January to March

Rural Eye Health – Netra Vasant Programme

State of Assam

• Assam Assessment: A team was formed to assess the situation of the state of Assam (districts covered Darrang, Udalguri, Baska and Hailakandi). The objective was to understand the district profile, demography, ease of programme implementation, infrastructure & HR availability and Govt approach. The due diligence of Silchar Lions Eye Hospital was also completed during the visit.

State of Bihar

• Goh Block of Aurangabad has been declared Cataract Blindness Backlog-Free (CBBF) by the District Health Society of Aurangabad. With support from the State and District authorities and collaborative efforts of the PRI members of Goh Block, an extensive house-to-house survey was conducted. All persons with cataract blindness were identified and taken to a partner hospital in Aurangabad for surgery. After validation of the data of surgery and check by the district authorities, a Letter has been issued by the ACMO of Aurangabad district declaring Goh Blocks as CBBF.

Spot Assessment Study of Patients Operated under SCB Project in Gaya and Samastipur-

• Under the SCB project, a study on the quality of surgical outcomes of patients with cataracts was conducted in the districts of Gaya and Samastipur to determine the quality of visual outcomes after surgery. Optometrists hired under this activity assessed around 700 patients’ post-operative visual acuity.

Patient Satisfaction Study was initiated in Gaya and Samastipur-

• To understand the patients’ experience in the partner hospitals, a study has been initiated in the districts of Gaya and Samastipur. Pilot testing has been completed in two districts.
• Successful completion of donor-supported (Sindhuja-supported REH projects) in March in the districts of Araria, Sitamarhi, Purnea and Nawada
• Two IFP Fellows joined Bihar programme partners. In 2024, Sightsavers India placed fellow Ophthalmologists with the partners NBJK and DORD hospitals. The fellows will contribute to the hospital’s services and ensure that the partner hospitals have full-time Ophthalmologists for regular services.
• 1st Core Committee Meeting of Bihar Eye Health Network was held in January 2024- Eminent member hospitals and ophthalmologists from the State have been inducted into the Committee to advocate for the eye health stakeholders of the State of Bihar.
• Clinical Quality Assessment & Administrative Protocols Assessment of partner hospital DORD was done by Dr. Uday Gajiwala in January to strengthen their hospital systems.

State of Chhattisgarh

• An inclusive eye screening camp was conducted for women SHGs. Free spectacles were distributed, and cataract referrals were made. Orientation was provided for ASHAs on basic eye screening and identification of refractive errors in the community. ASHAs were trained in basic eye screening and referral for visual impairment. Ophthalmic assistants were also trained in delivering community eye care services.
• Free eye screening and spectacles distribution camps were organised in Rajim (Gariaband). A total of 105 OSELF-supported spectacles were distributed to the beneficiaries.
• In a special eye screening camp for the Transgender community, with the support of the Social Welfare Department in Raipur, 46 people were screened, and OSELF-supported spectacles were dispensed.
• On International Women’s Day, with the support of Women and Child Development, a mega eye screening camp was organised in Raipur. A total of 184 spectacles were distributed, benefiting 169 women.
• In Rajnandgaon, two special eye camps were held with the support of BIHAN, SRLM, during which 177 people, including 127 women, were screened.
• The Area Director (AD) visited the SCB-supported REH Program in Rajnandgaon. During his visit, an Annual Review meeting was conducted to discuss program progress. The AD also interacted with the Nodal officer and civil surgeon at the district hospital (DH), discussing the prospects of strengthening government partnerships and increasing cataract surgeries in the DH.
• The PPRL team undertook a Vision Centre study in Kawardha and Balod to monitor VC service quality.

State of Jharkhand

• Renovation of the base hospital OT of Hazaribagh District (High Impact) district led to higher surgery performance from January onwards.
• Glaucoma awareness cum screening camp: Sightsavers India, in collaboration with District Health Department and Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society, organised a Glaucoma awareness cum screening camp at Irga Panchayat Bhavan in Daru Block in Hazaribagh district on the 21st March 2024. A total of 78 people were screened, including 10 People with Disabilities, out of which 04 people were identified with Glaucoma.

State of Madhya Pradesh

• MP Eye Health Program: Under the National Rural Eye Health Programme, a three-year MoU was signed for REH, UEH, and SEH.
• Aranya Jyoti Project: Stakeholders were briefed on project goals, research, and operationalisation in Bandhavgarh.
• With the collaboration of ward councillors and social workers and the team’s help, 85 patients were screened, 18 of whom were suspected of raised IOP. Six patients underwent Visual field testing through the perimeter for early identification of signs of Glaucoma. The suspected cases were referred to the base hospital for further interventions.
• On International Women’s Day, month-long screening camps were organised in Rajgarh and Sagar districts, Madhya Pradesh. Supported by NRLM Rajgarh, over 150 SHG members and adolescent girls were educated on eye health to increase women’s involvement in early detection and intervention. In Sagar district, sessions were held at Government Hospital Bina to train healthcare workers in identifying eye health issues effectively. With the support of the Government Health Department and Women and Child Development Department, Sagar, 104 ASHAs, 100 Anganwadi Workers, and over 20 other health workers received training in two sessions, focusing on eye screening and healthcare monitoring.

State of Maharashtra

Women-Centric Project in Buldhana District:

• Implementation of a women-centric project commenced in Buldhana district in October 2023. A total of 619 women were screened under this initiative. Among these screenings, 404 women were identified with Uncorrected Refractive Error (URE). 58 of these women were provided with free spectacles. Additionally, 70 women were diagnosed with cataracts during the screenings and were referred to the base hospital for further treatment.

