" A person who is severely handicapped never knows his own hidden source of strength until he is treated like a normal human being and allowed and supported to shape his own life-for life is either a challenge and an adventure or nothing at all "
                                       - Dr. Helen Keller


Renuka Rane

They gently feel your hands, your watch, the shape of your fingernails and the texture of your skin. heir hands talk and are, in effect, their eyes. They write the letters of the alphabet on your palm and tap your wrist to signal the end of each word. After this novel exercise in palm printing follows an interactive session on the computer. 

 
"Hi Zamir"
"Hello."
"How are you?"
"I am doing fine."
"Tell me more about yourself."
"I first came to the Helen Keller Institute for the Deaf and Deafblind when I was 12.."

Does this resemble a chat transcript? Actually, thisa written dialogue in Ms Word, with Zamir Dhale, who is Deafblind. Dhale cannot use the mouse, can't see the monitor and neither can he hear any instructions. Yet, he does not falter or hesitate while working on the computer. 
Dhale is an assistant computer trainer at the Helen Keller Institute for Deaf & Deafblind (HKIDB), Mumbai, a pioneering institute in India and Asia in the education of the Deafblind.


In 1977, founder Beroz Vacha and two other teachers - Diana fernandes and Brinda Nanavati, started with just three students and a meager Rs. 150. At the time, services existed for the deaf and blind separately, but none were available for the Deafblind.

In 1979, they moved to the present municipal school at Byculla. HKIDB provides early education services for the Deafblind hildren, a school for older students, vocational training for rehabilitation and a teacher training course. Most of the students come from the lower strata of society, but from families with a vision of their children having access to adequate educational facilities and happy futures. 

Productions of HKIDB's Computerised Mini Braille Press  

  • Twelve different types of greeting cards for special occasions such as festivals, birthdays, and so on.
  • A unique all-time desktop calendar of inspirational thoughts.
  • 101 amazing science experiments and brain tickling activities for students.
  • Human Anatomy Atlas.
  • An India Atlas titled 'India at your Fingertips'.
  • Books in Braille and large print o that Deafblind and Low- vision students can read them. These include who Moved My Cheese, The Chicken Soup series, Indian Cookery and Light from Many Lamps.
  •  Braille labelling, another upcoming income-generating line.

The Legacy of Helen Keller

Dr. Helen Keller (1880-1968) who paved the way for educating the Deaf & Deafblind, was herself Deafblind. Says Vacha, "I believe that there is no dearth of goodness in this world. Our strength comes from Helen Keller's legacy - Our belief that 'No one is incapable of being educated, loved and accepted with dignity; it is the fundamental birthright of every child to be educated, loved and accepted with dignity' has served us over the years. Our students think, 'we can because we think we can'.'"

The Deaf & Deafblind have differing degrees of both vision and hearing loss, that could be accompanied by other debilitating conditions such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy & seizures. A Deafblind child, due to the combination of hearing and visual handicaps, needs a specialized, individualized programme that will help him or her function better. By and large, HKIDB has a 1:1 teacher-student ratio.          
HKIDB follows the philosophy of total communication-oral, aural manual, print, mime and dance that helps improve cognitive levels, thus enabling free modes of self-expression.

Why Teach Computing?

The educational curriculum at HKIDB aims to develop a student's literary and academic skills including reading and writing, cognitive skills (reasoning, attention to tasks, memory, retention, cause and effect), motor skills (such as hand eye coordination), perceptual skills, orientation and mobility. So far, these skills were taught the old fashioned way, using books or charts in Braille.
        Computers have become a vital part of the modern education process. Some children with Deafblindness are disinclined to explore their environment - computers motivate such children and improve concentration. Software with attractive visual and auditory features encourage low vision or hearing impaired children to use their residual vision and hearing - larger fonts enable children suffering from low vision to read comfortably.

Vacha says, "How long will the Deaf & Deafblind earn a living making flower's, candles and paper bags? They are not lesser mortals! They can as competent as the next person of given the right chance. Don't they an equal right to become computer-savvy? Deafblind children are bright and have tremendous potential for education and work. Computer literacy enables children with disabilities to lead a normal life."
Former students Zamir Dhale and Pradip Sinha (both Deafblind) insisted on learning computers. Both are now computer training assistants at HKIDB.  

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