95% of what we learn is through our sight and hearing. But with absence or impairment of vision as well as hearing, children with deafblindness are unable to even walk or communicate even the most basic of needs – such as hunger, thirst or pain. They live in isolation and neglect – being denied the right to medical care, education, social interactions and work that are taken for granted by most of us.
Sense India is the only national organisation supporting and advocating for children and adults with deafblindness for their better care through early intervention, individualised education and livelihood opportunities. Our work is transforming the lives of more than 80,000 persons with deafblindness from isolation and neglect to interaction, self-esteem and becoming contributing members of the society.
It gives me immense pleasure to share with you the 26th Annual Report of Sense India. At the outset, I extend my most sincere gratitude to all our past and ongoing supporters for believing in us to provide a meaningful future to persons with deafblindness and multiple disabilities in India. The inclusion of persons with deafblindness involves providing access to education, communication, technology, and support services tailored to their unique needs. With our partners, we have been able to empower them through specialized training, assistive devices, and community engagement leading to their independence and integration into society. Our joint efforts have enabled them to contribute and thrive.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, we realised that the mental well-being of persons with deafblindness is complex due to challenges in communication, access to resources, and social isolation. Many face barriers in accessing mental health support and often experience higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. In this year, we put our efforts to address their mental health needs through specialized care, including tailored therapies, accessible communication methods, and support from professionals trained in mental health. Going forward, we believe that creating awareness, providing mental health services, and promoting inclusive policies are crucial steps toward supporting the mental well-being of the deafblind community in India.
I am sure you will find our Annual Report informative and I thank you for your continued support."
New-born babies and children aged 0 to 6 years are screened by specialists at our baby screening centres in hospitals. We then assess the child and develop an early intervention plan designed around his/her specific needs and the level of sensory impairment. Early intervention is crucial.
Baby screening units supported by us
Babies screened
Children were identified and enrolled in our Early Intervention programme
With the help of families and local panchayat administration, our partners have been able to start 12 satellite centres helping more children with deafblindness to access services, support and advice.
Children with deafblindness aged 6 to 14 years, learn through our individualised education plan developed according to each child’s detailed assessment report. Our team of special educators and therapists for speech, mobility and physiotherapy work with children at their homes and at our centres. Through our focused and individualised care and education, children are now exploring the world around them for the first time.
Children were identified and enrolled in our programme
Children are receiving services at their homes and centres
Children with deafblindness are now going to regular schools under Samagra Shiksha
Knowing a vocational skill and being able to earn a living not only gives a person with deafblindness economic independence but restores his/her confidence knowing he/she is a contributing member of the family. We plan the vocational training in consultation with the parents/family. We identify the skills based on the ability and interest of the persons with deafblindness, and also assess employment opportunities for the particular skill.
Young adults are being trained in different vocational skills
Vocational Units across India
A pilot training for ‘Skilling on Adapting Vocational Trades for Persons with Deafblindness and Multiple Disabilities’ was organised for the first time in all the five regions of India.
Vocational training in itself is not enough so we identify and support livelihood opportunities (income generation activities) for persons with deafblindness and multiple disabilities who have learned vocational skills and are capable of working – either by starting their own micro enterprises or as an employee. Independent enterprises are usually run with their families.
Young adults now earning members of families
Young adults received support to start their own micro enterprise this year
Children and adults with deafblindness require highly skilled professional trainers and educators. Special educators and senior professionals sometimes find it difficult to update their skills and learn about latest interventions, ideas being followed in the field. One of our main focus is equipping parents, teachers and educators with updated skills to help children and adults with deafblindness reach their full potential. We conduct training sessions and workshops for parents so that they can start giving their children proper care from an early age.