State of Odisha

• Special camps for PwDs- During the first quarter, three cataract screening camps were organised for PwDs in the Golamunda, Rampur, and Koksara blocks of Kalahandi. A total of 84 people with disabilities (PWD) underwent eye examinations at these camps.
• The PPRL team conducted the VC study in selected REH VCs of Odisha’s Anugul and Kalahandi districts.
• Partner Lepra Society celebrated World Glaucoma Week on March 14th to generate awareness and encourage better health-seeking habits among the public, followed by a Continuing Medical Education (CME) program and a quiz competition for school children.
• During National Road Safety Month, partner Kalinga Eye Hospital took proactive measures to enhance public health and safety. Eye screening programs were conducted at Nalco and AIPL offices in Bamur, Angul, on February 5th and 7th, 2024. A total of 101 individuals underwent screening, with 75 receiving free spectacles and 15 benefiting from sight restoration surgery.
• In line with International Women’s Day, partner Kalinga Eye Hospital organised free eye check-ups for women of all ages. Recognising women’s increased vulnerability to certain eye conditions, the hospital provided specialised screenings for conditions associated with hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause, as well as autoimmune diseases. The month-long campaign aimed to raise awareness and facilitate early diagnosis and intervention, thus improving eye health outcomes for women across Dhenkanal.

State of Rajasthan

• The Health department of Nagaur and Sightsavers India participated in the Ayushman Bharat Jhanki competition, where Nayan Drishti Abhiyan was presented, followed by a telehealth demonstration.
• Nayan Dristi Abhiyan’s Successful Month – 12 Camps with a special focus on mine workers and women, where optical distribution reached 51% for females and 47% OPD done.
• Special women-focused camps were organised to increase women’s engagement in the project. The camps visited the MNREGA workplaces and distributed free near-vision optical services.
• Sightsavers India provided free eye checkups & reading glasses to 400 animal caretakers at the National Animal Fair in Nagaur. They were awarded for outstanding service.
• Rohindi Gram Panchayat conducted door-to-door cataract screening for 5688 residents (1145 over 50) in Parvatsar block.
• International Women’s Day was observed in Nagaur and Sirohi districts, both HI districts of Rajasthan. Sensitization meetings with women groups in high-priority blocks of both districts were organized, emphasising the urgent need to address eye health issues in women, gender issues, and MNREGA work.
• Sightsavers India participated in a stakeholder meeting in Sirohi where a group of NGOs met and presented their respective work, exploring collaboration and support to one another in Sirohi.
• The number of women taking eye health services in Sirohi has improved, which resulted from engagement with Women’s Self-Help Groups through RAJEEVIKA, increasing their participation up to 52%.

State of Uttar Pradesh

• Eye camps were conducted under the PRI pilot program. The focus of these camps was to reach the maximum number of individuals.
• An orientation session was organised for vision technicians and community health workers. Participants were equipped with essential knowledge of eye problems, including Retinoblastoma.
• Christian Eye Hospital held six women’s eye camps in Kasganj, where 327 individuals were screened and 56 had cataract surgery. The focus was on reaching women with eye care services.
• Dr Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital held 18 community meetings near their hospital and Sightsavers India’s centres, reaching 278 community members to raise awareness about eye diseases and their treatment.
• During Glaucoma Week, various impactful activities were conducted to raise awareness and promote early detection and treatment of glaucoma. These included Continuing Medical Education sessions, free glaucoma screenings, a public awareness campaign with posters and flyers, a poster competition to engage the community, and a rally emphasising the importance of regular eye check-ups and proactive measures against glaucoma. These efforts made significant strides in educating the public and encouraging proactive steps to safeguard vision health.

State of West Bengal

• The PPRL team in South 24 Parganas conducted the Data Quality Assessment of SCB partner Sundarbans Social Development Centre to check the data quality and provide appropriate support.
• Celebration of Women’s Day at various locations of WB: On the occasion of Women’s Day, multiple inclusive eye health camps were arranged in all three HI districts of West Bengal (Howrah, Alipurduar & South 24 Pgs). PwDs and female participants were mostly the camp attendees. Several awareness campaigns, rally shows, and cultural events have also been held in honour of the day.
• South 24 PGS: On the Occasion of Women’s Day (8th of March), a special programme was organised in 18 VCs. More than 711 persons were screened in a single day, 550 of whom were females. A total of 109 beneficiaries were prescribed spectacles, and 68 women were supported with free spectacles.
• In VMA’s base hospital, Women’s Day was celebrated through free eye screening for all female staff. 41 female staff were screened during the day in the base hospital.
• In Howrah, 82 beneficiaries were screened, of whom 92% were women and 8% were PwDs. In the Alipurduar district, 211 people were screened, 146 patients were prescribed spectacles, and 46 received free spectacles on the same day.
• The district hospital of Canning (South 24 Parganas) was visited to understand the optimum usage of equipment donated by Sightsavers India.
• The PPRL team has conducted the VC study in selected REH VCs of Paschim Midnapore and Kalimpong district.
• The state authority received Sightsavers India’s expertise to create a report on the Community-Based Blindness and Low Vision declaration of ten districts that the state authority had listed; this report will be published on the state authority’s website shortly.
• As part of the India Fellowship initiative, two ophthalmologists have been placed at the Bankura Lion’s Eye Hospital in Bankura and the Jamalpur Lion’s Eye Hospital in Purba Bardhaman district.

