About NGO:
Sense International (India) was established in 1997 as the first national nongovernmental organization in India to support the development of comprehensive services for deafblind people.When we first started our work in 1997, there was only one deafblind service in the whole country reaching out to just 23 children. From there we have succeeded in setting up and supporting over 45 programmes in 20 states across India, reaching out to over 42,000 persons with deafblindness and Multi Sensory Impairments (MIS) and their families. However this is still a fraction of the total estimated population of 450,000 persons with deafblindness in India. Deafblindness is a unique disability. It is a combination of vision and hearing loss in an individual leading to the complex problems in communication, mobility and accessing information. Our vision is of a world in which all deafblind children and adults can be full and active members of society. Our purpose is to work in partnership with others - deafblind people, their families, care-givers and professionals - to ensure that everyone facing challenges because of deafblindness has access to advice, opportunities and support.

Fund Usage:
Sense International (India)'s aim is to reach-out to maximum number of deafblind persons and their families in such a manner that they need not travel more than a day to receive quality services. There is also a need to establish quality service along with setting up of an early identification system for deafblind infants. To support and encourage teacher training in the field of deafblindness. To develop and expand the work being carried out by the three Networks of Deafblind adults (Udaan), parents (Prayaas) & teachers (Abhi-prerna). Creating mass awareness and developing IEC (Information, Education and Communication) on deafblindness.
Impact:
Dhairya loves spending his evenings in the kitchen with his mom and being a complete foodie he not only enjoys eating but also enjoys watching his mom cook. He is his mom's assistant chef and helps her in the kitchen. Probably one day this extremely charming 14 year old will grow up to be a great chef. For him and his family the journey till now has not been smooth sailing. He is deafblind with Usher Syndrome,Coupled with this genetic disorder he also has autistic features. Initially Dhairya's parents were at a loss as to how to deal with him. Communication barriers had isolated him from the world around him. When they came to know about the deafblind programme supported by Sense International (India) at Blind People's Association (BPA), they immediately visited the Unit. They felt relieved when all their doubts regarding deafblindness and future of deafblind children were answered patiently. Thus confident that their child had a future, they enrolled him in the programme. Initially he was a very hyper-active child with extremely low attention span and concentration. It was difficult for him to express himself to others. He could not eat or drink on his own; had no toilet control; could not dress up on his own or take bath; in short he had no life skill training. Today, Dhairya is responding positively to the training. His behaviour has mellowed down and he is able to carry out most of his day to day tasks like eating, drinking, going to toiled, etc on his own. He can now follow instructions and is also learning sign language. His teachers and parents are confident that given the continued education, training and support, he will soon learn to live an independent life.
Page Url :
http://www.unitedwaymumbai.org/ngo156_sii.htm

Founded Year: 1997

Cause category: Others