Nepal Association of the Blind Logo - Two blind peoples are walking at middle of Nepal map. NAB Banner - Samabeshi Loktantrako sarthakata, harkshetra ma distribihin haru ko aniwarya sahabhagita. Nepal Netrahin Sangh. Nepal Association of the Blind (NAB)
     
     
     
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Our Activities

  
 

Awareness and Advocacy

The Nepal Association of the Blind conducts different types of activities to raise awareness about visual impairment and issues of this group of persons. Awareness raising activities are:

  • Workshops and Seminars

  • Meetings

  • delegations

  • press mobilization

  • Counceling

  • Radio programmes

  • rallies & demonstrations

Results of the advocacy efforts of NAB were

  • Ratification of the UN Convention for the Rights of People with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol

  • Job reservation in civil service for people with disabilities

  • Provision of disability pensions

  • Tax exemption

  • Provision of subsidies and allocation of budget on local level for the development of the disability sector

  • Free education for students with visual impairment and other disabilities

  • Regular budget from the government for the Association

Capacity Building Training

NAB regularly offers several types of trainings to build the capacities of office bearers and members of NAB, such as leadership development trainings, office management trainings, proposal and report writing trainings, trainings of trainers (TOT) and Facilitation training.

Computer Training

NAB provides a six months computer and basic secretarial training course to 10 visually impaired S.L.C graduates (school leaving exam after grade 10) every year in order to give them tools for independent study and research. The Association provides a scholarship to the selected students. Initially, the training had been supported by USC Nepal. Later, the project had been continued with the support of Action Aid Nepal from 2004 - 2008. Currently the training is being supported by the Government of Nepal. Till now, 99 SLC graduates have completed the computer course. Many of the trainees are engaging in jobs such as telephone operaters, teachers, freelancers, organization managers, et.

Music Training

Music education is regarded as a competitive profession of the blind. Music training includes singing, instruments and rhythm. This training has been launched in 2001 aiming to develop music professionals among the blind adults. 8 literate and illiterate male and female students receive a scholarship every year. Many of the trained students work as musicians at restaurants, schools etc.

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Vocational Training

NAB conducts vocational trainings like bamboo craft, candle and incense stick making, soap and detergent making, knitting and weaving etc. Currently NAB is running a two months months vocational trainings to produce stools in the central office in Kathmandu. Trainings include daily living skills, mobility/orientation and marketing. The training is provided to visually impaired people from across the country through the branches, as far as possible in gender balance.

Saving and Credit Groups

Saving and Credit groups are formed on district level through orientation training. They are then provided refresher training, saving credit management training and matching fund disbursement. 20 branches have formed at least one saving credit group where more than 350 visually impaired people are engaged as members. The groups help members to practice financial management and find quick help in times of financial needs. At the same time the groups are an opportunity for regular meetings and exchange of experience for visually impaired people in rural areas. The credits disbursed by the saving groups help members to set up small businesses, to pay for education or meet personal needs.

Braille Reading and Writings

The course includes music trainees, vocational trainees and persons who became recently blind due to various causes.

Orientation and Mobility Training

NAB provides orientation and mobility training to music students, computer trainees, vocational trainees, hostel students and recently blind persons to make them able to walk independently.

Support Services

NAB runs a Braille equipment bank in order to supply members with Assistive devices on the basis of "no loss, no gain". The bank includes White Cane, Slate & Stylus, Abacus, Chess Board and other equipments.

Braille Press

NAB has been running the Braille Press since 2000 with the support of NABP. Currently, the press is equipped with Braillo 400, Braillo 200, 4x4 Index and three technical staffs. The press has now become popular in printing of school books for the government. The press also prints reference materials and college text books in English.

Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY) and Audio Cassettes

NAB has been recording the text books on Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY) which permits every one but especially people with visual impairment or print disability to experience a better way to read.

Scholarships

There are about 80-90 blind students who complete high school education yearly. Those students come out of school with great rays of hope of a college education. However, financial constrains often create an obstacle to fulfilling their dreams. NAB has a clear vision that no blind student has to discontinue his/her college education due to the lack of a scholarship. In this connection, NAB/NABP has provided scholarship to visually impaired college students since 1999. Mishri Devi Dhabhadel scholarship fund is also contributing to support the blind for college education which is created by Professor Harsha Narayan Dhabhadel in the memory of his late mother. Likewise Lion Himkanta Sharma Neupane Endowment fund worth Rs. 100,000 has also been established to provide scholarship to visually impaired collage students since 2010. Currently, the women's committee is planning to establish a scholarship fund for visually impaired girls.

Women Empowerment

Gender parity is an important issue at NAB. This association has realized that visually impaired women are lacking behind the visual impaired men. Research shows that the education status, health status, social status and economic status of visually impaired women is very low. The restriction of mobility of visually impaired women creates obstacles for their progress. NAB conducts various programmes aiming to increase their participation and representation within and outside the association and to improve their condition. NAB Women's Committee is a focal unit to deal with the issues of the blind women in particular. The committee organizes sensitization campaigns in the rural districts to make blind women aware of their rights and opportunities. The committee organizes workshops/seminars among the blind women leaders and stakeholders at the National level. The committee also conducts vocational and home management training for their sustainable livelihood. NAB has rolled out a gender policy draft document recently.

The Hostel

As many visually impaired people live in rural areas, they find it difficult to participate in training and education activities. This is why NAB set up a hostel for visually impaired college students and participants in different training programmes such as computer and music training.

The Offset Printing Press

NAB runs an Offset Printing Press since 2003. The purpose of the press is to generate the income for its sustainability. The press is equipped with Heidelberg machines of 20x30 and 13x18, Professional staff and other accessories. The press is useful for printing of Books, Calendars, Magazines, Pamphlets etc.

 

 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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