Urban Eye Health Programme

Key Highlights

State of Bihar

• Free spectacles distribution supported by Essilor presbyopic spectacles was done among the community members (457 slum dwellers were provided spectacles). Among the beneficiaries, 60% of them were women who received free spectacles.
• Celebration of Women’s Day in UEH—To increase women’s footfall in the eye OPD and encourage women to get eye examinations, seven outreach camps were conducted, and identified women beneficiaries were provided with free spectacles.

State of Gujarat
Expansion into Gujarat for Urban Eye Health Strategy:

• Gujarat has been included in the urban eye health strategy implementation area.
• A mobile vision centre was launched in Ahmedabad on March 8, 2024, marking the beginning of the expansion into Gujarat.

State of Jharkhand

• Screening camps on International Women’s Day: Special vision screening camps were organised at Vision Centres on International Women’s Day 2024 on 8th March under the Urban Eye Health Project

State of Madhya Pradesh

• On Republic Day 2024, the District Health Society of the Madhya Pradesh Government recognised the Urban Eye Health program in Bhopal for Its Eye Health interventions.
• Special camps for senior citizens are organised, where screening is conducted, and cataract cases are referred to the base hospital.
• Collaborated with the IAS Wives’ Association for an eye check-up camp, where individuals screened were provided with spectacles and referred for cataract surgery.
• Held a special camp with Vridhmitra for seniors, screening individuals, providing spectacles, and referring them for cataract surgery.
• Organized camps with various NGOs.
• Under the Amrita Drishti Urban Eye Health Programme, Glaucoma Awareness Week was celebrated from 10th to 16th March 2024. Collaborated with the district health society and organised two Glaucoma screening camps. These camps aimed to provide free eye screenings to the community to detect signs of glaucoma at an early stage. By raising awareness about glaucoma and its risk factors, we seek to empower individuals to take proactive steps towards preserving their vision. Collaboration with the district health society and government primary health facilities screened 102 patients, including 42 males and 60 females.
• Eye camp at NHM in collaboration with District Health Society: The District Health Society organised a health checkup camp for their team members at the NHM office campus. Sightsavers India’s partner supported eye checkups through a mobile eye health unit in this camp. A total screening was conducted for 92 persons, of which 63 were found with uncorrected refractive error, and one person identified with cataracts was referred to the base hospital for surgery.
• On Women’s Day 2024, with the support of 2.5 NVG, two camps were organised specifically for women residing in Bhopal city’s vulnerable pockets. The first camp was organised on March 6th, 24, at Garib Nagar slum and on March 13th, 24, at Indra Nagar slum. A total of 253 beneficiaries were screened, of which 170 were dispensed with spectacles. 27 of them were identified with cataracts and referred to the base hospital.

State of Maharashtra

Mega Eye Camp Collaboration with Civil Hospital, Pune

• A collaborative effort with the Civil Hospital of Pune led to organising a mega eye camp, which offered comprehensive health check-ups. Eye health examinations were an integral component of this camp. A total of 1397 individuals underwent screenings for various eye ailments. 625 patients received vision correction spectacles. Additionally, 55 patients were diagnosed with cataracts and were referred to the base hospital for further treatment, ensuring timely intervention and care.

State of Odisha

• A Glaucoma screening camp was held at Phuleswari Basti on 18th March. Patients received one-on-one counselling sessions about their eye health, followed by check-ups of their eye pressure and sugar levels, comprehensive eye examinations with Non-Contact Tonometry (NCT) to measure eye pressure, vision tests, and fundus photography. In total, 31 patients underwent glaucoma screening, with no suspected cases detected.
• In January 2024, the Urban Eye Health team of LEPRA Society organized a successful Anti-Leprosy Day event in Gandhipalli, Cuttack, to generate leprosy awareness. A total of 72 participants underwent Outpatient Department (OPD) check-ups, with 69 being leprosy-affected individuals.

State of Rajasthan

• Eye checkups were conducted for 23 people with disabilities in Jaipur who are members of APNO Sansthan, an organisation for people with disabilities.
• International Women’s Day was observed in Jaipur, where awareness of eye health and its importance was discussed among women groups in a school inside the community of slum areas. A drawing and mehendi competitions were organised for girls and women, respectively. This generated interesting conversation about eye health and helped spread awareness in the community.

State of Tamil Nadu

Renewal of Permission for Eye Examination Camps in Chennai:

• The Police Commissioner of Chennai has renewed the permission letter to conduct eye examination camps in urban Chennai.

State of Uttar Pradesh

• In February, 777 individuals were screened in 24 camps. 502 people were identified with Refractive Errors. They were prescribed spectacles, while 106 people were referred to the Base Hospital for suspicion of having cataracts for further evaluation.

Expansion of SCGBS-Supported Projects:

• Two Vision Centres (VC) integrated in Urban Primary Health Centers (UPHCs) were initiated in Bangalore from January 2024. Shraddha Eye Care Trust has been onboarded to execute the project.

International Women’s Day Commemoration:

• An eye screening camp was organised in Bangalore on March 8th for community mobilisers such as U-ASHA workers and Community Health Workers. 40 individuals received free eye screenings during this event, aimed at raising awareness about the importance of regular eye check-ups.
• In Hyderabad, Sightsavers India, along with the chairman of the implementing partner, held a meeting to appreciate the efforts of women in maintaining a work-life balance and bringing positive changes to people’s lives. The hospital reaffirmed its commitment to providing equal opportunities to women staff members.

