DEAFvibe event offers free support for deaf or hard of hearing people in Staffordshire

02.03.2016, DEAF, hard of hearing or deafblind people in need of support are being invited to an event on Friday.

Stoke-on-Trent based charity DEAFvibe will be running the DEAFvibe HUB at Bradwell Lodge Community Centre, in Bradwell Lane, Porthill, from 10am to 3pm.

The HUB is open to everyone who is deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind living in Staffordshire or Stoke-on-Trent as well as family, friends and carers.

The HUB is held on the first and third Friday of every month. The deaf-led charity is staffed by volunteers who understand what it is like to have a hearing loss.

133 மாற்றுத் திறனாளிகளுக்கு பிளஸ் 2 தேர்வு எழுத சலுகை

02.03.2016, கடலுார்:கடலுார் மண்டலத்தில், 68 பார்வையற்றோர் உள்ளிட்ட 133 மாற்றுத் திறனாளிகள் பிளஸ் 2 பொதுத் தேர்வு எழுதவுள்ளனர். இவர்களுக்கு தேர்வு எழுத கூடுதலாக ஒரு மணி நேரம் உள்ளிட்ட சலுகைகள் வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.பிளஸ் 2 பொதுத் தேர்வு, வரும் 4ம் தேதி துவங்கி, ஏப்ரல் 1ம் தேதி வரை நடக்கிறது. இதில், கடலுார் கல்வி மண்டலத்தில் பார்வையற்றோர், காது கேளாதோர், நரம்பு தளர்ச்சி, மனவளர்ச்சி குன்றியோர், மாற்றுத் திறனாளிகள் என, மொத்தம் 133 மாணவ, மாணவியர் இத்தேர்வை எழுதவுள்ளனர். கடலுார் மாவட்டத்தில் 65, விழுப்புரத்தில் 35, புதுச்சேரி மற்றும் காரைக்காலில் 33 பேர் உள்ளனர்.

மண்டலத்தில் பார்வையற்ற 68 பேர் மற்றும் நரம்பு தளர்ச்சி காரணமாக 7 பேருக்கும் இவர்கள் சொல்ல, சொல்ல தேர்வு எழுத 'ஸ்கிரைபர்' நியமிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர்.

காது கேளாத, மனவளர்ச்சி குன்றிய, மாற்றுத் திறனாளி ஆகியோர் தேர்வு எழுத ஒரு மணி நேரம் கூடுதலாகவும், அவர்களில் சிலருக்கு ஆங்கிலம் மற்றும் தமிழ் பாடங்களில் இருந்தும், பிழைகளில் இருந்தும் விலக்கு அளித்து கல்வித்துறை இயக்குனர் உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளார்.

திருப்பூர் காது கேளாதோர் பள்ளி தேசிய செஸ் போட்டிக்கு தேர்வு

02.03.2016, மாநில அளவில் நடந்த சதுரங்கப் போட்டியில், திருப்பூர் காதுகேளாதோர் பள்ளி மாணவ, மாணவியர் வெற்றி பெற்று, தேசியப்போட்டிக்கு தகுதி பெற்றனர்.

மத்தியபிரதேச மாநிலத்தில், 18-வது தேசிய அளவிலான காது கேளாதோருக்கான சதுரங்கப்போட்டி நாளை முதல் முதல் 7-ம் தேதி வரை நடைபெற உள்ளது. தமிழக அணி சார்பில் திருப்பூர், சென்னை, கன்னியாகுமரியை சேர்ந்த 10 வீரர்கள் பங்கேற்கின்றனர். இவர்கள் கடந்த மாதம் சென்னையில் நடைபெற்ற மாநில அளவிலான போட்டி வாயிலாக தேர்வு செய்யப்பட்டனர்.

மாநிலப்போட்டியில் திருப்பூர் மாவட்டம் சார்பில் திருப்பூர் காதுகேளாதோர் பள்ளி மாணவியர் நந்தினி, அம்சவேணி, சந்தியா மற்றும் மாணவன் சாந்தனு ஆகிய 4 பேர் அபாரமாக விளையாடி தேசிய போட்டிக்கு தகுதி பெற்றனர். தேசிய போட்டியில் வெற்றி பெறுவோர், உலக அளவில் நடக்கும் காது கேளாதோருக்கான செஸ் போட்டியில் பங்கேற்பார்கள்.

