In a move to prepare special educators to work with people with deafblindness, Sense International India, an NGO, will be launching an online teacher training course.

“There is a need to develop human resources that can address the care, rehabilitation and education of deafblind children and adults. This course has been created to prepare individuals who are willing to provide need based education and services,” said Murray Culshaw, chairperson of Sense International India, while addressing journalists on Wednesday.

The six-month course will be conducted in two sections, from January to June and from July to December. Educators, with Class X and XII qualification can apply. They will be taught the basics on deafblindness, orientation and mobility skills. Members from the NGO’s centres, spread across 22 states, will be reaching out to the prospective candidates.

While the course materials are specifically designed for teachers and rehabilitation professionals, members from the organisation say that it might also be of wider interest to parents, caregivers and professionals working across sectors such as health and social care.

Breaking the stigma

“Many a time, when a child is born deafblind, their parents do not know how to look after them. Some parents end up locking these children inside rooms and are embarrassed by their presence. This has to change,” said Uttam Kumar, head of programme, Sense International India.

The organisation also screened their short film, Hum Hai Na which highlights how imparting vocational training to people with deafblindness can help them get livelihood opportunities and also change the way in which the community views them.

“All they need is the right opportunity, and they too will be successful like us all. We hope this course will help in developing the needs and capacity of every individual child,” said Mr. Murray.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Staff Reporter / Chennai – March 15th, 2018