July to September:

Bihar

• The Deloitte team conducted a midterm review of the Rural Eye Health program supported by Standard Chartered Bank in Gaya and Samastipur.
• An inclusive outreach camp for Persons with Disabilities was organised in Gaya, where 50 Persons with disabilities underwent examinations. Seventeen individuals were identified with cataracts and were referred to the base hospital of LNJP.
• Due to an increased patient load and the insufficient availability of ophthalmologists at the District Hospital of Samastipur, Sightsavers India advocated for the placement of an additional ophthalmologist. In July 2023, a new ophthalmologist was posted in DH.
• In September 2023, the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) team examined 255 children for eye ailments in various Vision Centres (VCs) in Samastipur.
• Sightsavers India Team in Bihar initiated the development of SoP for cataract surgeries in the Guru Govind Singh Hospital.
• A Private Vision Centre was established in North Mandiri under the Patna UEH program.

Chhattisgarh

• A successful virtual review was conducted for the project supported by the Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) and being implemented in Rajnandgaon. This project aims to provide eye health-related services to 74,000 beneficiaries over three years. During the review, the Deloitte team appreciated the progress made in the project and had insightful interactions with beneficiaries and stakeholders, including ASHA workers, PRI (Panchayati Raj Institution) members, and representatives from youth groups.

Madhya Pradesh

• Sightsavers India, in collaboration with the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment NPCB & VI in Madhya Pradesh, organised a workshop for fifty ophthalmic surgeons from various districts of Madhya Pradesh. The workshop focused on “Assuring Quality Outcomes in Cataract Surgery.” During the workshop, Sightsavers India presented tools for monitoring quality outcomes and shared high-impact best practices in the field.
• Sightsavers India was invited to participate in a joint review of the NPCB & VI program in Madhya Pradesh. The review meeting, chaired by Ms. Priyanka Das, IAS, Mission Director of NHM, was attended by District Program Managers (DPM) and ophthalmic surgeons from 51 districts. During the review, Sightsavers India had the opportunity to showcase eye health tools and share best practices. Dr. Sandeep Buttan discussed the importance of quality assurance in eye health, particularly in monitoring cataract surgical outcomes. Additionally, the District Eye Health Assessment and High Impact tools were shared and demonstrated to help develop district-level vision plans.
• A block-level mega campaign was conducted to create a cataract backlog-free zone in the high-impact district of Rajgarh. This campaign covered 122 villages across 43 Panchayats, resulting in 784 individuals being identified with bilateral blinding cataracts and receiving surgical treatment.
• In district Rajgarh, 69 government health workers, including ANMs and CHOs, received training on maintaining gender-disaggregated data at government facilities.
• More than 800 frontline workers, including CHOs, ANMs, and ASHA workers, underwent training to identify cataracts and other eye conditions and make referrals. This training occurred in districts Ashok Nagar, Mandla, Raisen, and Katni. To encourage increased participation of women in accessing eye care services, 304 grassroots-level workers and volunteers, including SHG members, were sensitised and oriented toward recognising eye conditions in Rajgarh and Raisen districts.
• Sightsavers India’s rural eye health partner, Jeevan Jyoti Health Services (JJHS), received The Right to Sight India Shri S N Shah Award for Equity. The award recognised JJHS’s efforts in providing comprehensive primary eye care screenings focusing on women and children during the 17th Vision 2020 National Annual Conference.
• Ophthalmic assistants and optometrists from Sightsavers India-supported programs underwent refresher training on refraction skills and essential ophthalmic equipment. The training, conducted by Dr. Hemant Sinha, a former State Program Officer (SPO) in Madhya Pradesh, aimed to enhance their skills in the field.
• A total of 55 children with disabilities and their caregivers residing at an orphanage underwent eye screenings. Among them, 17 received prescription spectacles, and seven children with eye conditions were referred to a base hospital for further treatment.
• During a collaborative event with a local NGO, 127 senior citizens had their eyes checked, and 77 were diagnosed with refractive errors and provided with prescription spectacles. Additionally, 14 individuals identified with cataracts were referred to a base hospital for surgical intervention.
• In a joint effort by Sewa Sadan Eye Hospital, Chirayu Medical College (CMC), and Bhopal Utsav Mela Samity, a camp screened 1,451 slum dwellers in Bhopal. Among them, 95 individuals with refractive errors received prescription spectacles, and 22 people with cataracts underwent surgery at CMC.
• 92 individuals with refractive errors were prescribed and provided with spectacles, and 13 people with cataracts were referred to a base hospital for surgery.
• Collaborative camps with Bhopal Utsav Mela Samiti screened 549 individuals, with 131 diagnosed with cataracts and subsequently referred to a base hospital for surgical treatment.
• Another camp jointly organised by Sewa Sadan Eye Hospital, Chirayu Medical College (CMC), and Bhopal Utsav Mela Samity screened 1,484 slum dwellers in Bhopal. Among them, 317 individuals with refractive errors were provided with prescription spectacles, and 44 people with cataracts underwent surgery at CMC.
• In a special camp for senior citizens, 141 individuals with refractive errors were prescribed and provided with spectacles, while 37 individuals with cataracts were referred to a base hospital for surgery.
• Five collaborative camps with Bhopal Utsav Mela Samiti screened 1,264 individuals, with 273 identified as having cataracts and referred to a base hospital for surgical intervention.
• An outreach camp organised at LNCP College on World Pharmacy Day conducted eye screenings for 288 students and staff members. Out of those screened, 82 individuals with refractive errors were prescribed spectacles.
• 145 government schoolteachers trained in district Raisen. 26 schools were visited to create eye care awareness among children.

