NAD has had meeting with ministeries, MPs etc.

Deaf Youth Programs conduct. Deaf Women Empowerment Programs conduct in many parts of India organised by NAD.

We have organised the Press Conferences. Press People have interviewed with us about the problems of deaf.

We commemorate the International Week of the Deaf Celebration every year of September for awareness programs.

We usually celebrate the World Disabled Day on 3rd December every year.

History of Activites

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NCPEDP MPhasis Universal Design & NCPEDP MPhasis Javed Abidi Public Policy Awards on 14 August 2018

Dear Members/Non-Members,

We are very glad to inform you that NCPEDP organise the *9th NCPEDP MPhasis Universe Design Awards & 1st NCPEDP MPhasis Javed Abidi Public Policy Awards* at *International India Centre, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi on Tuesday, 14 August 2018 from 10am to 1pm* and provide you veg lunch*.

There will be only 100 seats for Delhi & NCR Members/Non-Members. Pls share it to your friends.

With regards from NAD India

Location: Tapovan, Chanmaya Mission, Lodi Road, New Delhi    Activities: Events
A Tribute to Shri Javed Abidi in Delhi

Remembering Javed Abidi (11.6.1965 - 4.3.2018)

Tapovan, Chanmaya Mission, Lodi Road, New Delhi on 18th March 2018

One of the world's fiercest, most passionate advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 4th, 2018.

We all paid the tribute to Late Shri Javed Abidi today afternoon on 18th March 2018 at Chinmaya Mission, Lodi Road, New Delhi.

Javed Abidi was the Honorary Director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment Disabled People; and Global Chair of Disabled People's International. As we struggle to come to terms with the huge loss and void created by his sudden demise, let's also celebrate his life and remember him for the invaluable and unparalleled contribution that touched made to millions and millions of people with disabilities around the country and outside.

The event was started by keeping silence in memory of Javed Abidi and Mr. Som Mittal, Chairman, NCPEDP was the first speaker. Then Mr. Jagdish talked about his friendship and the starting days of formation of Disability Rights Group (DRG). Mr. Javed Abidi’s sister,  Ms. Sheeba Abidi shared her personal experiences and read a letter from Mrs. Sonia Gandhi in tribute to Mr. Abidi. Mr. Shameer, Javed Abidi’s nephew, read a poem written by Mr. Javed Abidi.

Mr. AS Narayanan, President (NAD) and Mr. Zorin Singha, Secretary (NAD) talked about Javed Abidi’s guidance and how he was such a great support to the deaf community, and teaching and leading in the space of advocacy.

There were several video messages played sent by the people who couldn’t’ be present at the event, among those was one from Mr. Thawar Chand Gehlot, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and tribute video by BRUT India on Mr. Javed Abidi life journey.

There was a pledge by the youth - Mr. Pradeep, Ms. Suvarna, Mr. Ankit, Mr. Armaan, Ms. Rupmani - to take forward the work of Mr. Abidi.

At the end of the formal event, it was open house for people to come up and share their tributes.

Above all, let us pledge to carry on his legacy. And that would perhaps be the best tribute we can pay to such an exceptional soul.

Photo Gallery

Location: the India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi.    Activities: Events
Mr. Shinan P.S from Thrissur, Kerala (Deaf Bike Rider)

Good News today! NAD members – Mr. A. S. Narayanan, President, NAD; Mr. Anuj Jain, Joint Secretary and Mr. Vishal Arora, Treasurer met Mr. Shinan PS, who is a deaf bike rider from Thrissur, Kerala, on 14th August 2017 at the India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi.

Mr. Narayanan asked him a few questions while there were other people gathered there watching the interview unfold.

First question put up to him was, “Does he have a driving license and what’s his goal for the journey?” He did indeed have a driving license but it wasn’t easy to get it as the licensing authority rejected him because he was deaf the first time he went to get the license. He added that, “Hearing people have so many opportunities and I would look at that and think how I can also do the same. Then the thought struck me that yes a deaf person like me can also ride the bike, travel this far and break every barrier. Both the deaf and hearing communities should be equal on the same level.”