School Eye Health

Key Highlights

State of Jharkhand

• Orientation & Education Session: In collaboration with the Education Department, Sightsavers India organised an orientation and education session on eye health for children under the Vidyajyoti School Eye Health Project in Ramgarh. The session aimed to generate awareness, ensure spectacle compliance, understand eye health issues, and create eye care champions at the school level. A total of 25 such events were organised during the period from January to March 2024 in the Ramgarh District of Jharkhand.

State of Odisha

• On February 14, 2024, a Stakeholder meeting for the school eye health program took place in Junagarh (Lepra Society) with officials from the Health and Education Departments. Discussions were held on Sightsavers India’s collaborative efforts with the Departments in the eye health program.
• Two meetings were organized with School Management Committee (SMC) members, with 33 SMC members participating. The meetings focused on generating awareness and informing communities about the school’s eye health program and its role.

State of Rajasthan

• On Republic Day, Sightsavers India received an award from the District Administration for its Vidyajyoti School Eye Health program in Pratapgarh. The successful demonstration of this project led to the district administration adopting the approach under its innovations project, which was named ‘Mission Drishti’.
• The District Collector of Pratapgarh has prioritised Sightsavers India’s SEH programme and personally monitors the project’s progress. She has visited several refraction camps and instructed the health department and all schoolteachers to extend full support to Sightsavers India and its implementing partner, Gomabai.
• Baxter-supported SEH program in Alwar developed eye health corridors in 50 schools to raise awareness among students and teachers.

Trucker’s Eye Health Programme:

RAAHI Application:

• The programme launched a new RAAHI software, an advanced version of the old one, to improve the data collection process and integrate the data with Sightsavers India’s overall MIS.

Expansion of the RAAHI Programme in the South:

• The RAAHI programme, focusing on the well-being of truck drivers, underwent expansion in the southern region.
• On March 6, 2024, a new vision centre was inaugurated in Vizag as part of this expansion initiative. The launch of this centre was made possible through the generous support of Cholamandalam.

Programme Performance, Research and Learning

• The International Journal of Medicine and Public Health (IJMPH) published an article on the findings of UP’s urban eye health programme.

Link: https://www.ijcmph.com/index.php/ijcmph/article/view/12167

• Another article on Bridging vision gaps: A comprehensive study of the RAAHI programme for improving Truckers’ eye health in India has been submitted to the Indian Journal of Medicine and Public Health (IJMPH).
• We successfully conducted the VC study and initiated several additional studies, including slum mapping in Bangalore and feasibility assessments in various urban areas, such as Ahmedabad, Baroda, and Surat in Gujarat and Asansol Municipal Corporation in West Bengal.

India Fellowship Program

• Six fellows from the 22nd batch continue to serve in peripheral locations in Hazaribagh, Jhabua, Kalahandi, Kasganj, Rajnandgaon, and Satna. Together, they have achieved a remarkable milestone: surpassing 10,000 surgeries in 15 months.
• Five fellows from the 2023 batch have concluded their Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS) training and have commenced their host postings in districts Aurangabad, Bankura, Gaya, Jamalpur, and Jhabua. Before the transition phase commenced, an interface meeting was convened, including esteemed training mentors, key functionaries, senior surgeons from the host institutions, and the programme team. The purpose of this meeting was to cultivate a cohesive understanding of the fellows’ journey in the next 20 months.
• A self-transformation workshop was organised for the 2023 batch of fellows, led by Dr M. Keshav, Founder and CEO of MANTRA. The workshop was centred around the principles of Responsive, Reflective, and Resilient (RRR) leadership as part of the soft-skills enhancement program for the fellows. While the fellows are at the host locations, monthly engagements are scheduled to inspire their commitment to integrating the RRR leadership tenets into real-life situations.

State of Bihar

• 19 Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in micro-enterprises have been registered in the MSME portal as micro-entrepreneurs to access credit linkages.
• Job Fair: An exclusive job fair was organised in Gaya in collaboration with the Labour and Employment Exchange Department, where 19 PwDs visited for jobs and interacted with employers.
• The Coach model in Gaya has started showing results, with 2 PwDs receiving jobs for their livelihood.
• Credit Linkage of PwDs: 35 Disabled People’s Groups (DPGs) have received credit linkage with a total amount of 3,500,000 INR, 100,000 per DPG. This will ensure the sustainability of DPGs and empower the PwDs to take up livelihood activities.

State of Chhattisgarh

• Technical support was provided to the Social Welfare Department in developing detailed technical proposals and budgets for conducting accessibility audits in all districts and developing a detailed project proposal for establishing a dedicated skills development residential training centre for PwDs in each district.
• Support was provided to SHGs to develop loan proposals for goat farming and farming of medicinal plants and animal husbandry in the Mahasamund district.
• Livelihood training on goat rearing and vegetable farming was organised in GP Patewa and Pithora, where members of SHGs and OPD members were trained in Mahasamund.
• Two PwDs from Pithora block were employed in the food packaging industry in the Urla Industrial area in Raipur.
• In Mahasamund, facilitators visited 41 SHGs to provide handhold support for opening Bank accounts. Additionally, the district team supported the procurement of raw materials, record-keeping, and micro-planning.
• In Mahasamund, 27 PwDs enrolled in the Unnati Divyang Kalyan Sangh federation, bringing the total number of active members to 1653.
• In the Pithora block of Mahasamund, our facilitator supported one PWD in setting up a photocopy machine and a small flour mill.
• In Balodabazaar, a meeting was conducted in Saraipali Block in which 53 PwDs were oriented in the RPWD Act 2016, government schemes, and entitlements.