Rajasthan

• In the Nagaur High Impact district, our ongoing advocacy efforts with the government have created an online ID in the NPCBVI portal. Nagaur is the first district in Rajasthan to establish such an ID and update cataract surgery data from district hospitals and community health centres where these surgeries are performed. Sightsavers India’s implementing partner staff have successfully updated 1900 cataract surgery records in the portal.
• In Nagaur HI district, comprehensive door-to-door mapping was carried out by ASHAs and field staff from Sightsavers India implementing partner in four panchayats within the high-priority blocks of Parvatsar and Makrana.
• At the Vision 2020 Annual Conference hosted by Gomabai Netralaya, SPL Rajasthan presented Sightsavers India’s initiatives to address unavoidable blindness in Rajasthan through its Social Inclusion and Inclusive Education programs.
• Sightsavers India was invited to the district consultation of the Government’s Vision 2030 Consultation in Nagaur. During this event, various recommendations were shared with the government, including preparing Panchayat-level micro-plans that engage frontline health workers in identifying cases of individuals aged 50 and above and referring them to the nearest secondary and tertiary hospitals for surgeries. Other recommendations included early identification of visual impairments at Anganwadi centres and schools, increasing ASHA cataract referral incentives, and acquiring advanced machinery for government Community Health Centres (CHCs) and district hospitals.
• A mega screening camp was organised in one of the high-priority blocks in Nagaur district, focusing on women. During the camp, 118 women were screened, resulting in the diagnosis of cataracts in 12 women, while 90 women were found to have refractive errors and were provided with free spectacles.
• An awareness session on primary eye care was conducted at a senior secondary school in one of the high-priority blocks of Nagaur district. Approximately 500 students from classes 8th to 12th participated in the sessions, which covered topics such as a basic understanding of cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, refractive errors, nutrition for eye health, treatment options, and information about Sightsavers India’s programs. These sessions were led by the district DPC, Nityanand.
• A district-level consultation was organised in the Sirohi district with the health department, where the Block Chief Medical Officers from three blocks pledged their support for mapping and saturating the blocks for cataract interventions.
• Jawahar Nagar Vision Centre under Amrita Drishti programme in Jaipur has taken a leap towards financial sustainability. The income generated by the vision centre, primarily from spectacle sales, has enabled the purchase of a second-hand auto-refractometer. This critical step has started attracting more patients to the vision centre.
• Efforts to revitalise the Mahila Arogya Samiti (MAS) members in Jaipur urban have been undertaken this year. 96 MAS members received training in primary eye health, specifically identifying cataracts and refractive errors and referring individuals to vision centres. This training initiative also involved 73 community volunteers and 30 Urban ASHAs.

Uttar Pradesh

• Sightsavers India participated in and presented at the partner forum meeting organised by the National Health Mission. This meeting was chaired by the Managing Director of NHM and was attended by various development agencies that work extensively in the health sector.
• A Skill Development Training program was conducted for 20 government ophthalmic and para-ophthalmic staff in Unnao. They received orientation on vital clinical concepts, the implementation of guidelines, thorough eye examinations, patient counselling, the importance of community participation, and optical management.
• Dr Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital initiated a “My Village is My Responsibility” campaign in Lakhimpur Khiri and Shahjahanpur. This campaign involved frequent meetings with village heads, ASHA workers, Aanganwadi workers, Block Chief Officers, and leaders of women’s groups. They were all trained to raise awareness about eye health ailments, diseases, and available eye healthcare services.
• Awareness and promotional initiatives were organised during National Nutrition Week, focusing on gender and equity in eye care coverage in Kanpur Dehat. The aim was to emphasise the significance of a nutritious diet in maintaining good eye health. 62 women participated in the session and enthusiastically pledged to disseminate this vital information within their communities.
• An awareness session was organised for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) members in Sitapur. The session covered topics related to eye diseases, available treatment services, the referral process to Vision Centres (VCs), base hospitals, and eye camps. The PRI members were also educated about government schemes such as RBSK (Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram) and Ayushman Bharat. 59 PRI members participated in this training, enhancing their understanding of eye healthcare and related services.
• Sightsavers India’s partner, Dr Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, was honoured as the top performer in surgery under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme in the Kheri district. They were recognised for their exceptional contribution to quality services and their pivotal role in advancing eye care in the district.
• The first eye screening camp conducted under the PRI initiative of Sightsavers India was organised in Kendi Gram Panchayat of Kasganj district. During the camp, 164 individuals were screened, with 45 individuals identified with refractive errors and 25 with cataracts referred to the base hospital. Notably, the Gram Panchayat and ward members raised awareness about this camp, resulting in the community’s positive and robust response. Top of Form
• Camps were organised for tannery workers, government school staff, and children in collaboration with the Society for Labour Development and Rotary Club. A total of 115 individuals were screened, of which 62 were identified with refractive errors and provided with free spectacles. Additionally, two individuals identified with cataracts were referred to the base hospital and underwent cataract surgery.
• A special camp was conducted in collaboration with Apradh Mukt Samajik Chikitsa Samiti (AMSCS) in the Children’s Prison. A health talk was delivered on “Common eye ailments in children and prevention from conjunctivitis.” 114 individuals were screened, with 47 identified with refractive errors.
• A special camp was organised during Women’s Equality Day Week to promote the health and well-being of women. Fifty women were screened, and seven of them were provided with spectacles.

