AGRA CONVENTION 2014

Blind Stars Beyond Facebook Bridging The Gap

7th to 9th November, 2014

Volunteers Experience

Department of Social Work (MSW), ISS, Agra

8th November 2014

DAY 2 OF THE CONVENTION: SESSIONS OF THE DAY

Mainstreaming of Blind Child specially the Girl Child: Role of the family and key challenges.

MSW Volunteers Experience, Agra Convention 2014

The social issue of Gender based Discrimination is something that everyone is aware of. But it was probably the first time that we were getting to know about the fate that awaits a girl child who is blind. Girl children are anyway considered a liability in most sections of our society even today, but to be a blind girl child at that would be the worst nightmare of parents belonging to those sections of the society. The argument that a blind girl cannot see the danger looming ahead of her is used to justify this absurd attitude towards blind girls. But this is no justification to deny the blind girl the right to education and a normal life, the chance to realize her potential. Such views were put forward by the speakers of this session. As students of Social Work, we could very well identify the streak of dominant patriarchy in this attitude towards blind girls. A solution would only be reached if the blind girls are motivated to take a stand for themselves rather than have someone else do it for them.

School Education for the Visually Impaired / Inclusive Education The Kothari Commission in 1966 recommended the same approach to education for every child. But has it been possible. Clearly not! How do we even think of main-streaming of blind children when we have already termed a section as the main population. The fact that school textbooks are never published from the point of view of a blind child is something we had never thought about prior to this. The process of Sensitization would have to start from childhood. We, as a society, would have to learn to respect diversity, be it of any kind. Writing off anyone who is different from us has already created an imbalance in our society, with people hating anyone who does not conform to their standards.

Workshop with HR experts to make them understand the abilities and productivity of a visually challenged candidate. Miss Neha Agarwal is a visually challenged lady who works as a Project Manager in IBM. Just hearing her introduction shattered a lot of myths for the people present in the room. A blind person working for an international organization for the past so many years is nothing short of an inspirational story. Miss Neha described how people with visual impairment are no less than the sighted people when it takes to shouldering responsibilities in an organization. With the help of technology, like the software JAWS, everything has been made possible for the blind. It was reassuring to see the various HR experts present there appreciate her skills and confidence and promising to never overlook a blind candidate for a sighted one if he is capable enough.

Women with Blindness: Challenges and Expectations

Miss Shalini Khanna, head of the Centre for Blind Women, delivered an excellent lecture enlightening us about the various challenges that blind women face in every aspect of life, be it in finding employment or finding a life partner. The fact that even some blind men don?t want to get married to blind women was very disheartening. But then, as she recounted stories of her students at the centre, who are excelling in all walks of life, the auditorium resonated with applause. It was once again established how important it is to make blind girls self-dependent.

Employment Opportunities for the Visually Impaired

The two key speakers of this session; Miss Neha Agarwal and Mrs. Veena Verma are themselves the epitome of will power and perseverance. With their dedication, they have carved for themselves very successful careers. We, as budding HR managers, found this very motivating and inspiring. We were instilled with the faith that if we wish, we could accomplish anything we want with hard work and determination and turn our weaknesses into our assets.