New Member in Sightsavers International India Region

Dear All,

I am pleased to inform you that Sandeep Kulshrestha has joined us as the new Regional Human Resource Development Manager.

Sandeep has over 13 ½ years HRD experience, most of which has been in the corporate sector, including Holiday Inn and Balaji Railroad Systems. He was last with Lepra Society, India as Head of Human Resources.

After his graduation in commerce, Sandeep went on to do his post graduation in management, majoring in HR and finance. He has a PhD (Honoris Causa) from Académie Européenne d’Informatisation (Belgium) and is now pursuing an MS in Strategic Human Resource Management from International Open University.

I am sure you will join me in welcoming Sandeep to Sightsavers and will wish him the very best for the new chapter in his life.

Kind regards,

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Kurian,
Regional Director

EENET Newsletter 2009:Call for Articles

Dear all

I think you all know EENet. This call for articles has been circulated previously, but the deadline has now been extended first drafts should now be submitted by 15th March. It's good way to share experiences of education work. Ingrid at EENet can give more detail on what sort of information is best for articles, so if you have some ideas, do get in touch with her or SIAO and we can discuss with you to see whether they would be appropriate. We can also help write articles.

Contact Details : Ingrid Lewis
EENET Co-ordinator (part-time)
Enabling Education Network
c/o ESI, School of Education
University of Manchester
Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
Tel: +44 (0)161 275 3711
Fax: +44 (0)161 275 3548
Mobile: +44 (0)7929 326 564
Skype: ingrid.eenet
General enquiries email: info@eenet.org.uk

Website: www.eenet.org.uk
EENET is an information sharing network which promotes the inclusion of marginalised groups in education worldwide.


Deadline for Submission : 15th March, 2009 (First Draft)

You would be happy to know that in recent issue (EENET Asia Newsletter, 6th issue), NAB Kerala's case study on DAVID was published. Also, you can submit an event coverage like key points after attending a conference. In the same issue, an article on event coverage was also published from SIAO. (http://www.idp-europe.org/eenet/)

Don't forget that all the past EENet newsletters are available on www.eenet.org.uk and they are a great source of guidance for inclusive education programmes - ideally suited for education fieldworkers and teachers.

Best wishes,
Moderator

Some general guidelines for writing newsletter articles can be found on EENET website at http://www.eenet.org.uk/about/guidelines.shtml

Moving Towards Collaboration with UDIS and CBM

The discourse on working together through network was initiated with Dr Mani by Shweta and Ketan during IE Workshop at NAB Karnataka somewhere in June. And today it witnessed the committement by Sightsavers International, UDIS and CBM through a meeting at Sightsavers Mumbai office to explore ways of collaboration for disabled persons in Southern Region.

From UDIS, Dr M.N.G. Mani, Secretary General (International Council for Education of Visually Imparied persons), Ms Gunawathy Fernandez, CBM Regional Director (Southern), Ms Elizabeth Kurian (Regional Director, Sightsavers)and SIAO team attended the meeting.

The UDIS Forum is a registered network of parents, persons with disabilities, professionals and voluntary organisations facilitating employment and empowerment of persons with disabilities.The Forum is headed by Dr. M.N.G. Mani in collaboration with CBM (Southern Regional Office, Bangalore).



Features of current programmes:

Employment Guidance Programme (EGP): Works in partnership with the District Employment Exchange. Registration of unemployed candidates followed by identification of jobs and arranging pre-employment training.

Training and Employment Network with Non-Governmental Organisations (TENNGO): NGOs are assisted to set-up vocational training units for persons with disabilities. UDIS Forum provides technical know-how. The Forum with the help of DPOs bring PWDs for training.

Disabled People’s Organisations – Corporate Network Programme (DPOC): Promotion of DPOs for strengthening employment opportunities and advocacy. Working closely with the Association of Parents of the Mentally Challenged. Linking the DPOs with Corporate houses for self-employment

Youth Volunteer Programme (YVP): Youth Wing on Disability Services (YWDIS) Formed. Students from 6 Colleges in Coimbatore trained as Master trainers in disability management. State level essay writing competition on disability management conducted. More than 2000 students from schools and colleges sensitised in disability management.

Advocacy in Disability (ADIS): Public Rallies conducted for awareness creation and meetings for NGOs organised in various parts of the State. Also, state level seminar on disability management organised for Social Work departments of colleges.