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Jharkhand

• A special eye health education session was organised for the Eye Care Champions group at K.G.B.V Ramgarh and Mandu. Children were trained on eye health components and spectacles compliance through games and innovative methods.
• Various advocacy meetings on CBBF initiatives and accessibility at eye care units were organised with the Health Department in Dumka, Ramgarh, and Hazaribagh districts from July to September 2023.
• A special event for stakeholders mapping and formation of a stakeholder’s network (agenda-CBBF, for DR & Glaucoma initiative) was organised on July 19, 2023, in Hazaribagh, with 32 representatives from various government departments, NGOs, and Organisation of Persons with Disabilities leaders participating.
• A training event on gender mainstreaming and disability inclusion took place on August 19, 2023, in Aranya Vihar, Hazaribagh, where 60 community health volunteers were trained.
• An access audit team was formed, and audits were conducted for two major eye health service facilities in the Hazaribagh district during the third quarter of 2023.
• A state-level meeting was organised by the Urban Health Mission, Ranchi, on September 4, 2023, to strengthen the eye health system in slum locations.
• A special eye screening camp was organised for older adults residing at the Old Aged Home in Hazaribagh on July 30, 2023

Odisha

• A stakeholder meeting on Rehabilitation and Special Education for the Hearing Impaired (REH & SEH) aimed to provide an update on Sightsavers India’s ongoing activities and seek support from private and government organisations.
• A one-day master training program was organised for 40 teachers, translating IEC materials related to the School Screening kit into the Odia language to ensure accessibility and comprehensibility within the local community.
• In the Keonjhar district, a special screening program was conducted for the Juanga community in the Banspal Block, resulting in 65 individuals undergoing screenings and seven patients receiving essential eye surgeries.
• LVPEI conducted a collaborative meeting and community talk on eye health with Community Health Volunteers in Patna on July 19, 2023.
• In partnership with VIKASH under the National Urban Livelihood Mission and supported by Sightsavers India, LEPRA Society organised an eye camp on August 21, 2023, for urban elderly and homeless individuals in the Ashok Nagar area of Bhubaneswar. Forty-two beneficiaries received comprehensive eye assessments.
• On September 27, 2023, LEPRA Society, supported by Sightsavers India, conducted an eye health training event at Pokhariput UPHC in Bhubaneswar, educating 44 Health Functionaries and Community Leaders.
• Sightsavers India, along with LEPRA Society, organised an eye care camp at the Bhimpur Old Age Home in Bhubaneswar on September 25, 2023, to provide comprehensive eye health services to elderly residents, focusing on screening for refractive errors and Diabetic Retinopathy (DR).

West Bengal

• The Freedom from Blindness Campaign was organised in 13 intervening districts, resulting in 4473 elderly Self Help Group (SHG) members being screened, 1127 persons receiving spectacles, and 851 persons referred for cataract surgery. The Panchayat Department sanctioned 10,000 INR for each camp.
• CBBF declarations for Falakata and Kumargram blocks of Alipurduar district occurred on August 17th and 18th, 2023.
• George Kwemoi, Strategy MEL Manager (LAMP) from Sightsavers India Kenya, visited various projects in Howrah to understand the data management system of Sightsavers India and its partners.
• The Deloitte team conducted a midterm review of the Standard Chartered Bank-supported Rural Eye Health programme in South 24 Parganas.
• The first interface meeting of the West Bengal Eye Health Core Committee was held at the State Office of NPCB to improve the eye health scenario in West Bengal.
• The State conducted training for all DPMs under NPCB and VI. Sightsavers India was invited to lead a session on ‘Monitoring a Quality Blindness Programme in a District – The Role of DPMs.’
• A Sight First Eye Health Conclave was organised in Bankura in collaboration with Bankura Lions to discuss the eye health scenario in Bankura and develop strategies for intensive work throughout the district.
• The West Bengal team plans to exit its program from Kolkata Municipality in 2024. Therefore, a DEHAT Study was conducted in Asansol Municipality, Paschim Bardhaman District, to assess the existing government facilities and analyse the areas where Sightsavers India can implement its UEH program.

Bihar

• To provide hands-on support to persons with disabilities (Persons with disabilities), 24 coaches have been equipped with the principles of the graduation approach, clarifying their roles and the support they will provide to fellow Persons with disabilities.
• Persons with disabilities actively participated in a job fair organised by the Gaya Labour and Employment Exchange Department. This two-day event saw the participation of 12 Persons with disabilities, providing them with opportunities for potential employment.
• Sightsavers India arranged an interface meeting for Persons with Disabilities to engage with Youth4Jobs. During this meeting, the Youth4Jobs team educated Persons with Disabilities on various skills and employment opportunities.

Chhattisgarh

• A state-level capacity-building workshop on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 was organised for District Social Security Officers and NGOs receiving grants from the Social Welfare Department. The workshop saw the participation of 194 attendees. Mr Sudeep Goyal, a certified accessibility auditor, elucidated the key provisions and objectives of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2016. He focused on the legal framework and the rights guaranteed to persons with disabilities, including accessibility and universal design. Moreover, he discussed guidelines and best practices for creating accessible environments.
• The Secretary and Director of the Social Welfare Department, Government of Chhattisgarh, officially released a booklet on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016. This booklet, developed in collaboration with the Social Welfare Directorate of Chhattisgarh state, represents a significant milestone in our commitment to promoting inclusivity and empowering persons with disabilities in Chhattisgarh.
• An orientation session on accessibility was conducted for government officials from seven departments, including health, education, women and child welfare, social welfare, SRLM, Panchayati Raj, and Rural Engineering Services. OPD members also participated in the orientation, with 35 participants.
• Training sessions were organised for two Self-Help Groups (SHGs) of persons with disabilities based on market analysis of different activities. One group received training in medicinal plantation, a profitable and sustainable way of cultivating and selling herbs and plants with medicinal properties. The training, attended by 36 participants, included 20 women. Another group was trained in goat farming, covering housing design, feeding management, health care, and breeding practices. Participants also learned about various government schemes and services related to goat farming and how to access them.
• Sightsavers India organised a job fair for persons with disabilities in the Mahasamund district. Out of the 113 participants with disabilities, 21 secured placements. Sixteen individuals were employed at a disposable plate making company, two were placed in computer operations, and three were placed in an edible oil manufacturing company in the packaging department. Officials from Gramin Bank were also present at the job fair, providing information to participants about the loan process for initiating enterprises.