Mr. Shinan PS told him that he started his journey with a hearing bikers group from Kerala and his first stop was Goa. From Goa he rode alone by himself to Pune then Mumbai. In Mumbai, NIHH felicitated him. They were impressed to see a deaf biker. A few people in Mumbai supported me and made me part of their club. In Nasik, their deaf association supported me and provided place to stay. Then I went to Vadodara in Gujrat. I interacted with the people and got their support too. In Ahmedabad, I met a lot of deaf people and it was fun. I got donation from a few individuals there. Later went to Udaipur in Rajasthan. I met the deaf people and they were surprised and impressed at the same time to meet me. I also received govt. recognized certificate. In Jaipur, we got pictures clicked and my name was in the print news. From there I went to Agra and finally arrived here in Delhi.”

Mr. Narayanan then told the audience, “Wonderful, thank you. You all must not think that this much travelling on bike is easy. It is quite hard. Food, fuel and other expenses are there. If I was in his place managing all that won’t be possible for me. So, it is very commendable and brave of him. I request you all let’s come together and support him, sharing a one time donation.”

Mrs. Reena Jain, NAD’s North India Deaf Women Committee, asked a question on how he manages all the expenses, to which Mr. Shinan answered,” I welcome any kind of donations and also happily accept invitations to stay the night to sleep. At one place I was hanging out with the deaf group and they said we will pay for your food.”

Mr. Shinan had a glass cutting business which he managed himself but left it 2 months ago when he embarked on this journey. People would stop him and get pictures clicked with him and meeting deaf people from different states also extended his time.

NAD Treasurer, Mr. Vishal Arora asked the people there that who would like to join him and ride like him to which there were a few hands raised interested for the same!

Mr. Anuj Jain, Joint Secretary, NAD told that, “So as you go ahead in your journey and finish it safely without accident, we will make a proof report and present it to the Ministry of Road and Transport of India and show them that a deaf person can drive and ride and hopefully the government passes law to give driving license to the deaf.”

Next he travels to Kashmir then Nepal to Bhutan to Assam to Kolkata to Orissa to Hyderabad to and finally back to his hometown Thrissur, Kerala. He feels safe and confident going ahead and in case of any trouble he has hearing friends and Whatsapp group of bike riders. He’s careful and follows a strict time rule too. Morning 6am to evening 6pm only.

When asked about has the police ever stopped him, he said that yes just once in Mumbai but he showed the blue sign which says the driver is deaf and police let him go, no other happening like that.

Mr. Narayanan concluded, “That’s sweet and beautiful he has that sign board on the bike, travelling all over India.” And everyone went for a group photo session.

Photo Gallery

Location: Indian Social Institute, Lodi Road, New Delhi    Activities:
Announcement of General Body Meeting on 26th February 2017, 10am to 1pm

Agenda

1. NAD Activities Report 2015-16
2. NAD Financial Year Report 2015-16
3. Welcome of NAD New Executive Board Members
4. News on RPWD Act 2016, ISLRTC and others

Date: 26th February, 2017

Time: 10am to 1pm.

Venue:
Indian Social Institute,
10 Institutional Area, Lodi Road,
Near Shidi Sai Baba Mandir, New Delhi

Location: New Delhi    Activities:
Budget 2017: President Mr.Mukherjee's care for Divyangs

In his speech to both Houses of the Parliament, President Pranab Mukherjee spoke about improving the lives of divyangs(disabled). "A common sign language being developed inter-country...

Over 6 lakh divyang jan have so far benefitted from 4700 special assistance camps organised since May 2014. The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan is improving accessibility for the divyang jan at public places while a health insurance cover for divyangs" has also been put in place.

Kindly refer to the website link: http://www.ibtimes.co.in/budget-2017-15-things-president-pranab-mukherjee-said-his-address-both-houses-parliament-714231

Location: New Delhi    Activities: Meeting
Election of NAD, 2017

NAD is open for Election for the period April 2017 to March 2021. 

Mr. Shilabhadra Pahi is appointed as the Returning Officer and his e-mail is shilupahi@gmail.com

Kindly refer to the letters below for more information and schedule of the Election.

Congratulations to the new Office Bearers of NAD for the Year 2017 to 2021

President

A. S. Narayanan
A. S. Narayanan

Vice President (2 Nos.)

Aqil Chinoy
Aqil Chinoy
TKM Sandeep
TKM Sandeep

General Secretary

Zorin Daud Singha
Zorin Daud Singha

Women Secretary

Geeta Sharma
Geeta Sharma

Treasurer

Vishal Arora
Vishal Arora

Joint Secretary (2 Nos.)