State of Jharkhand

• The SI team organised a 9-day (5th-13th February) Social Security camp in both Katkamsandi and Daru blocks, during which 88 PwDs registered as beneficiaries under various social security schemes.
• Empowering Livelihoods: Sightsavers India, in collaboration with Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society, organized a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) in Katkamsandi, Daru, and Chouparan Blocks of Hazaribagh District to identify viable trades for entrepreneurial ventures for people with disabilities. A total of 330 people with disabilities participated and were sensitised to the different components of the initiative.
• Facilitation for assistive devices: 67 PwDs across Hazaribagh received aid & appliances under the provision of multiple stakeholders in collaboration with the Social Welfare Department with Sightsavers India.
• District-level Vision Building exercise of OPD members of Divya Jyoti OPD was organised on 15th and 16th March 2024, where 38 OPD leaders and OPD members participated in the training.
• Two Days of State-Level Capacity-Building training of PwDs and OPD leaders on Employability and livelihood opportunities were organised on March 12th and 13th, 2024, at Ranchi. A total of 52 PwDs from 13 districts of Jharkhand participated. The objective was to enable PwDs to take up job and livelihood opportunities to earn a living and a dignified life.

State of Madhya Pradesh

• Organized a joint eye screening camp for SHG PwDs by SRLM & Sightsavers. SRLM requested more camps.
• Visited 13 companies for PwD hiring in Katni, resulting in 2 placements this month.
• Trained 93 new SHG PwDs in trades (jewellery, crafts, agriculture) through the Bajaj SI program & NRLM Raisen & Mandla districts.
• Through the Bajaj SI program in Raisen, 63 PwDs received soft skills training (communication, interviews, etc.).
• Trained 59 SHG members in business planning and loan acquisition with government guidance in Raisen. Sightsavers discussed eye care & PwD inclusion at a meeting on linking government schemes for marginalised communities (SHGs, PwDs, PVTGs).
• OPD is registered under the Madhya Pradesh Society Act.
• The Social Justice Department organised a disability certification camp. Sightsavers India helped with UDID cards and camp setup. They identified PwDs needing devices and issued certificates and UDID cards.
• SHG members trained in paper making & jute bag making for livelihood generation. Also trained for new SHG on micro-planning & business development under the Bajaj-supported SI program.
• A Women’s Gender Committee was formed, and OPD members trained on gender & disability, leading to committee formation.
• PRI member sensitisation workshop done for 96 Panchayat members on PwDs, Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, & government schemes (CEO, Panchayat Inspector, Extension Officer, Sarpanches, Secretaries present).
• Interface meeting in AISECT – A one-day interface meeting was organised in AISECT to sensitise PwDs and solve the practical problems faced in hiring PwDs. Representatives from 12 companies and 17 PWDs were present. 4 PwDs got job offers in 4 different companies during the meeting.
• Trade-based training—To connect the women of self-help groups with employment, 31 women were given training in animal husbandry. Through training, women in SHG were given information about best-breed animals, their diseases, disease prevention, and animal nutrition, along with the schemes provided by the government in animal husbandry. The SHG members were encouraged by the training and promised to take up animal husbandry on a large scale.

Stakeholder Workshop

• The Stakeholder Workshop was organised at Government Hospital Katni to improve support and services for PwDs. Members of the Department of Social Justice, DDRC, Medical Board, NGOs, social workers, and PwDs participated in this workshop.
• Objective of Stakeholder Workshop:

1. To review the existing facilities for PWD.
2. To collect suggestions for the development of new and better services.
3. Promote dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders.

• Main discussion points:

1. Availability of basic facilities for PWD in urban and rural areas.
2. Improvement in education, employment, and health services.
3. Support through technical and digital assistance.

• Under the Bajaj-supported project, a job fair was organised in Raisen and Mandla districts. A two-day awareness generation campaign was conducted before the job fair, resulting in the participation of 65 PwDs, out of which 15 were selected. To ensure PwDs received complete information, the Divyang Prachar Rath spread awareness in approximately 50 shortlisted locations.
• A two-day residential training on Gender Mainstreaming for Women with Disabilities was held in the Mandla district. The training covered topics related to gender equality, inclusivity, empowering each other to advocate for their rights and entitlements, and safeguarding. The training resulted in the formation of a Gender committee within OPD.
• Lepra Society and Sightsavers organised a two-day trade-based (Animal husbandry and Agriculture) residential training for PwDs at Mandla.