Jharkhand

• The District Level Organisation of Persons with Disabilities, known as Divyajyoti, has played a crucial role in facilitating the access audit of health facilities to ensure accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities and the elderly population. During the third quarter of 2023, the team audited a total of eye health facilities.
• To promote the employability campaign and raise awareness among corporations regarding the inclusion of persons with disabilities, the Sightsavers India team, consisting of SPO and SDC, held a meeting with Jindal Steel Plant Limited on July 14, 2023.
• Within the Equal World Campaign framework, Birsa Divyang Samiti in Dumka has taken proactive steps by facilitating and mobilising 4416 people with disabilities to sign the petition.
• A Self-Defense Training program for adolescent girls with visual impairments was conducted in Hazaribagh from August 16th to 21st, 2023, training 16 visually impaired girls.
• On August 20th, the Chairman of the Paralympic Selection Committee of India and the Para Sports Association of Jharkhand President visited the Self-Defence Training program for adolescent girls with visual impairments in Hazaribagh. They expressed their interest in entering into an MoU with Sightsavers India and extending support to identified persons with disabilities by allowing them to participate in District/State/National/International level Paralympics and Para sports.
• An advocacy meeting with the State Election Department of Jharkhand was conducted to promote inclusive and accessible elections in Jharkhand, focusing on ensuring Voter ID cards for eligible persons with disabilities.
• The Chief Election Officer (Cabinet Election) of Jharkhand has recognised and appreciated the efforts and remarkable contributions of Sightsavers India in promoting inclusive and accessible elections in the state.

Madhya Pradesh

• A three-day state training program on “Disability and Financial Inclusion” for Financial Literacy Community Resource Persons (FL CRPs) was conducted jointly with MP SRLM. The training aimed to enhance the financial literacy of FL CRPs and involved 194 participants.
• In district Raisen, 34 OPD members received training in financial literacy, rights, and entitlements, along with monitoring techniques to track the progress of persons with disabilities.
• Forty-four persons with disabilities underwent training in the electrician trade to equip them with livelihood skills and opportunities.
• A total of 110 persons with disabilities were connected with training institutions such as DDUGKY, RSETI, SRLM, NABARD, banks, and other livelihood agencies across four blocks in Mandla district with support from the government.
• Special camps were organised to assist 63 persons with disabilities obtain UDID (Unique Disability ID) cards in the Mandla district.
• In districts Raisen and Mandla, 23 new Special Self-Help Groups (SSHGs) comprised 130 persons with disabilities. These groups are linked with banks and SRLM, with four SSHGs engaged in livelihood activities.
• An OPD member, Mr Mohit Dubey, who received training from the project team in Katni, secured employment on a contract basis with the electricity department, with a monthly remuneration of 11,600 rupees.
• A government scheme assistance saturation camp was organised in ten Gram Panchayats of Katni district, with the participation of 338 persons with disabilities.
• For the first time, persons with disabilities were invited to the Vision 2020 conference to share their experiences in a session focused on managing persons with irreversible blindness and other disabilities in eye health setups.
• The Government of India’s Accessibility Standards for Health Care was released for implementation in Madhya Pradesh by the State Disability Commissioner, making Madhya Pradesh the first state to adopt these standards.
• Priya Keer, a Judo champion from Hoshangabad, represented the Indian women’s blind cricket team at the IBSA World Games in Birmingham, where they defeated Australia in the finals and secured a gold medal.
• Under a Bajaj-supported project, an election awareness campaign for persons with disabilities was conducted in Raisen in collaboration with the District Collector and other government departments. A total of 31 persons with disabilities participated.
• In the Katni district, 18 exclusive groups for persons with disabilities and one inclusive group were formed, including 22 women and 89 men with disabilities.
• In Katni, two SHGs received a Vulnerability Reduction Fund (VRF) of Rs 40,000 each, while one SHG received a Cash Credit Limit (CCL) of Rs 1 lakh 50 thousand. These funds will strengthen their existing dairy and goat farming businesses.
• An OPD member-led government assistance scheme saturation camp was organised in 17-gram panchayats, with 548 persons with disabilities accessing government benefits.
• The Social Security Facilitator in Katni and Mr. Brij Kishore, President of Katni OPD, were selected as members of the district-level monitoring committee for accessible elections.
• The Sightsavers India-supported Katni project team was invited to support an Aids and Appliances distribution camp and train persons with disabilities to receive the appliances. Approximately 217 persons with disabilities were provided with various aids, including wheelchairs, mobiles, motorised cycles, and hearing aids.
• Twenty-one blind and visually impaired girls in Katni district received self-defence training from Bhushan Chavan, a Self-Defence Instructor from Mumbai. The training also included information about girl health, nutrition, women’s rights, and police assistance.
• In collaboration with the State Rural Livelihood Mission, Madhya Pradesh, and Sightsavers India, a spectacle dispensing camp was organised for Self-Help Group (SHG) members supported by OneSight under the project “Addressing URE amongst the marginalised groups to improve their productivity and functional efficiency” in Katni district. 30,000 SHG members across seven districts were screened, and 6,750 spectacles were dispensed during this initiative. District Collector Shri Avi Prasad, SRLM officials, and other local representatives were present during the distribution of spectacles to SHG members.
• In the Raisen district, six new Special Self-Help Groups (SSHGs) were formed, including 26 male persons with disabilities and nine female persons with disabilities.