Anuj Jain
Anuj Jain
Saju Stephen
Saju Stephen

Executive Members - Females (2 Nos)

Rupmani Chhetri
Rupmani Chhetri
Priti Shah Soni
Priti Shah Soni

Executive Members - Males (5 Nos)

Nagendra Tiwari
Nagendra Tiwari
Dilip Kumar Jangir
Dilip Kumar Jangir
Sarvesh Jain
Sarvesh Jain
Islam UL Haque
Islam UL Haque
Vacant
Vacant

The General Body Meeting will be held on 26th February 2017.

Documents

Download Sr. Topic Description File Type / Size
1 Notice of Election Letter to all Members about Election and the Positions JPG / (0.16 MB)
2 Election of Executive Council List of Posts and the Schedule of the Election PDF / (0.21 MB)
3 Nomination Form for Election of 2017-2021 Nomination Form for Election of 2017-2021 to be filled by potential candidates DOCX / (0.02 MB)
4 List of Eligible Candidates for Election / Posts After scrutinizing the Nomination forms, the list of candidates were finalized. PDF / (1.11 MB)
5 The Final List of Candidates The finalised list of Candidates after the withdrawal requests by the Candidates themselves. PDF / (0.66 MB)

Location: Indian Social Institute, Lodi, New Delhi.    Activities:
NAD's General Body Meeting 2016

NAD's General Body Meeting will be held at Indian Social Institute, 10 Institutional Area, Lodi Road, Near Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir, New Delhi on 4th December, 2016 from 1pm to 5pm. Only NAD Members will participate in the General Body with proof of their NAD's ID Cards.

Documents

Download Sr. Topic Description File Type / Size
1 Notice Letter for Annual General Body Meeting Downloadable PDF Version PDF / (0.15 MB)

Photo Gallery

Location: Indian Social Institute, Lodi Road, New Delhi    Activities: Announcements
DeafFilm Fest PK-D

We, NAD, organised the 59th International Week of the Deaf 2016, "With Sign Language, I'm Equal." DEAFILM FEST "PK-D" Movie for the deaf on 25th September 2016. There were around 375 deaf people (two seperate groupsad we have two shows including first show 1pm and second show 3pm ) attending the movie.

NAD have partnership with Deaf Enabled Foundation for this event.

DEF Actors and Actress acted very well for showing the movie it was excellent.

Location: India Gate, New Delhi     Activities: Dharna Events
World Disabled Day 2015

National Association of the Deaf (NAD) & National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) shared organizing the World Disability Day 2015 successfully, we had a symbolic WALK to Freedom at the lawns of Boat Club next to Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate, Delhi on 3rd December, 2015. 

A symbolic Walk to Freedom with over 7500 deaf people and disabled people from all over India was held on 3rd December 2015 at India Gate, New Delhi to commemorate both the occasion of World Disability Day and 20 years of the passage of the Act. The participants included people with disabilities, their friends, families, and supporters. The walk also saw Parliamentarians and other dignitaries come out to show their support towards disability. 

All events and initiatives under the Campaign aimed to not just ensure that the disability movement in India achieves the maximum exposure possible (and that too at an opportune time, with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014 currently pending in the Parliament), they also attempted to spread awareness about the agendas and imperatives to the farthest reaches of the country. 

Mr. A. S. Narayanan, Secretary of NAD, Mr. Zorin Singha, President of NAD, Mr. Dhananjay Bansal, General Secretary of Silent Sports Promotion Society, Smt. Uma Kapoor, General Secretary of All India Foundation of Deaf Women, Mr. Somesh Sharma, Advisor of All India Sports Council of the Deaf, Lalit Kumar, Executive Member of Delhi Associaiton of the Deaf, Dr. Madan Vasishta, PhD., Former Professor of Gallaudet University, Mr. Sibaji Panda, Vice President of All India Federation of the Deaf & Mr. Vivek Mehta, Chief Technology Officer shared speaking related to an Official Language as recognition of Indian Sign Language in the Constitute, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the celebration of 20 years for the Persons with Disablitied Act 1995. 

Mr. Zorin Singha, President of NAD, Mr. A.S. Narayanan, Secretary of NAD, Mr. Javed Abidi, Honorary Director of NCPEDP, the officials of America India Foundation, the officials of Hans Foundation and Shri Mahesh Giri, Hon’ble Member of Parliament shared the showcases on the stage behind India Gate. They flagged off 500 balloons to the High Sky Up. Mr. Anuj Jain, Joint Secretary of NAD taught the Basic Sign Language Class to the large audience. The Deaf Members of National Association of the Deaf performed the drama related to “United we stand, divided we fall”.

