NAB Sabita and Saradindu Basu Centre for Blind Women(CBW), New Delhi

Genesis

This one of a kind unit of NAB (India) aimed at empowerment and rehabilitation of visually challenged women was established in 2002, on the property donated by late Mr. Saradindu Basu. In the years that followed, the Centre also focused on research in the field of disability and thus the term Disability Studies was added to its name.

The Centre provides unconventional type of training to both educated and uneducated visually challenged women, to help them gain professional skills and get absorbed into the workforce or take up higher education by joining premier Universities or resume career after a huge gap triggered by their disability.

Facilities offered by CBW

• Counseling for women to cope with social and emotional impact of vision loss later in life
• Support for higher education through provision of educational material and special devices through the Adosh Memorial Library; scholarship; volunteer support; and career counseling
• Computer training, access to Internet, scanning, printing and CD writing facilities through the Microsoft Cyber Café for the Blind
• Radio Journalism course; Workshops on theatre, Yoga & fitness and personality development; and researches for the blind through the Manthan Media Art Research Wing
• Literature in audio format through the Round Table Recording Lab
• Radio production and programming course
• Eye and general health check-up camps through service clubs and other voluntary organizations
• Separate well-equipped Hostels for trainees and those employed after training

Training Programs (Long-Term)

Basic and Advanced Computer Training: 

Visually challenged girls who take up this NIIT affiliated course facilitated by ERNET, Ministry of Information Technology, Government of India, receive DOEACC certification. This qualification not only helps them in higher studies but also to get job- ready.

Handicraft Course: 

This course equips visually challenged girls uninterested in higher education, with skills in making a variety of articles like designer envelopes, candles, decorative festivals products, silk pouches and jute bags, baskets for chocolates and dry fruits, corporate gifts/stationery, chocolates etc. The training duration is six months – initial three-month devoted to learning the trades followed by undertaking outsourced jobs, supplemented with a stipend.

On-job Employability Training:

Intended for self-growth and improving/increasing employability as well as sustaining employment, this course imparts general employability skills that prepare visually challenged girls to cope with the ever-increasing profession-related pressures, tackle safety concerns and adjust to the present-day competitive atmosphere. Depending on their capacities and interests, during this three-month course the trainees also go through employment-oriented ancillary training in real work conditions, where they are familiarized with various aspects of front-desk reception activities, administration and coordination, supervision, and providing teaching assistance at courses run by CBW.

Therapeutic Massage Training: 

This six-month training course for literate/semi literate visually challenged girls was started in collaboration with the Shahnaz Hussain beauty salon chain. CBW has set up in its premises a Therapeutic Massage Unit to train 50-100 visually challenged girls, annually.

Training Programs (Short-Term)

Training for Computer Educators:

This training that lasts for 10-15 days equips teachers with skills to teach visually, hearing and physically challenged to operate the computer. CBW has up till now trained around … teachers to train students from about … schools all over India.

Front Desk/Reception Handling:

Involves training in real work situations, at the reception counter and the research wing of CBW. Telephone etiquette while dealing with clients, inter-departmental call transfer, maintaining database of contact details; noting messages on the talking computer; coordinating visits of volunteers; coordinating and networking with partner agencies etc., are the course components. This three-month course accommodates ten students.

Life-skill Training

Started with a view to help visually challenged women become self-reliant, this training involves three-month course in Braille, six-month course in Home-Management and teaching orientation & mobility.

The Braille Course covers Braille Reading and Writing (English and Hindi) – Grade I and II, usage of mathematical aids like Abacus and Taylor Frame.

The Home Management Course is all about essentials of good housekeeping. The training has significantly increased self-esteem levels of the girls, who, besides earning respect in their families, have ably shouldered responsibilities of a home maker after marriage. These girls have also been able to better manage their life as working women who stay in hostels.

Training in Orientation & Mobility

Students of all the courses at CBW are imparted three-month Indoor and Outdoor Mobility Training.

Personality Development Program

This three-month course for all-round development of visually challenged girls include basic and advanced communication in English, grooming, dining etiquette, personal hygiene, confidence-building through theatre activities, Yoga and fitness, sex-education etc., backed by practical experience through Workshops, excursions, exposure visits and so on.