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Odisha

• Training sessions were conducted as part of the Mission Shakti initiative by the Government of Odisha in the Junagarh Block. These training sessions aimed to introduce 48 participants to the Mission Khyamata for Persons with Disabilities. They provided insights into the procedures for forming Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and clarified the functions and roles of office bearers within these groups.
• A two-day Accessible Audit training was carried out for 38 leaders and members of the Organization for Persons with Disabilities in Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi.
• An entrepreneurial Development Program was organised in collaboration with the SELCO Foundation on August 25, 2023, in Bhawanipatna. This program received 34 applications for the livelihood selection procedure, and the SELCO Foundation provided selected beneficiaries with livelihood assets. During this quarter, three more applicants also received livelihood assets from the SELCO Foundation.
• A significant step toward self-reliance and empowerment of persons with disabilities (Persons with Disabilities) was taken through a Career Counselling program. This program, conducted in collaboration with the District Employment Exchange Office in Bhawani Patna, saw the participation of 43 youths with disabilities. The DEEO personnel played a pivotal role in assisting Persons with disabilities participants in registering for trades aligned with their interests, enhancing their skills.
• The “Equal World” campaign was launched to ensure the proper implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Two organisations of persons with disabilities members led a signature campaign in Gajapati and Kalahandi to gather 2000 signatures by the end of August.

Rajasthan

• A Participatory Gender Workshop was organised for the gender committee members of six district chapters of APNO Sansthan. Multiple methods were employed to facilitate authentic conversations on gender, gender analysis, and the significance of gender equality. Participants gained insights into how to apply this knowledge in their daily work. The workshop fostered healthy and productive dialogues among participants, which have proven beneficial for the Gender Committee’s work.
• Sightsavers India was invited to a Convergence meeting from the State Rural Livelihood Mission (Rajeevika). Rajasthan SPL emphasised several critical points for achieving holistic disability-inclusive development across all sectors. These points included ensuring the availability of specialised doctors at medical assessment camps for persons with disabilities, the importance of disability-disaggregated data across all departments, and the necessity of making all public spaces accessible for persons with disabilities.
• A Management Information System (MIS) was developed in Rajasthan to enable district teams to monitor the progress and efficiency of OPDs and field cadres.
• Through continued advocacy with the State Rural Livelihood Mission, a 7-day training program on Bookkeeping for Rehabilitation Resource Persons (field-level cadre for SHG formation) was initiated in district Dungarpur. All associated costs, including logistics, stationery, and resource persons’ fees, were covered by the State Rural Livelihood Mission. This initiative will be replicated in more districts across the state.
• In economic empowerment blocks of Dungarpur and Pratapgarh districts, 35 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) were formed exclusively for persons with disabilities. Currently, 247 persons with disabilities are members of these SHGs.
• Ongoing advocacy with the State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM) led to the acceptance of a proposal for conducting disability assessment camps in Pratapgarh and Dungarpur districts. SRLM has now incorporated regular medical assessment camps into their plans.
• A medical assessment camp, facilitated with the support of Rajeevika and the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, resulted in 120 persons with disabilities receiving certificates in the Dungarpur district.
• Eight grassroots leaders and 16 Rehabilitation Resource Persons (RRPs) were trained in the Dungarpur district to support the certification process for persons with disabilities. They facilitated the certification of 240 Persons with disabilities through camps and district hospitals.
• Through continued advocacy with district administration in Pratapgarh, posters containing awareness information on 21 types of disabilities and accessibility for persons with disabilities were successfully placed on the walls of 29 Gram Panchayats in the two economic empowerment blocks of Pratapgarh district, Rajasthan.
• APNO Sansthan, a state-level organisation of persons with disabilities in Rajasthan, successfully conducted a financial audit over the past three years and obtained a TAN (Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number), which will facilitate fundraising for their organisation.
• In collaboration with the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, APNO facilitated the application process for the Scooty Yojana for persons with disabilities in seven intervention districts. This effort resulted in the successful distribution of 702 scooters to persons with disabilities in these districts.
• In a significant move toward inclusivity, APNO Sansthan members, along with Government Engineers of the Public Works Department, conducted a detailed access audit of seven crucial public buildings in prominent districts of Rajasthan, including Udaipur, Sirohi, and Dungarpur.
• APNO Sansthan members provided mentoring support to OPDs formed in Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh. They explained the functioning of Rajasthan’s state OPD, the registration process, the journey from district-level OPD to state-level OPD, advocacy strategies, rapport-building with different government officials, and the work of Gender Committees in all the district chapters of APNO.
• OPD members from Balodabazar visited Indira Rasoi, run by women leaders of the Chittorgarh chapter of APNO, to understand how the women members manage the canteens. In collaboration with APNO members, Unnao OPD members visited the offices of political parties and the Disability Commissioner. They gained hands-on experience in independently carrying out government liaison, submitting memoranda for election manifestos, and interacting with top-level officials to provide recommendations for persons with disabilities in welfare schemes, keeping the larger state picture in mind.
• APNO Sansthan is a member of the Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee (DRUCC) of Indian Railways. Mr. Mohan Purohit, President, and Ms. Preeti Taneja, Treasurer of APNO, regularly participate in DRUCC meetings. They shared recommendations to make train travel inclusive and safe for persons with disabilities. Several of these recommendations, including the availability of accessible facilities at stations, reserved seats for persons with disabilities, dedicated disability-exclusive coaches, and accessible ticket counters, have been accepted and appreciated by DRUCC.