Photo Gallery

NAD Team met Smt. Kavita Jain, Hon’ble Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of Haryana

Shri Yogesh Kumar, Public Relation Officer of NAD with Interpreter Babli met Smt. Kavita Jain, Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of Haryana on 9th September, 2015. They spoke to Smt. Kavita Jain that they needed her help for demanding the ISLRTC as an autonomous body. She said she will speak to the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi for demanding the ISLRTC as an autonomous body after the Cabinet Secretariat approval immediately.

Location: India    Activities:
The Week Health Magazine

The Week Health Magazine

India on 30th August 2015

Link:- http://www.theweek.in/health/cover/indias-sign-language-is-crying-for-recognition.html

COVER STORY

Listen...

By Mandira Nayar | August 30, 2015

Millions of hearing-impaired Indians fail to communicate for want of a fully-evolved vocabulary of their own. India's sign language is crying for recognition

  • "The idea of signing to communicate in public was forbidden. If I ever tried to talk to them [parents] outside, they used to hold my hands. I was taught that signing was somehow shameful"- Anuj Jain, who is part of the National Association of the Deaf

A.S. Narayanan has never had a conversation with his family. He spent the first 15 years of his life in silence. Narayanan is like over a million Indians who are defined by their inability to hear. But if you are hearing impaired in India—it is worse than children of a lesser god that all differently-abled are lumped in with—the discrimination is a little more fundamental: it is the denial of a language.

Standing in front of the flea market lane of Janpath at Connaught Place in Delhi, Narayanan, much older now, laughs. “I grew up alone,’’ he says. “At most, they would ask me if I had eaten. Or, if I was okay? I brought myself up.’’ Surabhi, a student of Jamia Millia Islamia, is his translator. Signing came naturally to her. “It was the first language I learnt,’’ she says. “My parents are deaf. I learnt English later.”

It was years later that the idea of conversation, even communication that wasn’t just functional, came into being for Narayanan. He is now the office-bearer of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) in India and is off to Chandigarh for the weekend to hold a workshop on training with young students. It has become easier to communicate with cellphones and computers, but the language is still borrowed.

So far, the Indian sign language is still at a nascent stage. “There are millions of words in a language. In India, we only have a few thousands,” says Narayanan. “The language has not even evolved.” The Indian sign language comprises rudimentary signs, mostly instinctive, but it is far from the codified recognised language like the American sign language.

For the past few months, the NAD has been advocating for an autonomous Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre. The idea is to explore, expand and foster the Indian sign language. This centre was allotted in the 11th Five-Year Plan but is yet to see the light of day. The project was moved to the Indira Gandhi National Open University. Eighteen months ago the government chose to move the centre from IGNOU to the Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of the Hearing Handicapped. This, as one activist from NAD put it, is like “asking a wolf to raise a lamb’’. The institute believes in an oral approach to deaf education, virtually denying the deaf a chance to build a language that is rooted in their own culture.

The idea that the deaf need a separate language is alien in India. Instead, children are discouraged from signing. Anuj Jain, who is also part of NAD, grew up with his four sisters who were all deaf. His fifth sibling, a sister, is not. “She used to feel left out,’’ he says, laughing. “We would have these conversations and she couldn’t keep up.’’

A bond Beyond words: Anuj Jain with his daughter Ananta | Arvind Jain

Children who are born deaf are still ‘taught’ how to speak. They are given hearing aids to amplify the sound. Geeta Sharma remembers being forced to speak as a child. She spent years being shuttled from school to school. “The approach was oral,’’ she says. “They tried to get me to talk.” Forcing children to talk and hear isn’t unusual. Sharma is in her 40s. But even now, this is standard practice.

The Lady Noyce School is one of the biggest institutions for the hearing impaired in Delhi. There are 600 students who flock into the cramped classrooms to learn. At the centre of the school is a courtyard. This, open-to-the-sky bit of paved brick, is probably the biggest space the children have. Once there was a cricket field, now the social welfare department occupies most of the area. Kids here spend years learning how to read and write. Knowing the sign language is not compulsory for the teachers. It is something that they pick up. The hearing impaired kids, of course, have to learn how to speak.

It is not unusual. Teachers in deaf schools are not trained in the sign language. Nor is it considered essential. There is a brief orientation of a day or so on sign language. For the most part, the idea is to integrate the kids and teach them, but in a language—English or Hindi—that is not their own. Nor are hearing impaired teachers hired to teach. The idea that sign language can exist even in the hearing world does not exist.

