Time to balance the equation

This article was originally written for MSN India by George Abraham CEO, Score Foundation. It is the second in a series of 13 articles based on the themes in our TV Series, Nazar Ya Nazariya, airing on Doordarshan National, Saturdays, at 9:30 am.

In most parts of India, the study of subjects like Science and Mathematics is seen as the preserve of the bright and the intelligent. If a child opts to study humanities subjects, the question immediately asked is: “didn’t he or she have enough marks to get into Science stream?” There was a time when every parent dreamt of their child either becoming a doctor or an engineer. What happens if the child is blind or visually impaired?

Do parents still have the same kind of dreams? Most schools across India do not teach Science or Mathematics to blind children beyond class 8. Blind children are encouraged to take up subjects like music, language courses, handicrafts or humanities instead. Science and Mathematics are seen as beyond the learning capacity of these children.

In 1973, when in class 9, I had to make a choice of my elective subjects, I was told that I would not be able to handle Physics, Chemistry and Biology because there would be practicals and with the kind of eyesight I had, I would serve me better to choose other subjects.

Likewise traditionally Mathematical concepts are taught using a number of elements such as diagrams, tables, graphs, charts and so on which are visual, and the perception, that blind children cannot learn the subject, strengthens.

Pratish Datta lost his eyesight when he was in middle school. He wanted to study science, but at the time the school and the system forbade him. His parents however insisted that he take up Mathematics. His mother committed herself to providing Pratish with all the support needed to pursue Mathematics. Pratish completed his schooling, and then went on to continue studying Mathematics at St Xaviers College, Kolkata and then signed up for his PhD in Criptology at IIT Kharakpur. In 2012, he won the much acclaimed Prof J.C Bose Award at IIT Kharakpur for topping in all subjects including Mathematics. In 10 years time, Pratish aspires to return to IIT Kharakpur as a Professor.

Kartik Sawhney

Kartik Sahwney is presently a freshman at Stanford, USA. He is doing an undergraduate programme in Computer Sciences on full scholarship. He completed his class 12th from DPS (Delhi Public School) in 2013 with Science and Mathematics scoring 96%. The CBSE Board allows blind students to study Science and Mathematics in High School, however in reality, very few students take up Science or Mathematics simply because the pedagogy, teaching tools, study material, systemic support and will to teach (in many cases) is missing. Kartik and his parents were determined and they were fortunate that DPS, RK Puram was supportive. The school, though initially hesitant, went the full distance. They were flexible, innovative and committed to Kartik’s cause.

Devnar School for the blind, Hyderabad is one of those special schools where it was realised that the study of Science and Mathematics was important for blind children. Over the years, the teachers of the school have developed tools and techniques that helped transfer scientific and mathematical concepts and overcome the barriers posed by lack of sight. Biology is taught with ease to blind students using real sized models created and put together by the dedicated and innovative teaching staff of the school. 

The stories of Kartik, Pratish and some of the students who have passed out of Devnar School are truly inspiring. One is compelled to raise the question: Is the problem really with the ability of blind students to learn and comprehend Science and Mathematics or is it with the inability of the system to effectively teach these subjects. How important is doing practicals to the study of Science? Can we look at being a little flexible and innovative here? As in the case of Kartik practicals can be understood just as well regardless of who performs them, cant we consider group work where blind students are included? Aren’t there alternative possibilities to diagrams, graphs, tables in using and studying Mathematics?

Math and Science govern the environment of not only sighted but also blind children. From preparing the budget at home to understanding the best course of action in the case of an injury, Science and Math are all around us. It is important to have the same kind of expectations from a blind child that you might have from a sighted child. It is not the disability that prevents so many blind students from taking up Math and Science, it is our lack of faith in their ability. The day we stop focussing on the problem and start looking for solutions, we will be amazed at the possibilities life has to offer. This coming from someone who did his bachelor’s in Mathematics despite being blind.

 More Information:

Score Foundation is a not-for-profit organization based out of New Delhi, India working on disseminating information about living life with blindness. 

Their latest project is Nazar Ya Nazariya TV Series. To watch episode two visit our YouTube Channel, also watch the 5 minute version of the episode with English Subtitle here.

