07.11.2016, Mumbai: Over 150 hearing impaired persons protested outside the National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped (NIHH), Bandra demanding courses to be designed keeping them in mind and for efforts for their employment.
They said that the courses were neither vocational in nature nor were they taught in sign language. “The courses are such that the hearing impaired cannot enroll for them, then what is the point?” asked Punit Gustav who advocates for Indian Deaf Society.
“This is only serving as a place to get a disability certificate, a referral, therapy or hearing aid,” he added.
While the institute does run a computer course, they said the placement is not active. “We want the people among us to be employed here. They have people working on contract at the institute who are not disabled. At least they can let us run the canteen or work in security,” one said.
They pointed out that though the Persons With Disabilities (PWD) Act provides for 3 percent reservation in education and jobs for the disabled, most are not able to qualify for these as they are not educated. “The NGO sector is doing a lot, but a government institute like this one is doing nothing,” they said.
“Modi’s Skill India should be applicable for us also, why can’t they offer vocational courses like mobile repairing and tailoring,” asked Riteish Modi, executive member of the society.
This was the fifth time this year that they were protesting. “Though the institute was founded for education, employment and research for the hearing impaired and is getting grants for the purpose, it is being of no benefit to the community,” said Umakant Ray from the advocacy team.
“These people are being exploited since they are not educated. The maximum they become is a waiter at some posh coffee shop. Most have to do odd jobs,” he added.
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