The emphasis, for four years, is on preparing the kids to learn how to speak or communicate in the same way as is done in the hearing world. “They want to fit cochlear implants so that we could hear,” says Narayanan. “We are deaf. This is not communication.’’ It is like forcing a left-handed person to write with his right hand. A bit medieval and cruel.

For women, being hearing impaired means literally being invisible. “Girls are often never allowed to leave home,’’ says Sharma. “They have no opportunities and no one to communicate with. Imagine a life where there is no entertainment, no conversation, nothing.”

Hands-on Approach: A class in progress at Lady Noyce school, Delhi | Arvind Jain

Technology has brought in a revolution. The cell-phone and the internet has made the world a smaller place and for the deaf it has brought with it the gift of communication. Text, Facetime, Skype chats, Hike, video chats have made it possible for the sound barrier to be breached. Meeting people who don't know sign language, asking for directions, even talking with each other has become possible. “I remember when I used to get a phone call from a friend,’’ says Anuj. “My sister would pick up the phone and seem to speak for ages. When I would ask what the other person said, she would always give me just the gist. I would think why she would talk for so long when the answer was monosyllabic,’’ he laughs.

Over the years, Ananta, his daughter has become the voice he never had. Jain remembers the time when his parents spent a year trying to clap loudly to get his daughter’s attention. “They were convinced she was deaf,’’ says Jain. “She would never react when they clapped their hands. But when she turned one, she started talking. Then they knew,’’ he laughs. His son, a toddler, is also learning the language.

Raising a voice: A.S. Narayanan with his translator Surabhi | Arvind Jain

Ananta can speak the sign language fluently. It came easily to her. Even now when Jain's sister visits, she is the outsider, for she hasn’t learnt the sign language yet. “She communicates through me,” says Ananta. "She will call and ask me to pass on a message to my father."

The idea of signing to communicate in public was forbidden, says Ananta, translating for her father: “If I ever tried to talk to them [parents] outside, they used to hold my hands. I was taught that signing was somehow shameful.’’ He apparently retorted in sign that they should then ask the people who can hear to never speak.

Sitting in McDonald’s in Janpath, the father-daughter duo is having an animated conversation. Things have changed. In several countries today, the sign language has gained legal recognition, but in India, it is still not recognised as anything but a few gestures for the hearing impaired to communicate.

It isn’t a language. It needs to be. Language is much more than just communication. It is about being heard; about laughter; about the triviality of life; it is about poetry; it is about anger; fear; joy; disappointment and the shades in between. Even blue has more colour in other languages. Growing up as a hearing impaired person in India, where 18 million people are still waiting to talk, it is more than just about being mute, it is being deprived of expression—forever.

Documents

Download Sr. Topic Description File Type / Size
1 The Week Health Magazine India PDF / (1.21 MB)

Photo Gallery

Location: NAD Office, New Delhi    Activities: Meeting
Mr. Ichiro Miyamoto, Director of WFDRSA Visited NAD’s Office

Mr. Ichiro Miyamoto, Director of World Federation of the Deaf Regional for South Asia visited the NAD's Office, Delhi on 5th March, 2015. We, Mr. Anuj Jain, Project Director of NAD, Ms. Sonia Bhatia, Coordinator of NAD, Mr. Rahul Garg, Assistant Coordinator of NAD & Mr. Raj Kumar Jain, Supervisor of NAD had an informal discussion with him about our work's report files, participant files, NAD policy files, etc and also have talked with him about the Deaf Community in India.

Photo Gallery

Location: Café Coffee Day, New Delhi    Activities: Meeting
World Federation of the Deaf Regional South Asia met NAD & AIFD Teams

Mr. Ichiro Miyamoto, Director of WFDRSA from Japan met Mr. A. S. Narayanan, Secretary of NAD, Mr. Zorin Singha, President of NAD, Mr. Anuj Jain, Joint Secretary of NAD, Mrs. Geeta Sharma, Secretary of NAD, Mr. Onkar Sharma, General Secretary of AIFD, Mr. Suresh Ahuja, Executive Member of AIFD & Mr. E. K. Jose, Executive Member of AIFD at Cafe Coffee Day, Janpath, New Delhi on 4th March, 2015.

We, A. S. Narayanan, Secretary of NAD, Mr. Zorin Singha, President of NAD, Mr. Anuj Jain, Joint Secretary of NAD, Mr. Vishal Arora, Treasurer of NAD had an informal discussion with Mr. Ichiro Miyamoto, Director of WFDRSA from Japan about want to work together with AIFD in the future and have the talks about the Deaf Community in India.