State of Odisha

• Job Fair: An exclusive job fair was organized in collaboration with the Department of SSEPD, Government of Odisha, and NCSCDA on 16 February 2024 at NCSCDA Campus, Pokhariput, Bhubaneswar. Out of 117 participants, more than 60 candidates were shortlisted by multiple companies for the second and final rounds of interviews.
• OPD Partnership: Two key members of the OPD partner Samarth attended the State Advisory Board at Lokaseva Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, on February 16, 2024, under the Chairmanship of the Honorable Minister SSEPD.
• As a result of advocacy by OPD leaders from Kalahandi and Gajapati districts, the Government has announced to revise the social security pension (under Madhubabu Pension Yojana) by enhancing Rs 500/—per month per beneficiary (earlier it was 500/—only). OPD members met the Governor of Odisha and submitted their demands to the Chief Secretary of Odisha. They also presented their petition to Sri. V Kartikeyan Pandian, President of the 5T initiative.
• Meaningful engagement of PwD SHGs with ORMAS in District Level Pallishree Mela (14th to 17th January 2024). 2 SHGs from Junagarh and Kesinga sold their products and profited around Rs. 50,000/-. The OPD received felicitation from the District Magistrate cum Collector and certification from ORMAS.
• OPD Partnership update: Two key members of the OPD partner Samarth were invited to attend the State Advisory Board meeting at Odisha Lokaseva Bhawan.
• Entrepreneurial Development Program (EDP) Training: The Entrepreneurial Development Program was conducted at Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi, on February 10, 2024, with 49 PwDs from two economic empowerment blocks, Junagarh and Lanjigarh.
• Participation in International Wheelchair Day Celebration: The Kalahandi district team celebrated International Wheelchair Day on March 1, 2024. The SSEPD Department and the DSSO office observed the event at the district level.

State of Rajasthan

• Successfully advocated with the State Rural Livelihood Mission and incorporated INR 1.12 crores in the 2024-25 budget, exceeding last year’s budget by more than 6 times.
• In Dungarpur, one DPG received a Community Investment Fund of INR 1.5 lakhs, and two DPGs received a Revolving Fund of INR 15,000 each.
• In Dungarpur, successfully engaged with the Social Justice and Empowerment department and organised medical assessment camps in all 10 blocks of Dungarpur district, resulting in 1450 persons with disabilities getting disability certificates.
• Under the saturation process for social security to PwDs, field volunteers named Divyang Mitra supported 58 PwDs in certification, 28 PwDs in receiving disability pensions, and RRPs supported 21 PwDs in certification in Dungarpur.
• In Dungarpur, RRPs have formed 14 DPGs with a membership base of 75 persons with disabilities, of which bank accounts have been opened for 9 DPGs. So far, 24 DPGs have applied for T1 funds.
• PRI members of Dungarpur’s economic empowerment blocks received capacity-building training on disability inclusion to support the project’s goal of linking persons with disabilities with social security schemes.
• Under the Bajaj-supported SI program of Pratapgarh, 20 APNO members were trained as master trainers on the RPWD Act 2016, who further trained PwDs in their gram panchayats.
• With the support of Vrinchi Development Services, we completed the verification of 5316 persons with disabilities in Pratapgarh’s economic empowerment blocks, facilitating their access to social security and livelihood opportunities.
• In Pratapgarh, an Access Audit of the SJE department, District Collectorate, SP office, and an election polling booth to make it into a model booth upon the request of the District Collector was conducted with a team of certified access auditor and APNO members.
• Trained 52 local service providers, such as E-mitras in Pratapgarh, to support persons with disabilities in using all government social security schemes.
• Trained and deployed 26 Rehabilitation Resource Persons (RRPs) to form and strengthen the Disabled Peoples’ Group (PwD SHG) in the economic empowerment blocks of Pratapgarh.
• Organized Nukad Natak in one of the EE blocks of Pratapgarh to raise awareness of disabilities and government schemes, with participation from around 180 individuals.
• APNO Board members presented 17-point recommendations to the Commissioner to Government, Directorate of Especially Abled Persons in Jaipur, which the official well received.
• Tushita Mukherjee, a trainer, provided the next level of gender sensitivity training to APNO gender committee members and board members. As part of the training, the gender committee members visited public spaces in Jaipur to understand accessibility through the lens of gender and disability.
• Gender committee members visited the Women Empowerment Department, where they interacted with senior officials, raised issues, and gained an understanding of various government schemes designed for women.
• The Rajasthan government honoured Mr Mohan Purohit, the state president of APNO Sansthan, for his excellent work on behalf of persons with disabilities.
• In Pratapgarh district, Ms Durga Meena, a dedicated RRP trained by Sightsavers India for the formation of DPGs, was honoured with a prestigious citation during the Vikas Bharat Sankalp Yatra program for her exceptional efforts in the betterment of persons with disabilities.

State of Uttar Pradesh

• Divyang Jan Foundation & Sightsavers India held a camp for 100+ PwDs and elderly in Unnao. Participants learned about government schemes, rights, and entitlements.
• A session was held to teach pickle & masala production to the PwDs and members of SHGs. The training aimed to empower PwDs through skill acquisition.
• Tricycles were distributed to pre-identified PwDs in Auras & Hilauli blocks with support from local officials.
• Soft Skills training was conducted for PwDs on interview techniques and resume building.
• SHGs (PwDs) were empowered on low-cost businesses (papad making, beekeeping) through microfinance options under SHG Capacity Building.
• Employment & livelihood options for PwDs were explored with government departments & financial institutions in livelihood interface meetings.
• Under the PRI member workshop, 40 PRI members were educated on PwD rights, social schemes, and Sightsavers India’s eye health program.
• PwDs showcased their products in collaboration with the Disability Welfare Department.
• In the month of March in Unnao

1. A total of 296 PWDs benefited from a medical certificate.
2. 283 PWDs benefited from UDID cards.
3. 212 PWDs benefited from assistive devices.
4. 15 PWDs benefited from PM/CM AWAS schemes.