Professional, parents and experts trained through various National and International trainings
Professionals and parents trained through our Web Education on Deafblindness and Sign Language
Samagra Shiksha teachers trained through 16 trainings nationally
Web Education on ‘Deafblindness and Sign Language’ is the first online course in the country specifically designed by Sense India, for teachers and rehabilitation professionals. It is also beneficial to parents, caregivers and other multi-disciplinary professionals working across health and social care, helping each of them to understand the educational settings and to meet the appropriate needs of persons with deafblindness.
Children and adults we serve are navigating one of the most difficult and challenging disability. Pandemic hit them hard as it restricted their main form of communication and learning through touch thus isolating them further. In an initial survey of young adults deafblind with deafblindness conducted by Sense India, 82% showed signs of depression after COVID. As advocates and service providers, it was crucial for us to act. Sense India took the first of its kind initiative with the support of Grand Challenges Canada to assess, identify and provide individualised intervention and support for children and young adults with deafblindness between 10 to 24 years on mental health issues.
Children and young adults with deafblindness screened, assessed and receiving intervention for mental health issues
Children and young adults with deafblindness were receiving counselling
Adults with deafblindness, special educators, parents/caregivers and CBR workers trained in identifying and addressing mental health issues
Due to rarity of deafblindness, we developed a national network of special educators (Abhi-Prerna), parents (Prayaas) and adults with deafblindness (Udaan). A peer support system not only helps them share experiences, knowledge and information but also helps us reach out to more children in need. Currently, Sense India is supporting 22 local parents’ groups across India as well.
Members are connected through our national networks for deafblind adults, teachers and parents
Network members from 16 States participated in 10 regional and one national event
Nine adults with deafblindness (Udaan members) along with their interpreters and guides went on their first ever trek to Ghandruk, Chhomrong and Landruk- Annapurna range in Nepal as part of inter-nation exposure visit organised in partnership with NDFN, Nepal.
We reached out to different government bodies and representatives creating awareness about deafblindness and multiple disabilities while raising issues like appropriate certification, equal disability pension, inclusion in National Census, election & UDID cards, inclusion in vocational trainings at National Career Service Centre for Differently Abled, inclusive education for children with deafblindness among others.
Government officials sensitised in 20 States across India
Individuals with deafblindness are availing government benefits like disability pension, Niramaya Health Insurance, assistive devices, bus pass, railway pass, housing through PMAY among others
10 Udaan members completed four months’ internship in advocacy at our partner organisations in five states.
Volunteers from different corporates have made learning fun, exciting and inclusive for children with deafblindness by creating tactile learning materials, pre-braille books and mobility aids.
Volunteers engaged
Corporates
Learning materials created
400+ individuals, including children and people with multiple disabilities, enthusiastically participated in Sense India’s 9th Annual Cyclothon to celebrate the birthday of Helen Keller and her indomitable spirit. People in tricycles and bicycles came together to not only ride, but to create awareness about deafblindness.
A big thank you to all our supporters who donate funds for our programmes, volunteer at events, contribute to our staff salaries and operating costs to help us do what we do. We wouldn’t exist without you.
Abil Infraprojects Pvt. Ltd.
Adobe Systems India Pvt. Ltd.
Alchemy Capital Management Pvt. Ltd.
Art Housing Finance (India) Ltd.
Asha For Education
Azim Premji Foundation
Bahar Infocons Pvt. Ltd.
Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Co. Ltd.
Bajaj Auto Ltd.
Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) America
Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) India
Cheil India Pvt. Ltd.
Cisco India
Commonwealth Foundation (UK)
C.U. Shah Foundation
DMCC Speciality Chemicals Ltd.
EdelGive Foundation
Firstsource Solutions Limited
GAIL (India) Pvt. Ltd.
Give Foundation
Grand Challenges Canada
Intel Technology India Pvt. Ltd.
Kamal India Foundation
Kamal Udwadia Foundation
Kerakoll India Pvt. Ltd.
K Pravinchandra and Associates
Madhya Pradesh Viklang Sahayata Samiti
Mahavir Trust
Microsoft India R & D Pvt. Ltd.
