Blind Welfare Council - Dahod

Gujarat

Three persons with visual impairment decided to work for the education, rehabilitation and all round welfare of all categories of differently abled. They brought together four more people and started a Trust named Blind Welfare Council. They decided to help the differently abled at every stage of life so that they do not face the hardships that they faced for themselves.

They wanted to ensure that the all differently abled people of Dahod and Panchmahals districts have access to equal opportunities. They wanted to provide these people a good quality of life and participation in the society that respects their rights and dignity.

The founder Yusufi Kapadia says, "I have suffered a lot during my studies and for getting a job, being visually challenged. It is my aim that each and every child or person with disability should get equal opportunity in all fields of life and all his rights be fulfilled. He should live a life at par with any other citizen of the country. Leadership by a person with visual impairment has made a great change in the working of the staff members."

About 150 students with intellectual disabilities, and about 30 students with hearing impairment are being trained for activities of daily living and primary academics since 2002. 1000 children with intellectual disabilities, hearing impairment, visual impairment are trained and educated by the special teachers.

Aids & appliances distributed as per the need like tricycle, wheel chair, crutches, white cane, hearing aids etc - 500

Sudents with intellectual disability, blindness or with locomotor disability are being trained in operating computers - 20

In 2017, Blind welfare council Dahod was awarded the International Excellence award by the Association of Rehab Professional and Allied Services & Para Sports Association Excellent Service to the differently abled.