Marga-Schulze Scholarship (MASS)• 61 girls with visual impairment from 4 states assisted during 2007-08
• More than 120 applications being processed for scholarship in 2008-09
• Laptops distributed to 12 students on May 5, 2008

Promotion of Disability Alliance of Voluntary Organisations (DAVO: The UDIS Forum also monitors a website named DAVO (www.davo.in) which serves as a platform for non-governmental organisations to post their information for dissemination for the benefit of the general public, parents, professionals and other organisations.

AES Technologies – UDIS Forum Technology (AUTIS) Internship Scheme : The AES Technologies India Private Limited, a member of the NASSCOM has formulated training courses in the IT sector to equip the skills of persons with disabilities for their employment.

Miles We Walked Together !

Dear All,

Wish you a very happy and prosperous new year 2009.

2008 has been the year of innovation, excitement, learning and growth at SIAO with some of the wonderful initiatives by our wonderful team. We have achieved lots of good things in year 2008; we sincerely acknowledge the guidance, support and contribution from the Regional office and other area offices. We also acknowledge the support from HQ, Partners and well-wishers in our journey. Just to give the glimpses of year 2008 please find attached “Miles we walked…journey ahead….!”

We have planned lots of new initiatives in the year 2009 and I am sure we will continue to achieve the same through your guidance and support and best wishes. Please do share your comments, thoughts, suggestions to us and posting it the SAMVAD-blogs too.

Wish you once again a very happy new year.


Regards


Shrinivas Sawant
Area Director
South India Area Office


Miles we walked…journey ahead...!
(2008-2009)

Learning and Participation:

• Conference by Asia & Pacific Disability Forum (APDF) on ‘Disability and Development’
• Meeting of Network of funding Organization working on disability at CBR forum Bangalore
• XX ISGEO Congress workshop at Bangalore at AIOS
• Breaking barriers- Techshare India, New Delhi
• Management Training for Eye Care Programme Managers at LAICO, Madurai.
• Workshop on Advocacy in Eye Care, Madurai
• National Symposium on “Vision Impairment in Later Life” organized at H.V. Desai Eye Hospital, Pune.
• National Human Rights Commission meeting on Reviewing the Implementation of UNCRPD in Western Region, Pune
• International Rehab Conference, By Holy Cross, Tiruchirapalli
• Conference on Status of Braille in Asian Blind Union Countries, New Delhi
• COSI Meeting, New Delhi
• National Human Rights Commission meeting on Reviewing the Implementation of UNCRPD in Western Region, Pune


Honours & Affiliations:

• Citizens Journalist Award from TV 18 (CNN-IBN) to Dr Sam Taraporewala, XRCVC, Mumbai
• Award of Excellence as alumni of South Indian Education Society Mumbai to Ketan Kothari from Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
• Star Achiever Award from Tamil Nadu State Human Right Organization to Mr Ranganathen Rangs, CTRD at Chennai.
• Sankara Eye Centre, Coimbatore won the Asian Hospital Management Award for its “Diabetic Retinopathy Project for Rural India”, for carrying out the project along with the Rotary Club of Coimbatore Central.
• Award to Prof. Raju, Vision Aid, for best invention of the year by Department of Science and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, GoI.
• Vision Aid signed MoU with IIT Kharagpur to develop low cost user friendly software for blind and low vision people.


Events Organized by SIAO

• Launch of DOLPHIN pen at NAB Karnataka and Techshare road show, Bangalore
• Launch of Mumbai Eye Care Campaign.
• MLOP Refresher Training for SIA, Vishakhapatnam
• Workshop for IE teachers organized at NAB Karnataka, Bangalore
• National level Low Vision workshop at Lotus college of Optometry, Mumbai
• Workshop on proposed policy for inclusive education
• Print Access Workshop at XRCVC Mumbai
• Support to Antarchakshu by XRCVC, Mumbai
• Workshop for Maharashtra District Programme Managers on best practices of Cataract Management, Aurangabad.


Presentations & Publications

• Presentation and publication on “Empowering Community for Eye Care Services” IAPB VIII General Assembly, Argentina by Shrinivas(Aug)
• Presentation on “Sustainability in Eye Care”, at a workshop “A decade of VISION 2020 in India” , Hyderabad by Shrinivas(Dec)
• “Demystifying Blindness” presentation at Bangalore and Vizag by Ketan Kothari. (Sep)
• Case study publication “Mahesh’s Passport to Success…Braille” in EENET Asia Newsletter, Fifth issue by Shweta Chooramani.
• Event coverage “Assistive Technology Conference: Techshare India” in EENET Asia Newsletter, Sixth issue by Shweta Chooramani.
• Case study publication from NAB Kerala, “David A Fountain of Success” in EENET Asia Newsletter, Sixth Issue.
• Presentation on “Accessibility Initiatives by Sightsavers Partners” at International Rehabilitation Conference organized by Holy Cross College, Trichy by Ketan Kothari.