Recommendations include designing metro rail and Vande Bharat train doors and aisles to accommodate wheelchairs and provide audio and visual announcements for persons with disabilities.

Uttar Pradesh

• A total of 50 Persons with disabilities actively participated in the job fair, showcasing their skills and talents to potential employers. Among them, 3 Persons with disabilities were gainfully employed. Ten esteemed companies from Kasganj city, including Royal Enfield, Hero MotoCorp, Shree G Trading Company, Shree G Traders, Balaji Textiles, Raj Mobile Communication, Pooja Sweets & Namkeen, Madhur Printing Press, and Baba Mobile Communication participated in the event. The event was graced by Mr. Hemendra Swaroop, the Disability Welfare Officer, and Mr. Siddharth Mittal, the Employment Officer, who encouraged and supported all the participants.
• A two-day livelihood training on Zari Zardozi & Chikan Kari was organised in one of the economic empowerment blocks of district Unnao. Zari Zardozi is the ODOP (One District One Product) of Unnao. A total of 23 Persons with disabilities participated in the training and learned the basic techniques of Zari Zardozi. The trainer shared her entrepreneurial journey and provided advice on starting a business.
• A two-day livelihood training on Dhoop Agarbatti was conducted in Nawabganj in collaboration with UPSRLM. The training had 24 participants.
• Through continuous awareness and advocacy efforts, 10 Persons with disabilities in the Unnao district benefited under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna and received keys to the allotted houses.
• An Accessibility Audit training was organised in the Unnao district, chaired by the Chief Development Officer and the SPARC India team. 20 Persons with disabilities participants attended the training, and accessibility audits of the CMO building and District Disability Welfare Office were conducted during the training.
• Fifty-six women with disabilities received training on Zari Zardosi and cloth printing techniques.
• Twenty-four Persons with disabilities participated in training on financial empowerment, where they learned self-entrepreneurship skills, gained knowledge of government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Swarojgar Yojna and Mudra Loan, understood the importance of savings, and learned about product visibility.
• A total of 57 Persons with disabilities in two economic empowerment blocks of district Unnao received training in two groups: washing powder production and goat farming. Additionally, all participants received guidance on launching businesses, applying for loans, and marketing strategies.
• A two-day exposure and experience-sharing visit was arranged for the governing body members of Unnao OPD and the Unnao SI team to Jaipur, Rajasthan. During this visit, all participants participated in a state-level meeting of APNO, Rajasthan State level OPD. They gained insights into the establishment, history, and the different committees within APNO. Additionally, the participants actively developed a memorandum for political parties, sharing their perspectives on the challenges and requirements of Persons with disabilities. Overall, this visit proved to be an inspiring and informative experience for the members of Unnao OPD and the SI team.
• Through persistent advocacy and awareness efforts in Kasganj district, District Magistrate Ms Harshita Mathur instructed the health and disability welfare departments. These instructions mandate the completion of UDID (Unique Disability Identification) and medical certification for all remaining Persons with Disabilities (Persons with disabilities) in the district. With the District Magistrate’s support for our program’s saturation model, a plan was devised to conduct block-level UDID camps. These camps are carried out closely with the health and disability welfare departments. One centre has already taken place in Soron block, during which the UDID application process was successfully facilitated for 58 Persons with disabilities.
• During the quarter, social security benefits facilitated for Persons with disabilities include:
• 630 disability certificates, 199 UDID cards, pension for 142 Persons with disabilities, and assistive devices for 52 Persons with disabilities in district Kasganj.
• 1403 disability certificates, 912 UDID cards, Ayushman cards for 241 Persons with disabilities, and assistive devices for 51 Persons with disabilities in district Unnao.

West Bengal

• In the Job Fair 2023 organised by the American India Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, 21 Persons with Disabilities (Persons with Disabilities) from Howrah District actively participated.
• A Quarterly Meeting on the Graduation Approach, conducted under the Social Inclusion (SI) program, took place in September.
• Financial Literacy training was carried out in Udang I GP, Howrah, with the participation of 31 Persons with disabilities.
• Gender Diversity training has been provided to 27 members of the Organization for Persons with Disabilities.
• Twelve volunteers have been selected and trained for the social inclusion program. These volunteers will work closely with Sangha members to promote the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (Persons with Disabilities) in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the future.

Teachers Day Celebration

Teacher’s Day was observed in all the intervention districts of Sightsavers India to felicitate and honour government staff and resource teachers for their significant contributions to the education of children with disabilities. This recognition was extended to those who made classroom modifications, dedicated extra time to the children, and even visited their homes to provide education.

• In district Balodabazar, seven special educators and BRPs were honoured by the Block Resource Coordinator and Assistant Block Officer. This marked the first celebration of special educators’ and BRPs’ contributions to inclusive education during Teacher’s Day.
• In district Katni, a tree plantation initiative engaged disabled children in meaningful activities while promoting environmental awareness. A pledge was taken to continue supporting disabled individuals in Katni and contribute to the district’s success.
• In district Udaipur, government resource teachers received recognition in the presence of the ADPC of Samagra Shiksha Udaipur. Sightsavers India’s efforts were acknowledged, and a commitment was made to support teachers and the SMSA in helping Children with visual impairment (children with visual impairments) reach their highest potential in education.
• In district Kasganj, a gathering of 12 children with visual impairments (Children with visual impairment), their parents, special educators, and four general teachers occurred. These teachers expressed their deep appreciation for our program and the training provided, which empowered them to assist Children with visual impairment in their educational journeys effectively.