Photo Gallery

Location: India Habitat Centre, New Delhi    Activities: Meeting
Core Committee of the National Disability Network (NDN)

The Core Committee of the National Disability Network (NDN) met recently at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Various issues related to the composition of the Network, induction of new members and chalking out a future plan of action, especially vis-a-vis advocacy for the passage of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, were discussed.

Members of the Core Committee during their discussions. Seen from left to right are Arman Ali, Director, ShishuSarothi; JavedAbidi, Honorary Director, NCPEDP and NDN Convenor; M. Srinivasulu, President, Network of the Persons with Disability Organizations (NPDO) ; Dr. Shanti Auluck, Director, Muskaan and A.S. Narayanan, Secretary, National Association of the Deaf (NAD).

Members of the Core Committee. Seen here are Kanchan Pamnani, Advocate; Sign Language Interpreter and Pradeep Raj, General Secretary, Federation of Disabled Rights amongst other members.

Photo Gallery

Location: USI, New Delhi    Activities: Meeting
Core Commitee of National Disability Network (NDN)

Core Commitee of National Disability Network (NDN) during their discussions. Core Commitee members include: Kanchan Pamnani, M. Srinivasulu, Pradeep Raj, Arman Ali and A.S. Narayanan (represented here by Anuj Jain of NAD) and Dr. Shanti Auluck (not in picture) in New Delhi, India

National Disability Network (N.D.N.)

The idea of forming a national-level disability network came from the need to build a strong cross-disability rights movement in India.

The genesis

To create a movement it was important to link disability groups around the country so that they could all share ideas and participate in the decision-making process. So far, groups in different parts of the country had been doing exemplary work without sharing their experiences.

The network's mission

The aim of the National Disability Network (N.D.N.) is that the cross disability rights movement is spread equitably across the entire country, and that there is an environment of empathy towards the rights and the needs of persons with disability. The goal of the N.D.N. is to have at least one disability organisation/disability group in all 593 districts of our country.

Objectives

  • To promote local advocacy groups and build leadership in the disability sector.
  • To facilitate local advocacy groups to join hands with state-level groups to eventually form a National Network that will act as a pressure group to influence meaningful policies at various levels - village, block, district, state and national regarding persons with disabilities.
  • To empower disabled people and organisations and to sensitise other concerned sectors through systematic information dissemination on disability related issues like legislations, relevant policies, research findings and current developments.
  • To closely monitor and jointly lobby with the governments, corporates and other allied sectors to advocate the adoption and implementation of appropriate policies / legislations.
  • To bring issues related to disability to the forefront of national development through a network that will have representation from all states, union territories and districts of the country.
  • To build a common cross-disability platform for sharing of concerns by disabled people from all the corners of the country and to build a joint strategy for a cohesive disability movement in India.
  1. Role of the State Partners The National Disability Network has carved a niche for itself at both the state and national levels. Many disabled leaders and self help groups have emerged at not just the state level but also at the district levels:- 1. The N.D.N. provides its partners with a clear set of expectations to guide their activities. These are:Expansion of the network: A state partner, in the first year, must forge three partnerships at the district level. These could be with an N.G.O. or a disability group or even a disabled individual, who is interested in taking the disability movement forward in that district. The responsibilities of the state partner would include coordinating with the district partners to carry out the various activities at the state / district level; keeping the state network vibrant through regular communication with its partners; planning the agenda for advocacy in the state and communicating back to N.C.P.E.D.P. and other state partners on the various activities of the State Network.

    In the second year, three more partnerships will have to be forged at the district level. The idea is to map the entire state in a span of five years.

  2. Information dissemination: It is the responsibility of the state/U.T. partner to send disability related information and important updates that they receive from N.C.P.E.D.P. and other sources from time to time, to their district partners and others in their state and to also encourage them to disseminate those materials widely.

  3. Joint advocacy campaigns and activities with partners:Our state/U.T. partners are expected to provide the much needed momentum to the disability movement in their respective states/U.T.s in collaboration with their district partners. Joint activities and campaigns should be taken up to bring to the fore and to the attention of concerned authorities the various issues concerning disabled people.

    There are various instances of collective pressure applied by our network members at the policy level, which have yielded positive results.

