Discussion details on Deaf Aid Society

Questions asked by Asha volunteers and the responses:
1. You mentioned in the cover letter that you have a BWSSB official estimate and a Water Management Company estimate. Could you please send that to us? We would like to get details on what needs to be built as part of the project.

Answer: They have enclosed an estimate from the Garden City Consultants for the work that needs to be done in the building and an estimate from Sri Giri Engineering Works (Govt Licensed Contractor) who will lay down the water supply connection pipe to the building from the Bangalore Corporation water supply pipe. I will bring these estimates to the meeting.

2. Do you do any tracking of what the children go on to do after graduating from the school? E.g. are there statistics on how many children have gone on to colleges, jobs and further vocational training? This is just for our own information - people here are interested in seeing how successfully hearing impaired children can be integrated into society.

Answer: The school has an active Old Students Association and the Office bearers of this keep the school informed about their activities and the school contacts the students to get to know their future plans through this Association. Students of 10th Std have passed out of the school since 1980. On an average, 10 per year have completed school successfully. Of the 200 graduates, 20 are in vocational training centers (students passed in the last 2 years) 30 are at home (mostly women who are housewives) 15 are doing their college studies 135 are in jobs (banks, Government Offices, private companies, public sector companies) Among the students in jobs, there are about 35 graduates in arts, Computer Science, Commerce and fine arts - they've obtained Bachelor's degrees.

Integration into society would be 100% successful if
i. the deafness is diagnosed within 1st year of child's life
ii. the suitable amplification is provided and maintained throughout the day
iii. parents accept the child, get guidance to bring him up with love and care, support him for his educational, social and physical needs
iv. the peer group, neighbors and family members support him
v. school mates and staff including Principal, understand his difficulties and provide him with special facilities to enable the hearing impaired to cope in school.

The Deaf Aid school is a special school having classes from K.G. to X Std. All students who studied at this school have been well integrated and lead an independent life.

3. How did you pick the vocations you provide training in? You've mentioned pottery, tailoring, printing press work and computer training.

Answer: The students are given pre-vocational training while in school. They are exposed to all trades enabling them to choose the one they are integrated in, after completing school.

4. What is the age group of children attending the school? Are they of regular school going age or are there older children attending younger class
sections?

Answer: Awareness of the existence of educational facilities to hearing impaired has resulted in parents bringing their children for admission at an early age. The age limit for admissions is 3 plus in K.G. This is the age for admission in the KG class in normal schools too. They do not refuse admission for children up to 7 years old.

5. Have you explored other sources for funding this project? E.g. are there government funds available for infrastructural spending of this kind (especially since the government already funds part of the school).

Answer: They have tried with many Organizations. Not succeeded yet. Even though they are partly funded by the Govt, they do not get any financial help for this kind of project.

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