Academics and Research:

• Lecture by Hasan Minto, Low Vision Expert on Low Vision at Coimbatore City Ophthalmic Association, Coimbatore and alumni group of Lotus College of Optometry, Mumbai.
• Lecture by Dr M.N.G. Mani, Secretary General, International Council for Education of Visually Impaired (ICEVI) people, Coimbatore.
• Participation in Workshop on Research Methodology at LAICO, Madurai.


Advocacy Initiatives and Milestones:

• RBI and IBA (Indian Banking Association) directive for accessible banking for people with visual impairment through XRCVC.
• Book share membership opened to Indian visually impaired readers via XRCVC.
• Circular regarding permission to study science at the higher secondary level in Maharashtra.
• DPM Meeting at Vijayawada (AP), Aurangabad (Maharashtra), Bangalore (Karnataka).
• ORRC organized Multi Disability Assessment Camp at district in collaboration with District Disability Rehabilitation Centre (Disability Welfare Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh) for 100% on the spot certification of disabled persons covering a total of 3,500 disabled persons in the district.


New Projects:

1. J.M. Charitable Trust – District Approach Child Rural Integrated Sight Project (CRISP) through tele-network of vision centre connected with ISRO supported satellite, Kanyakumari
2. CADRE – India –District Approach Enlighten You Eyes (EYE) Project, Kanyakumari
3. NAB Kerala – District Approach Advocacy Project at Panchayat Level for Eyes (APPLE) project, Kerala
4. Vision aid, JKS, ORRC – Satellite for computer education of visually impaired children.
5. Sankar Foundation – Community DR Project.
6. Rotary netra extension support.
7. SKKMT- Coimbatore
8. Mumbai Eye Care Campaign Pilot Project in Dharavi Slum in partnership with Lotus College of Optometry
9. Project with Vimala Dermatological Centre with emphasis on eyecare issues in leprosy patients.
10. Launch of Life Line Express Mobile Clinic (LLEMC) with co-funding from Impact India Foundation implemented by our partner Tulsi Eye Hospital
11. Inauguration of Shri Kanchi Kama Koti Medical Trust (SKKMT) - Shankara Eye Hospital, Shimoga
12. Tulsi Eye Hospital, Nashik – Peadiatrics eye care
13. Shree Bhairav Seva Samiti, Bhivandi (tribal area of thane)
14. SKKMT Bangalore – addendum for onchology (eye cancer) and paediatric eye care.
15. NAB-KB – Ext to Kollegal


New Partners in 2008:

1. Shree Bhairav Seva Samiti, Bhiwandi
2. J.M. Charitable Trust
3. H.V. Desai Eye Hospital
4. Impact India Foundation


Potential Partners Assessed in 2008:

Andhra Pradesh
1. Gautami Eye Institute, Rajahmundry (East Godavari)
2. Pushpagiri Vitreo Retinal Institute, Secunderabad
Tamil Nadu
3. Hellen Keller Talking Book Library, Madurai
4. J. M. Charitable, Nagercoil (Kanyakumari)
5. UDIS Network, Coimbatore
Maharashtra
6. Meeting with Dr Ranjikant Arole, Director at CRHP, Jamkhed
7. Dr Viskas Amte, Secretary Maharogi Sewa Samiti Anandvan, Chandrapur
8. Dr Abhay Bang, SEARCH, Gadhchiroli
9. Mahatme Eye Hospital, Nagpur
10. Dr Satish Gogulvar, Amich Amuchya Aarogya Saathi


Visitors

Jan: - Catherine Cross and Joseph Oye visiting SVYM, Mysore,
Feb: - Kate Gooding visiting to Vizag
Mar: - Taitos Matafeni and Hasan Minto
July: - Katrina Scaife, Nick Bell, Luke Thomas
Sept: - Hasan Minto, Low Vision expert
- Three low vision technicians from Sri Lanka Government supported by Sightsavers Sri Lanka country office.
- Ms. Anne Noon from Sightsavers UK and Ms. Kate Hardy (Journalist) from Guardian
- Carol and Julie (long standing staff) from Sightsavers UK (HH) office
Oct: - Hasan Minto
Nov: - Len Jones to Sankara Eye Hospital, Chennai
Nov: - Sally Crook from IAPB for Mumbai Eye Care Campaign