• In collaboration with the disability department, appliance distribution camps were organized in Sumerpur, Sikandarpur Karan, and Ganj Moradabad blocks of Unnao district. OPD members actively engaged, informing PWDs to participate, providing 200 tricycles, 7 smart canes, and 8 hearing aids to pre-identified recipients. The joyous moments were evident as smiles lit up the faces of PWDs upon receiving these essential appliances.
• One of our OPD members, Mr Sanjay, who is also an SHG member, set up a small shop on the occasion of Holi with the support of our Social Inclusion Programme and earned his first income.
• On 13th March 2024, a comprehensive training session was held for OPD members in Kasganj. The session focused on rights, entitlements, advocacy, gender, and leadership. Led by resource person Mr Sudeep Goyal, 48 PWD members participated.
• On 14th March, OPD members attended a one-day training session on Accessibility Audit and technical support for inclusive Government buildings, conducted by resource person Mr Sudeep Goyal. Subsequently, on 15th March, 40 PWDs participated in the Access Audit of the Collector office. Following the audit, OPD members submitted a comprehensive report with recommendations to the DM for further action.
• From 18th to 21st March 2024, a livelihood training session was conducted in Kasganj, focusing on the art of making costumes of Hindu Gods. Twenty-five PWDs actively participated in this enriching training program.
• Unnao: Distributed 201 tricycles to PwDs in Auras & Hilauli blocks.
• Top of Form

State of West Bengal

• Five block-level OPDs were formed in Howrah district (Amta I & II, Shyampur I & II & Udaynarayanpur blocks), allowing Sightsavers India to operate more intensively in those areas to saturate all the social security benefit schemes among all identified PwDs.
• A video documentary on the lives of PwDs has been jointly produced by WBSRLM & Sightsavers India. Hopefully, the film will be released in May 2024.
• A meeting was held with the State Programme Manager of WBSRLM about PwDs’ involvement in SHG groups, their training in various trades through cooperation with RSETI, and the convergence of SI programs with REH.
• All coaches were trained on using the PP handbook (Project Participants) under the Graduation approach. The Handbook will be used to track all PwDs under their supervision.

State of Chhattisgarh

• Children with special needs, including the visually impaired, visited Raipur’s Science Centre for interactive learning experiences.
• Sightsavers India helped children with visual impairments get disability certificates.
• Participants from aspirational districts were trained in Braille. Certified Visually Impaired (CVI) teachers were trained in using Braille and Daisy players.
• New teachers trained on inclusive techniques for students with special needs.
• Over 22,000 educators & administrators are sensitised on guidelines for facilitating board exams for children with special needs.
• CVI students visited the Raipur Science Center during the exposure visit.
• Supported district-level sports events for CWSN with visually impaired participants.
• Trained Social Animators in creating a safe & supportive environment for CVI children.
• Conducted SMC training for participants (including the headmaster & SMC president) on 21 types of disabilities to promote school accessibility & inclusivity.
• Smartphone keyboard training took place in Nimora, Raipur, in collaboration with M. Junction & Samagra Shiksha. 40 CVIs and 20 BRPs attended the training, which enhanced their writing skills on smartphones and enabled them to take exams using this method.
• In Saraipali, Mahasamund, one-day SMC trainings were organised for HM/Principals, and 46 participants attended the training. The training aimed to sensitise attendees on key topics, including the RPwD Act 2016, the concept of inclusive education, and the role of SMC members. Additionally, support for CVIs at the school level was discussed, along with an examination of educational materials used by CVIs and strategies to address their educational challenges.
• In Mahasamund, our project team reached 28 CVIs to follow up on Braille, smartphones, Daisy players, and laptops and monitored their progress.
• Conducted SMC training sessions in Mahasamund, Pithora, and Saraipali, with 72 participants (Mahasamund, 17 males and 11 females; Saraipali, 12 males and 4 females; and Pithora, 23 males and 5 females).
• Identified and registered new CVIs with the Star App, bringing the total to 111.
• Our team provided support services to 9 CVIs, enabling them to write class X and XII board exams.

State of Jharkhand

• In collaboration with SSA, Hazaribagh, the IE project team oriented 45 SMC members of Katkamsandi block to build their understanding of Inclusive Education & create an effective, accessible environment for children with visual impairments (CVIs) in their respective school premises.
• Braille Day Celebration: In collaboration with SSA, the Education Department celebrated ‘World Braille Day’ on 4th Jan 2024 in both the districts (Deoghar and Hazaribagh) with the theme of Empowering through Inclusion and Diversity where collectively 45 CVIs along with their social animators gathered and actively participated in the organised events at the respective resource centres.
• Sightsavers India, in collaboration with JEPC and Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, organised a Training program for Social Animators on 5 March 2024 in the Deoghar district. The program aimed to empower social animators, parents, and community members to assist children with visual impairments (CVIs) in their educational endeavours.
• Special event on Orientation and distribution of Smart glass: Sightsavers India, in collaboration with Jharkhand Education Project Council and Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, organised a special event on Orientation cum distribution of Smart Glass for CVIs on 19th March 2024 at Hazaribagh. This device will enable visually impaired children to access information in real time.

