Blind people are generally from all classes.  However due to malnutrition and other factors the prevalence of blindness is more in lower socio economic classes moreover, most blind people do not reside in institutions but they too require assistance in overcoming their difficulties in view of this NAB has set up a department which takes care of these individuals.

HISTORY

NAB established Service Programme Delivery Committee in June 1992 for evolving a definitive policy on dealing with non-institutional blind people.  This committee led to the establishment of the NAB-Department of Client Service and Advocacy.

This department is in a way ‘Gateway’ to the services of NAB.  The department has been instrumental in getting a variety of concession/facilities for the blind. To name a few, facility of a special compartment in the Mumbai Suburban Railway for persons with disabilities, 50% exemption in the Telephone Rental for blind people in the fixed lines of MTNL and BSNL, various concession in the Railway Ticket Fair in both A/c as well as non A/c. Classes etc.

ACTIVITIES

The department has proved very helpful to several blind individual in an around the city of Mumbai.  The Rehabilitation Officer of the Department identifies newly blinded individuals and / or those individuals who have never had exposure to the blind welfare activities. They are then referred to appropriate departments of NAB.

This department which conducted a survey in the tribal belt of Thane District and identified almost 200 blind individuals and undertook rehabilitation activities for them.  Presently NAB Maharashtra Unit is conducting a Community Based Rehabilitation Programme in that area.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The department offers financial help for variety of reasons to blind individuals.  The major causes for which the help is offered include medical assistance, house repair, assistance in the field of education for the blind and /or their children, new avenues of self-employment and any other unforeseeable difficulties.

NEW AVENUES OF SELF EMPLOYMENT

It has been realized over a period of years that getting an employment for the blind is a difficult phenomenon; hence the department has innovated several new avenues of self-employment.

Weighing Scales

We provide weighing scales to blind individuals at ½ the cost. They use them for earning reasonable amount by operating it in elite areas. This neither requires much space nor training.

Other Avenues

We provide sewing machines, popcorn making machines etc., to blind individuals who conduct their business with the support of their family members.  Many blind people have been assisted by us with Mini Flour Mills for conducting self-employment.

We have also provided leather-stitching machine etc., to enable some blind individuals to earn their living.  Besides this, we offer assistance in kind to blind individuals in the form of toys, cutlery items etc., which they sell at various location such as Railway Stations and other places of public movement.

AIDS AND APPLIANCES

The department maintains a regular stock of special aids and appliances which are provided to the blind clients at no profit no loss basis.  At times, these are also given free of cost to deserving clients.

The department has been able to provide such items as Tape Recorder etc., which are necessary for the blind students. 

Disaster  Relief

The department has always acted swiftly to meet the challenges brought about by man-made or natural disaster. At the time of serial bomb blasts of Mumbai in 1993, department helped several individuals to overcome their problems.  Mr. Pradeep Mirani, a Hydraulic Engineer with B.M.C. lost his sight as well as self-confidence, he was also badly injured, however the department helped him overcome his difficulties.

In the Floods of Mumbai 2005, several blind persons were adversely affected, even to the extent of losing their homes and belongings.  The department conducted door-to-door survey and assisted more than 665 individuals to the tune of almost Rs.6.50 lakhs.  Thus the department has always striven to assist the blind clients in their darkest hour.

ADOVCACY

The department has taken up several grievances of the blind clients with appropriate authority and resolved them amicably.  It is only through the intervention of the department that the Hon’ble High Court of Mumbai had reiterated the reservation of jobs for persons with disabilities which has already been provided under the Persons With Disabilities Act.  The department was also active in getting the dummy ballet papers printed in Braille for the benefit of blind voters during the last Vidhan Sabha Elections in Maharashtra.  It has time to time advocated various causes of the blind and in most cases the blind people have benefited.

What You Can Do

1. You can contribute financially for our self-employment ventures
2. You can sponsor special aids and appliances for the blind
3. You may volunteer to assist the blind people in reading, writing, shopping etc.
4. If you are a professional such as Accountant, Lawyer etc., you may offer your professional services to the organization.