To support Score Foundation click here - http://www.rangde.org/score-foundation

Eyeway website www.eyeway.org

Parenting - New Possibilities

This article was originally written for MSN India by George Abraham CEO, Score Foundation. It is the first in a series of 13 articles based on the themes in our TV Series, Nazar Ya Nazariya, airing on Doordarshan National, Saturdays, at 9:30 am.

When a child is born parents have great expectations. They dream of their child playing cricket, topping the class, becoming a civil servant, winning prizes and so on. Many parents dream of reliving their aspirations through their children. But what happens if the child is blind?

It is natural for disappointment and frustration to set in. Many parents question why it has happened to them. The initial response is to go to the doctor and see if the blindness can be cured. This is certainly the right thing to do. There are some eye disorders that can be surgically corrected, but there are several eye conditions that cannot be treated. The blindness or visual impairment must be lived with.

Of course there will be relatives and friends who come up with helpful recommendations of a doctor in Kolkata or a Homeopath in Dehradun or an Ayurvedic centre in Kerala or a Guru somewhere else who has cured or healed blind people. Many parents spend years, travelling from pillar to post, treatment shopping with little success. Any Ophthalmologist worth his salt can tell you if an eye condition can be treated or not and it is important for parents and family to accept that as true.

Madhubala Sharma with her son 

Monica and Madhubala are sisters and both were born blind. Sure their parents were disappointed but, once they realised that there was no treatment available, they moved on with life. They ensured that their daughters had a regular childhood studded with milestones, learning and fun. They gave them the best education, and taught them to be independent, whether it be moving around, handling their personal affairs or their choices. They were given the freedom to dream and do what they liked. Both Monica and Madhubala today work with leading multinationals; Monica, a trainer and Madhubala, a learning and development facilitator. Both of them are married and have a son each.

Preeti Monga started losing her eyesight at the age of 6 and by the time she reached class 8, she had lost all her sight. Her school felt that they could not handle it and told her parents to take her out and put her in a blind school. It is commonly thought that blind people are good at music, so her parents got her to learn the Sitar. After 7 years of learning the Sitar, Preeti realised that she hadn’t made too much progress and her Guru plainly told her that she had no ear for music. The idea of making a career from music was then set aside.

Preeti began learning Aerobics and became India’s first blind Aerobic instructor. Alongside this she joined a company selling pickles and chips. Again Preeti’s parents looked at the abilities that Preeti had instead of feeling sorry about her disability and so-called misfortune. Preeti moved on to Public Relations with a Hospital and after a few years set up her own HR consulting firm called Silver Lining Consultants. She is into corporate recruitment, training, printing solutions and host of other related activities. In the span of a couple of years her business expanded, compelling her brother and husband to join. Preeti gives total credit to her parents for her confidence, positive mindset and her ability to take risks. Preeti is married, has two married children and grandchildren too.

Tejinder Gulati had 4 children all blind. She was left to bring up these children single handed. She was a housewife with limited education. Her parents gave her a simple piece of advice - Educate the children, empower them, make them independent and ensure that they stand on their own feet. She took up a job as a sales person and set out to bring up her 4 blind children. She looked for a good school and did whatever it took to give the best possible education within her means to all of her children. She believed in the talent and ability of her children and knew that her role was to give them the opportunity to develop. Tough though it was, today all her children are working professionals, two of them married.

The above stories clearly establish that being blind is no reason for life to stop. Blindness might be an inconvenience but it is certainly not a road block. There will be challenges, but the approach should be to look for solutions. Parents must look at their blind child as a potential resource perfectly capable of growing up and not only contributing to the family but also to the Nation. It is the responsibility of parents to invest in their children and expect them to grow up as responsible citizens. Parents must invest time and money on good education, values, attitudes, and personal independence. It is about nurturing the blind child to become part of the Human Resource of the country.

It is no longer about just looking after a liability; it is about grooming and investing in the future.

 More Information:

Score Foundation is a not-for-profit organization based out of New Delhi, India working on disseminating information about living life with blindness. 

Their latest project is Nazar Ya Nazariya TV Series. Watch episode one visit our YouTube Channel, also watch the 5 minute version of the episode with English Subtitle here.