Chhattisgarh

• Thirty social animators, primarily parents or guardians of visually impaired and low vision children, underwent training on the significance of nurturing their children’s potential through various methods from the Plus Curriculum in their daily lives.
• Sixteen children were equipped with ICT equipment following Sightsavers India’s protocol. Over four days of training, these children learned how to use these devices, enabling them to access textbooks through BookShare.
• Sightsavers India facilitated sessions during the State-level in-service training for B.R.P. (Inclusive Education) and Special Educators, organised by Samagra Shiksha. The training was attended by 180 participants from various districts, where they received orientation on equitable and inclusive education in the context of the National Education Policy 2020 and the use of ICT in smartphones. Detailed discussions about the use of BookShare were also conducted.
• Shri Rajesh Singh Rana, IAS, Director SCERT, Managing Director at Chhattisgarh Textbook Corporation, and Special Secretary in the Department of School Education, visited the Sightsavers India supported resource centre located at the DMC office in district Mahasamund. During his visit, Children with visual impairment demonstrated using braille kits, daisy players, laptops, and mobile phones. He interacted with the Children with visual impairment and their parents, encouraging them to aspire and continue their educational efforts. He commended the dedicated work of Sightsavers India and appreciated the organisation’s close collaboration with the education department. Before his visit, a detailed progress report on Children with visual impairment engaged in Mahasamund and Balodabazar was compiled and submitted to him.
• A two-day general teacher training on inclusive education was conducted in Balodabazar, providing training to 55 teachers.
• A three-day social animators training was organised in Mahasamund, where 30 animators were trained to support the education of children with visual impairment.
• Various trainings were conducted for Children with visual impairment in districts Mahasamund and Balodabazar:
• 16 children with visual impairment participated in a four-day training on ICT devices in Mahasamund.
• 14 Children with visual impairment received braille training during a four-day Balodabazar session.
• 19 Children with visual impairment underwent refresher training on daisy players and smartphones in Balodabazar.
• 20 Children with visual impairment received refresher training on smartphones and daisy players in district Mahasamund.
• 10 Children with visual impairment received refresher training on laptops in the district of Balodabazar.
• In total, 40 Children with visual impairment and their parents were trained on the Plus Curriculum in Mahasamund.

Jharkhand

• On September 23, 2023, the Jharkhand Education Project in Hazaribagh adopted and hosted the Environmental Building Programme at DIET Hazaribagh. This event witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 15 Children with Visual Impairments (Children with visual impairment) in various activities such as dance, singing, arts and crafts, rangoli making, and a quiz competition.
• To nurture more proficient human resources and enhance the capacity of trainers, a comprehensive training initiative was undertaken during the third quarter of 2023. This program consisted of four training sessions for Resource teachers at the state level and two for regular school teachers. 512 teachers underwent this training to further their skills and knowledge.

Madhya Pradesh

• A 3-day state-level training, jointly organised with Rajya Shiksha Kendra in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, trained 117 Mobile Resource Consultants and APCs in classroom teaching methodology for Children with Special Needs (CWSN) in subjects like Maths, Science, Hindi, and Home-based education. Subject experts led the training.
• In addition, 30 Anganwadi workers received orientation on identifying, early intervening, and managing children with disabilities in Anganwadi centres. An action plan was devised to assess all children with special needs in these centres within a month and submit reports to the department.
• In district Katni, 34 social animators underwent training to support the learning of Children with Visual Impairments (CVIs). They were also educated about government schemes benefiting children with special needs.
• 30 general and resource teachers from six blocks in Katni received training in inclusive education, the Plus curriculum, and ICT. This included identifying and understanding the symptoms of 21 types of disabilities, knowledge of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 and using educational devices like Daisy Players and smartphones for the visually impaired. Participants visited the model resource centre at CWSN Hostel as part of their training.
• Braille books were distributed to 47 children across six blocks in Katni district.
• Another group of 30 general and resource teachers from the same six blocks in district Katni were trained on inclusive education, the Plus curriculum, and ICT. They learned about the identification and symptoms of 21 types of disabilities, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, and the use of educational devices like Daisy Players and smartphones for the visually impaired. They also visited the model resource centre at CWSN Hostel.
• In response to a request from the Rajya Shiksha Dept, Madhya Pradesh, technical support for low vision assessment was provided in 20 districts. Sightsavers India supplied 10 Optometrists for the assessment drive, which took place in July-August 23. Approximately 1,400 visually impaired children were assessed for Low Vision.
• A 2-day training on Daisy Players and smartphones was organised at CWSN Hostel Katni. Ten visually impaired children were provided with Daisy Players and received training on their usage. Additionally, they were taught essential daily life skills. A total of 15 CVIs, four parents, and 2 animators were trained on the Daisy Player, and 11 CVIs and 6 parents received training.