PLANS FOR 2009:

1. Partnership with Government of Andhra Pradesh and HMRI 104 Mobile Unit for integration of eye health in Fixed Day Health Scheme across the state with pilot in Vizag region through Sankar Foundation.
2. Supporting advocacy resource centre and disability forum by Organization for Rural Reconstruction (ORRC) in partnership with district administration.
3. Collaboration with Regional Eye Hospital, Vishkhapatnam for supporting teleophthalmology project in Vizag region through Rotary Netra Eye Hospital.
4. Project on low vision with Sankara Eye Hospital, Chennai hospital partners through Lotus College of Optometry, Mumbai
5. Priority and emphasis on advocacy based projects in community programmes on rehabilitation and education.
6. Support National Association for the Blind, Karnataka for employability training of visually impaired girls.
7. Launching atleast two assistive technology projects in SIAO.
8. To initiate partnership with atleast one BPO/DPO in each state of SIAO.
9. Forging linkages with SSA in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
10.District level project in the Nilgiris in collaboration with tea estates by Centre for Rural and Tribal Development (CTRD).
11.Harnessing alliance with UDIS under the mentorship of Dr M.N.G. Mani, Secretary General, ICEVI.
12. Capacity building and training for District Programme Managers of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
13.Organizing CBR conference to share the different models in collaboration with National Institute for Visually Handicapped, Action Aid, Holy Cross Hospital, Sense International and Blind's People Association.
14.Launch of Vidarbha Network with participation of partners like Anandvan, SEARCH and Mahatme Eye Hospital, NAB along with Government.
15.ROP and Low Vision projects with one partner each in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
16.District level Paediatric eye care project involving ICDS in Maharashtra
17.Initiating and strengthening the North Maharashtra Comprehensive Eye Services (CES)network
18.Two new Comprehensive Paediatric CES projects in Karnataka
19.Educating corporates through “Demystifying blindness” presentation bursting myths and misconceptions on blindness.
20. Promoting partners for publications of case studies at national and international forums.
21. Launching newsletters from APPLE and EYE project in Kerala and Tamilnadu respectively.

Miles we walked together at SIAO : Jan to Dec 2008

Dear All,

Wish you a very happy and prosperous new year 2009.

The greetings are belated...well they are timely considering the standard deviation of party hangovers and leaves !!!

No matter what your resoultion is I can guess one for sure. That is to regularly update yourself with SAMVAAD and drop in comments. As inevitable part of my reflex action I am introspecting an interesting journey from January to December on SIAO Airlines.

The flight which took off from SIAO on Jan 2008 witnessed a journey of innovation, excitement, learning and growth. The first quarter saw two pilots Nishta and Govind joining other airlines leaving behind master Pilot Shrinivas and ground administrator Kalpana.

It was quarter 2 and the cock pit was infused with young blood (read asst. pilots) on our flight. Now with 1 + 3 (Rajesh, Ketan, Shweta) pilots we desperately needed a manager...and here comes Sabitra. With this master pilot took sigh of relief and suddenly we can hear the speedometer breaking down. What made that speedo meter scream you may like to read by next blog of Jan.

As the flight took off again, we were served with a salad of new projects, models, events garnished with fresh mint ideas in the packet of inflight entertainment. The magazine on resource mobilization and collaboration was not at all complimentary. Oh! it was not Kingfisher afterall! Later realized that was the idea. And I tell you the welcome drink has some high power ingredients...which stimulated all the passengers to think out of the box...no no no none tried peeping out of window...Come on! Did I said, the samosas from Astha Restaurant was the driving force for Bala to join in our flight.

The breeze of freshness came with the new mission and vision statements followed by inclusion of disability at broader level with focus on blindness elimiation and rehabilitation programmes.

Quarter 3 and 4 saw a launch of 15 new projects, 4 new partners and 10 potential organizations being assessed for partnership. Through out the journey whenever the fuel prices soared sky high, flight did halted to take in TMG fuel (Training, Motivation and Guidance) from SIAO base station (Regional Office).

Thanks would fall inadequate to convey SIAO's regard to its partners, consultants, guides and mentors in making my...our flight so joyful.

Finally the 2008 journey came to an end or its just the beginning of another one...2009.

Till then ciao! And dont miss your resolution this year.


Regards,
M o d e r a t o r