  4. Unified World Disability Day celebrations: The World Disability Day (3rd December) offers an excellent opportunity to bring the needs, concerns and rights of people with disabilities to national attention. One of the annual events for the National Disability Network is celebrating World Disability Day in a unified manner. This is done by having a common theme for an All India celebration.

Sustaining the N.D.N. is a very big challenge for all of us. All the Partners should work towards making the Network vibrant. From our side, N.C.P.E.D.P. would like to make a commitment to send an information package to all the state/union territory partners at least once every month. This is apart from the regular mailers that go out to everyone on our mailing list. We would organise national and zonal Meets for the Partners for them to interact with each other and get further trained in advocacy issues/strategies. We would also diligently compile all the reports received from the state/union territory Partners and present them in the form of a 'Yearly Report of the National Disability Network'.

Similarly, we would like our state/union territory partners to also make a few commitments. They should endeavour to work towards fulfilling the goals of the Network and keep other partners and N.C.P.E.D.P. informed about the various achievements and challenges faced in building the state union territory Network. The state/union territory partners should send a report on their state network once a quarter (once in every three months). The state partners should encourage their district partners to share information and report progress on a regular basis with them.

Photo Gallery

Location: New Delhi    Activities: Meeting
All India Federation of The Deaf Team Visited NAD’s Office

Mr. Onkar Sharma, General Secretary of AIFD, Mr. Suraj Prakash, Treasurer of AIFD, Mr. Vijay Chhabra, Public Relation Officer of AIFD & Mr. Suresh Ahuja, Executive Member of AIFD visited the NAD's Office, Delhi on 29th March, 2014. We, A. S. Narayanan, Secretary of NAD, Mr. Zorin Singha, President of NAD, Mr. Anuj Jain, Joint Secretary of NAD, Mr. Vishal Arora, Treasurer of NAD, Ms. Angel Singha, Interpreter of NAD, & Mr. Raj Kumar Jain, Program Officer of NAD had an informal discussion with them about working together for and with the Deaf Community in India.

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Location: Booth No. 129, Sector 46-B, Chandigarh    Activities: Events
State Bank of India inaugurated NAD’s New Branch Office in Chandigarh

Mr. Vishal Arora (Treasurer of NAD), Mr. Dilip Kumar Jangir (Executive Member of NAD), Mr. Jagdip Singh Sodhi (Executive Member of NAD), Mr. Yogesh Kumar (Public Relation Officer of NAD) and Ms. Angel Singha (Interpreter of NAD) organised the inaugural function for opening new branch office of NAD at Booth No. 129, Sector 46-B, Chandigarh on 31stAugust, 2013.

State Bank of India, Chandigarh Circle, proudly associated with the inaugural function of the National Association of the Deaf at its only office in the north of New Delhi in Sector 46-B, Chandigarh. The SBI had assisted the NAD by providing furniture, computer with printers and projector for the new office. The NAD office is engaged in spreading knowledge about Sign Language, Advocacy, Legal Purpose, Workshop and necessity or normal people to understand the same to be able to assist the deaf in exigencies.

While addressing the gathering, Shri Madhukar Anand, Regional Manager, State Bank of India (Region/Punjab), Chandigarh, explained about various CSR initiatives of the bank which have had widespread impact on the residents of the Tri-City and in particular those who are specially abled.

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Location: New Delhi    Activities: Events
Republic Day Tableaux 2013

Department of Disability Affairs Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India

 

THEME OF THE TABLEAUX: INCLUSION, ACCESSIBILITY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND EMPOWERMENT

Rabindranath Tagore has rightly said, “The problem is not how to wipe out the differences but how to unite with the differences intact”.

According to Census 2001, there were 2.19 crore persons with disabilities in India constituting 2.13% of the population. Physical and mental impairments result in disability. Attitudinal and environmental barriers hinder full and effective participation of persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others in society. Disability can be mitigated by changing our perception and by creating a more conducive environment.

The Republic Day tableaux 2013, of the newly set up Department of Disability Affairs, of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, portrays persons with disabilities as  equal citizens of the nation enjoying all fundamental rights and freedoms in an inclusive society.

The tableau showcases inclusion through a live cultural program, led by a DPO (Disabled Persons Organisation), Disabled Power Group. The group is an inclusive group which includes persons with disabilities and non disabled persons, performing to a song carrying a message of solidarity, celebration and dreams.  A sculpture on the side of the tableaux depicts inclusion in creative arts. Inclusion as citizens is represented through a picture of a woman holding different identity cards symbolizing equality between all. The tableaux carries the message that the needs of persons with disabilities are the same as other citizens, which has been represented by portraying the symbols of  various sectors like health, education, sports, recreation, religion, financial services on a revolving Rubik's Cube.