Odisha

• The distribution of Braille Kits to 110 Children with Visual Impairments (Children with Visual Impairment) was conducted as part of the Ganjam project in collaboration with Samagra Shiksha.
• Support was provided to Samagra Shiksha in various aspects-
• The establishment of an ICT Lab for students with visual impairment at Bhima Bhoi Vocational and Higher Secondary School for the Blind in Bhubaneswar.
• A meeting was attended by the State Consultant for Inclusive Education at OCAC, Bhubaneswar, on July 15, 2023, to finalise specifications for purchasing laptops for visually impaired students.
• Assistance was extended in organising a one-day workshop to develop a syllabus for the engagement of Special Educators in Odisha. This workshop involved the participation of 12 experts from different fields of inclusive education, special schools, and the disability sector, who collaboratively outlined a syllabus to engage 945 Special Educators in Odisha.
• Children with Visual Impairment received support for higher education, including admission to college for advanced studies and collecting study materials in audio format for Plus Two students, with the involvement of different NGOs such as NIETVD, We for You, and Views.
• Advocacy efforts were made to develop textbooks in EPUB format. The State Consultant of Inclusive Education visited SCERT, where discussions were held regarding developing textbooks in EPUB format.
• An update in the STAR App was completed, covering a total of 486 Children with Visual Impairment (211 from Kalahandi, 155 from Kendujhar, and 182 from Ganjam) by September.
• A Teacher Learning Material (TLM) development workshop was organised at the Ganjam project. This five-day district-level workshop, held from September 11th to 15th, aimed to create no-cost and low-cost inclusive TLM for all 23 Block Resource Centers (BRCs) in the district. A total of 6 Block Resource Persons (BRPs) and 46 teachers participated in the workshop, collectively preparing more than 120 TLMs for the BRCs.
• The Kalahandi project team facilitated a three-day Braille training session at Lanjigarh Block Resource Centre (BRC), covering 20 Children with Visual Impairment and their parents. This program was organised by Samagra Shiksha Kalahandi, with technical support provided by the Sightsavers India Kalahandi district team.

Rajasthan

• Sightsavers India’s Rajasthan State Program Lead was invited to the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Community Ophthalmology at AIIMS to orient their team and partner organisations about Sightsavers India’s Inclusive Education and Social Inclusion programs. The presentation showcased successful convergence efforts with the government and advocacy initiatives in Rajasthan.
• Lokendra Sethi, HR Head of DXC Technology, visited the Inclusive Education Program in Alwar. During his visit, he interacted with several Children with Visual Impairments (CVIs), their parents, and the Model BRC team. Mr. Sethi expressed satisfaction with the progress and suggested potential collaborations with their other educational initiatives.
• Sightsavers India actively participated in the development of Rajasthan Vision 2030, providing valuable suggestions regarding inclusive education, the utilisation of AI, smart and inclusive classrooms, integration of Children With Special Needs (CWSN) into vocational training programs, development of accessible curriculums, prioritisation of early disability identification using simple tools by teachers, timely treatment to reduce disability prevalence and financial burdens on the state, improved quality of devices, school infrastructure accessibility in line with Government of India guidelines, and annual teacher assessments to ensure they are adequately trained and equipped for age-appropriate teaching.
• Sightsavers India was invited to join the core committee responsible for designing and developing technical guidelines, specifications, and procurement of Refreshable Braille Displays (RBD) for training children with visual impairments.
• The Sightsavers India Inclusive Education Program progress was presented to the new Principal Secretary of the Education Department, who reviewed the achievements made under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and appreciated the work.
• The Sightsavers India Inclusive Education Program’s progress under the MoU was also presented at the Rajasthan Education Initiative (REI) Partner’s Review Meeting, attended by the State Education Minister and held in Udaipur.
• In Udaipur, resource teachers were trained as master trainers in preliminary low-vision screening. They will subsequently train schoolteachers. Sightsavers India provided guidelines for screening and database management. Notably, this marks the first time government funds from School Management Committees (SMC) are utilised for school screenings, including preliminary low vision assessments.
• In districts Alwar, Pratapgarh, and Udaipur, a total of 63 CVIs received refresher training on the Plus Curriculum, 10 CVIs on the use of laptops, 49 CVIs on mobile device usage, and 5 CVIs on the use of Daisy Players.
• In districts Alwar and Pratapgarh, 29 Special Education teachers received refresher training as Master Trainers to support general teachers in assisting CVIs with their studies. Additionally, 27 general teachers in district Pratapgarh received refresher training on Inclusive Pedagogy and ICT.
• In Alwar, 31 social animators underwent training to support CVIs in their studies and enhance their understanding of inclusive education. These social animators were thoughtfully selected, primarily consisting of family members of the CVIs in our program, following home visits and discussions.

Uttar Pradesh

• Within the Samgra Shiksha Abhiyan framework, the Sightsavers India team collaborated with the health department and primary education department to organise medical assessment camps for children with special needs (CwSN) in three of the seven blocks within Kasganj district. The remaining four blocks are scheduled to be covered in August. This collaborative effort ensures that no children are left without a disability certificate.
• Sightsavers India’s Inclusive Education (IE) team supported the health and primary education departments in Kasganj to conduct four medical assessment camps for children with special needs, ensuring that every child receives a disability certificate.
• A two-day refresher training on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) devices was conducted at two Block Resource Centres (BRCs) in Kasganj and Gunjdundawara. A total of 40 children participated in this training, led by two trainers from Saksham and IE facilitators. During the training, the children gained practical experience using various ICT devices, including mobile phones, Braille kits, and Daisy players. Notably, some of our senior children with visual impairments (CVIs) assisted junior CVIs in learning how to use these devices, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
• Sightsavers India led the Parent Counselling Program for Children with Special Needs (CwSN), organised by Basic Shiksha across all blocks in Kasganj district. Approximately 50 parents, including those of CVIs, from each block actively participated in this program. The program’s objective was to motivate parents of CwSN, providing insights into their educational needs and available home-based and school-based services, along with the necessary support. This program instilled confidence in parents regarding their children’s academic progress and outlined how they could support their children in improving their educational, environmental, social, and communication skills.

West Bengal

• A four-day teacher training program on Inclusive Pedagogy was successfully conducted in Bankura. This achievement marks the first milestone after securing the Letter of Understanding (LoU) for the next five years.
• SSM, Bankura, has generously allocated space to Sightsavers India to establish a Block Resource Centre (BRC).