Mukul Madhav Foundation
Nelumbo Foundation
Paul Hamlyn Foundation
Rotary Club of Mumbai Queen's Necklace Charitable Trust
Pramiti Philanthropy Partners
Sense International (UK)
Shree Raj Saubhag Satsang Mandal (UK)
Standup4Talent Foundation, The Netherlands
Shell India
The Benevity Community Impact Fund
Thomas Cook
U. K. Paints India Pvt. Ltd.
United Way of Mumbai
Yatayat Corporation Of India
Crosseas Capital Services Pvt. Ltd.
Purab Textile
G D Saraf Charitable Trust
Bai Freny Darab Pader Charitable Trust
Parbhudas Kishordas Tobacco Products Pvt. Ltd.
Trupti Dalal Charitable Trust
Abhishek Saxena
Aleem Adatia
Amita Bharat Bhate
Ananda Ramesh
Ananga Kumar Patnaik
Ananga Patnaik Kumar
B Kundavi
B. V. S. R Murty
Balaji Ardhanari
Balwant Singh Bains
Behram Bulsara
Chahatey Ram
Chanda J Jog
Chandan Kumar
D. V. Bala Ramanamma
Dhanpal Babubhai Shah
Dharamraj Nayak
Gita J Parikh
Haresh Dholakia
Jalpa Sameer Parikh
Jayal Rajesh Panchal
Jayanti Khaitan
Jayanti Prasad Khaitan
Jitendra Kantilal Shah
Juzer M Vasi
K Muthu
Kaushikray Bhaskerrao Desai
Kavitha Ramu
Krishnasami Temple Bharathi
Lata Krishna Murti
Milind Mukund Kasar
Miriam J E Contractor
Mohan N S
Muthu Shankar
Padma Gopalan
Pradyuman Trivedi
Prasad Parthasarthy
Preetham Solomon
Raj Kumar Kataria
Roopak V Vaidya
Roopak Vaidya
S Ramakrishnan
Sameer Jagdish Parikh
Shrutilata Maheshwariprasad Singh
Shyam Anil Divan
Sivakumaran Meenakshisunderam
Sounak Majumdar
Srinivasan Prasannan
Subbarao Pendyala
Subrahmanyam Kollimarla
Sudhir S Shanbhag
Sunil Kumar Gupta
Tushar Arvind Mavani
Umakant Kantilal Patel
Usha Anand
V Krishnasami Bharathi
Venkateshprasad Narayan Iyer
Vikas Khemani
Vinit Ketan Patel
Zafir Ebrahim
Abdul Rehman Desai
Ankit Gandhi
Anupam G Gupta
Avinash Dighe
Bhanu Chaudhary
Pushpita Hati
Cyrus Naval Daruwalla
Guru Prasad Mugeraya
Jai Kapoor
Kanchan Khabya
Kiran Wadagavi
Kirubakaran Kalimuthu
Kumar Abhishek
Kunal Rathod
Manishbhai Gupta
Manjunatha M
Mayank Saxena
Mohan Baburao Magdum
Murthy S
Nikita Bisht
Prabhu Sai Uday Kiran Kairam
Rama Naga Anjaneya Kumar Kuncham
Ramesh Rathod
Ripunjoy Gohain
Roshan Daniel
Sachin Goled
Santosh Sethy
Seethalakshmi S
Sumit Shankar Sinha
Tapas Mohanty
Varun Dev Shanker
Vivek Khabya
Vivek Madhwal
Xerxes Rao
Paul Suryavanshi Endowment Fund
Sadashiv And Saraswati Prasad Endowment Fund
Ajay Khanna Fund
Sugandh Endowment Fund
Kumud & Vasant Joshiendowment Fund
The Nozer & Burjish Memorial Endowment Fund
Tulsi Projects Pvt. Ltd.
Every donations counts as it helps us provide services to more children with deafblindness.