State of Madhya Pradesh

• Trained 45 government teachers (MTs) on inclusive education and ICT for children with special needs (CWSN) and visually impaired (CVI) students in Raisen.
• Participants from a NISHTHA training program visited the Bhopal BRC to observe CWSN benefiting from resources in Bhopal.
• Sensitized the School Management Committee (SMC) members on inclusive education for CWSN in Katni.
• Conducted screenings for low vision in children and prescribed devices accordingly.
• Held a 4-day training for government teachers on inclusive pedagogy and ICT for teaching visually impaired children. Also, CVIs and their parents were trained on using ICT devices (Daisy player, Smartphone) and curriculum (braille, abacus, cane usage, and daily living skills).
• DIET Katni organised a training session for 30 teachers on including CWSN in the mainstream education system. The training covered topics such as the 21 Types of Disability, Curriculum, Inclusive sports, and Orientation and Mobility.
• Organized regular extra classes for CVI children at the Resource Center Katni to support their exam preparation and provided digital study materials.
• Conducted exposure visits for CWSN children to Jagriti Park and Surmai Park, focusing on their physical and intellectual development.
• Registered 13 children in the Star App and set annual goals based on their current status.
• Provided refresher ICT training for CVIs in DXC-supported IE projects in Alwar, Udaipur, and Pratapgarh, as well as refresher Plus Curriculum training for CVIs in Alwar and Pratapgarh.

State of Odisha

• Participation in DIVERSASIA Workshop: The International Conference on ‘Embracing diversity in ASIA through the adoption of Inclusive Open Practices (DIVERSASIA)’, funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, was organised jointly by the Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar and Nottingham Trent University, UK on 3rd-4th January 2024. The main objective was to address key challenges and present the best practices to be adopted for Inclusive Education.
• Udyam Module: The first draft of the Udyam module is ready for submission to OSEPA (Odisha School Education Programme Authority) for review and further action.
• SPD has accepted the proposal to equip the BRCs with LV devices. Sightsavers India has committed to providing technical support for this. Sightsavers India has also committed to providing technical orientation to Block Resource Persons on utilising low-vision devices at BRCs. It will extend support in its implementation after procuring devices in the respective districts.
• Participated in the Selection Committee meeting to distribute laptops to blind students, organised by OSEPA. As a result, the government has agreed to provide 340 children with visual impairments (CVIs) in grades 9 to 12, with 80% of blind students having laptops. Sightsavers India provided technical input on specifications, and OSEPA procured laptops according to Sightsavers India’s specifications.
• OSEPA distributed 343 laptops to blind students: OSEPA procured the laptops under the STARs project and distributed them to 27 districts of the state.
• Participation in the state-level laptop distribution programme at Blind School: On 15th March 2024, 80 laptops from Khurda district were distributed to children with visual impairments (CVIs) in a State-Level program.

State of Rajasthan

• Renewed the MoU with Rajasthan Council of Secondary Education for the period 2024 to 2028.
• Invited by UNICEF to develop an agenda for a state-level consultation on education innovation for children with disabilities, leading the panel on education of CVIs.
• Conducted master trainer training on Refreshable Braille Display for 19 teachers in Udaipur.
• With support from Toll Group, we provided 18 Smart Glasses to children with visual impairments and conducted orientation sessions on their usefulness.
• Organized exposure visits for 110 CVIs and parents to famous tourist spots in Alwar and Pratapgarh, teaching photography and living skills.
• Conducted low vision assessments of 81 CVIs in Alwar and 56 CVIs in Udaipur, providing Emitra support for online registration and UDID certification.
• Renovated the path outside Alwar’s BRC supported by DXC Technology to improve accessibility for children with disabilities.
• Conducted sensitisation sessions on Adolescent Health and Hygiene for 22 CVIs and social animators in Pratapgarh.
• Provided refresher ICT training for CVIs in DXC-supported IE projects in Alwar, Udaipur, and Pratapgarh, as well as refresher Plus Curriculum training in Alwar and Pratapgarh.
• Provided resource person support to Samagra Shiksha for ICT training of 30 CVIs at the state level.

State of Uttar Pradesh

• Special educators participated in a 3-day training on Inclusive Pedagogy and ICT to improve their skills in creating inclusive learning environments.
• Held a 4-day training program for educators (general teachers, special educators, SRGs) on supporting children with visual impairments (braille, mobility skills, classroom management, ICT devices).
• BRC Expansion: Obtained approval to establish an additional Block Resource Centre (BRC) for Children with Special Needs (CwSN) in Gunjdundawara block.
• From 10th to 19th March, a transformative 10-day laptop training program was conducted in Kasganj for 7 children with visual impairments. The training focused on teaching them to utilise laptops equipped with NVDA software. Following their dedicated participation, each child was provided with a laptop, marking the culmination of this empowering initiative.
• A new BRC has been established in the Gunjdundawara block of Kasganj district, with renovations completed. Scheduled to commence operations in April, the centre will serve as a fun & learning centre for CVIs to attend their regular practice classes.
• MoU Renewals: Secured year-long extension (2024) for eye health program with UP’s National Health Mission. Renewal process underway for inclusive education program.

State of West Bengal

• The West Bengal Team has submitted their Annual Report to Samagra Shiksha Mission (SSM, Howrah), which outlines the accomplishments, obstacles in 2023, and goals for 2024.
• Alcon will support the Inclusive Education Project in Bankura, West Bengal, starting March 1, 2024.
• In collaboration with Samagra Siksha Mission (SSM), a film documentation program was created to showcase the efforts of Sightsavers India. The documentary is scheduled for release shortly.
• Training on mobile practice has been provided to seven students. Two students received training on operating laptops, and five students received training in Braille, Abacus, and Taylor frame practice.
• Self-defense training has been conducted with 20 girl CVIs in Howrah so that they can protect themselves from societal harms.