To support Score Foundation click here - http://www.rangde.org/score-foundation

Eyeway website www.eyeway.org

Support Score Foundation - http://www.rangde.org/score-foundation

Should marriage between disabled and non disabled be Incentivised?

This Blogpost is written by Ms. Shabina Bano, Reasearch Officer at Score Foundation. The views expressed here in are her own. 

The need for marriage or a relationship is one of the basic and most important needs of people with and without disability. People with disability may also have a desire to have companionship and want to raise a family.

But when it comes to people who have a disability, marriage is one institution where stigmas can be starkly highlighted.

The Government of India has introduced a scheme which incentivises marriage between disabled and non-disabled people. The purpose of the scheme is to promote greater acceptance and inclusion of disabled people in mainstream institutions such as marriage. This one time lump sum grant is given to the couple once they get married. The amount differs from one state to another. In the majority of states, the amount is Rs 25,000/-. Indian society is full of instances of discrimination and exclusion of people with disability. Marriage is often not even recognised as a need for people with disability.

I believe that marriage at the core of it is a partnership between two people. If that partnership is between a sighted and a visually impaired person each of them has an opportunity to understand the others point of view. It will also help each of them understand that sight or lack thereof does not make anybody sub- or superhuman. A visually impaired person is just as independent and self reliant as a sighted person, and marriage is the perfect setting to prove this. I am also hopeful that such a couple will raise children more likely to be sensitive towards disability.

The strategic policy of the government is no doubt to encourage the non -disabled population to look at disabled people as potential life partners, instead of dismissing them straight out because of their disability. Providing a grant or incentive to sighted people is hoped to influence their mindset towards the marriage potential of a visually impaired person.

But the scheme is controversial. It begs questions such as,

• should the formation of a marriage be incentivised or influenced by the government?
• Will this scheme be helpful in changing mindsets or will it forever brand visually impaired people as charity cases, who no one will want to marry unless offered cash incentives?
• Can a marriage be long lasting if it is based on greed or the hope of monetary gain?
• Is there a need for such a provision to promote inclusion and acceptance of disabled people in the society? Or is it patronising?

Finding a marriage partner is one of the most challenging tasks for people with disability in India. Incentivising the institution may influence people temporarily but at the heart of it the problem persists. The need is to create mass awareness and sensitization and at the same time to showcase the positive image of people with disability who are leading happy married life.

"End the 'Book Famine' with better technology, attitudes and copyright law"

The author is an Indian student, who has passed his class 12th this year with a 96% in Science from CBSE. He is shortly off to Stanford University to pursue a bachelor's in Computer Science. He recently wrote a Perspective Article for the State of Worlds Children 2013 : Children with Disabilities Report. He is also a client of Eyeway. 

This was the title of one of my papers published by the UNICEF relatively recently. Being blind, it has been a regular feature for me to type out the entire text from my textbooks, since the textbooks were not available in the electronic versions (since OCR does not work well with Math and Science content). This not only added a lot of stress and anxiety, but also made me despondent at times. Further, the fact that sharing the digital textbooks across borders was considered an infringement of the international copyright law, was all the more worrisome. This meant that I could not even access those textbooks that were converted into their corresponding E-text in other parts of the world. This is the very reason that I requested the international organizations to take a serious view of the possibility of a referendum on this issue in my perspective essay.

Wednesday, June 26, brought some great news for me and millions of students with print disabilities across the globe. As a part of the international deliberation organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization at Marrakesh, Morocco, a historic copyright treaty for the blind and visually impaired was unanimously adopted after over five years of considerable effort and struggle. The treaty, among other things, provides legal recognition to the cross-border distribution of accessible versions of textbooks for the benefit of those afflicted with print disabilities, subject to certain restrictions, while also guaranteeing the right of distribution to individuals and right to translation.

In my view, this treaty is nothing less than a miracle. This is exactly what I had always envisaged -a world where everybody has access to printed material on an equal basis, a world where multinational co-operation is the norm, a world where disability is reduced to a mere nuisance. With concerted effort and implementation of the treaty in complete earnest, I am sure we will be able to achieve this 'equal world'.