Accessibility is a key to opening doors and pathways. Physical accessibility is showcased on the tableaux, through a ramp allowing wheel chair users to perform freely. A sign language interpreter (Angel Singha) is seen translating the song on the tableau which depicts accessibility incommunication, which will also be screened on the LED screens on the sides of the trailer.Accessible communication is also depicted on the semi-circular sides of the trailer wherein the words from the Constitution of India, “Equality” “Fraternity”, “Justice” and “Liberty” have been written in Braille and Sign Language. At the bottom of the trailer is a runner of disability signs and symbols, which increase accessibility of information in the public information systems.

Empowerment is symbolically represented through all the above depictions and concretized in the sculpture of persons with disabilities and others holding each other and moving forward, with the National Flag in the centre. Mural paintings depicting contributions of people with disabilities cover the sides of the tableau.

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Location: Imphal (Manipur), India    Activities: Workshop
Visited for Deaf Manipur

On 21st March, 2009 NAD, Secretary Mr. A.S. Narayanan, was invited for two days workshop by the Secretary of All Manipur Association of the Deaf and Mute. This was the first time experience to attend a workshop in Imphal. Mr. Narayanan explained all deaf about the unity for the deaf which he felt the people there were interested to learn about it. But the major problem they faced was the different Sign Language as it varies from place to place.

Here the question is that there should be a unifrom Sign Language for all Indian. If there is a standard language it bring hearing impaired people more closer and makes them communicate well without any hurdle in course of their communication.

We hope that NAD which has made a pioneer effort to reach the North East region shall grow further.

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Location: Pokhara (Nepal)    Activities: Conference
20th World Federation of the Deaf, 2008

A.S.Narayanan, Secretary, National Association of the Deaf, India , Sandeep TKM Treasurer of NAD, Anuj Jain , Secretary , The Deaf Way Foundation, Delhi (India), Umesh Grover, General Secretary, Uttarkhand Deaf Welfare Association, (UA). India. We attended for 20th WFD RSA/P Representatives meeting in Pokhara on December 10th to 12th, 2008 organised by National Federation of the Deaf and Hard of hearing (NFDH) for first time. We were happy and interested to learn our lesson from there program.

The 20th World Federation of the Deaf Regional Secretariat in Asia/Pacific Representative Meeting in Pokhara (Nepal). The Meeting had accepted the proposal proposed by NFDH. NFDH is fortunate with the successful WFD RSA/P approval to organize such a high level international meeting for the interest of deaf people in Nepal and the Asia Pacific Region. It will be the great opportunity to share and exchange the experience of 20 Asia Pacific countries, their delegates, observers and representatives. We hope with the presence of WFD, President Mr.Markku Jokinen and WFD RSA/P Mr. Ichiro Miyamoto, the meeting will be more charming.

OBJECTIVES:

The objectives of the meeting are to discuss about the below mentioned Issues:

  • The Implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Person with Disabilities (UNCRPD)
  • The Global Education Pre-Planning Project on the Human Rights of Deaf People.
  • The issue proposed by Oceanian Countries.
  • The establishment of the WFD RSA/P Youth Section
  • The Nippon Sign Language Project
  • The APCD Phase II project

PARTICIPANTS :

The participants will be from 20 Asia Pacific countries of WFD Regional Secretariat. There will be 2 delages from each member country. Along with this there will be participation of Observers, Interpreters and Deaf Youth. On 11th December there will be Meeting of Interpreters in the same hotel separately. From this perspective the conference will be very effective for the interpreters as well. Along with delegates, observers, interpreters and youth WFD, President Mr. Markku jokinen and WFD RSA/P , Director, Mr.Ichiro Miyamoto will attend the meeting. The name of participant countries are as follows :

  1. INDIA
  2. JAPAN
  3. KOREA
  4. MACAU
  5. NEW ZEALAND
  6. SINGAPORE
  7. SRI LANKA
  8. NEPAL

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Location: USI Residency , New Delhi    Activities: Meeting
1st National Committee Meeting, 2008

The Secretary of NAD, Mr. A.S.Narayanan, has been chosen to represent the deaf community of India on the National Committee for Monitoring the Implementation of the 11th 5 year plan and the UNCRPD.

The Committee met for the first time on 28th and 29th September to discuss the action plan for the future.

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