Tax treat for the differently abled

Did you know you can claim tax benefits if you are caring for a family member who is differently abled? Tax laws recognise your hardship and allow you to claim deductions from your gross income. 

Before we go ahead with explaining these deductions in detail, note that these are allowed to taxpayers, who are resident Indians. These can be claimed by a resident, or a resident but not ordinarily resident person, who may be an Indian or foreign citizen. The deductions cannot be claimed by non-resident Indians.

Let’s understand how you can claim these:

Deduction for maintenance, including medical treatment of a handicapped dependent under section 80DD: This deduction is allowed to an individual and can also be claimed by a HUF. An individual can claim this deduction for his dependant spouse, children, parents, brothers and sisters, who suffer from a disability. A HUF can claim this deduction for a member. In case the disabled dependent has claimed deduction for self under section 80U, an individual taxpayer caring for such a dependant is not allowed to claim this deduction. To be able to claim this deduction, the tax payer must have incurred expenses for medical treatment (including nursing), training and rehabilitation of a disabled dependant.

The disability. which can be claimed must be as per definition under section 2 (i) of the Persons of Disabilities Act, 1995. Also, disability should not be less than 40%. A certificate of disability must be obtained from a medical authority. Since no document can be attached or submitted with your tax return, this certificate must be kept safely by the taxpayer, should the assessing officer require it at a later date.

Deduction for financial year 2014-15: For a disability of 40% to 80%, a fixed deduction of Rs 50,000 can be claimed. For disability exceeding 80%, a fixed deduction of Rs 1,00,000 can be claimed. Deduction for financial year 2015-16: Rs 50,000 has been revised to Rs 75,000 and Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 1,25,000.

Deduction for money spent on medical treatment of a specified ailment or disease for taxpayer himself or for a dependant under section 80DDB: While section 80DD is allowed only for dependants, this deduction can be claimed by a taxpayer for his own treatment as well. An individual can claim this deduction for self or a dependant spouse, children, parents, brothers and sisters. A HUF can claim this deduction for a member of the HUF.

This deduction can be claimed for neurological diseases, where disability is 40% or more, dementia, dystonia musculorum deformans, motor neuron disease, ataxia, chorea, hemiballismus, aphasia, parkinsons disease or malignant cancers, AIDS, chronic renal failure, hematological disorders such as hemophilia and thalassaemia.

To be able to claim this deduction, tax payer must obtain a certificate from a prescribed authority, i.e. from a specialist doctor. In this regard, CBDT recently issued a circular with details of how to obtain a certificate. Patients getting treated in a private hospital are not required to take the certificate from a government hospital. Patients receiving treatment in a government hospital have to take certificate from any specialist working full-time in that hospital. Such specialist must have a post-graduate degree in General or Internal Medicine or any equivalent degree, which is recognised by the Medical Council of India. Certificate in Form 10I is no longer required.

For financial year 2014-15: A deduction of Rs 40,000, or the amount actually paid, whichever is less can be claimed. In case of the person for whom deduction is being claimed (self or dependant) is a senior citizen, a deduction of Rs 60,000 or amount actually paid, whichever is less can be claimed.

In financial year 2015-16: An additional deduction was added for very senior citizens. A maximum of Rs 80,000 can be claimed.

Deduction available to an individual suffering from disability under section 80U: This deduction is allowed only to an individual and not an HUF. It can be claimed by the tax payer who is suffering from specified disability in his own tax return. Disability such as blindness, low vision, leprosy-cured, hearing impairment, loco motor disability, mental retardation, mental illness are defined under the section. And the disability must not be less than 40%. A certificate is required from a medical authority. Deduction for financial year 2014-15: If disability is 40% or more but less than 80% - fixed deduction of Rs 50,000 (irrespective of the actual amount incurred or deposited) is allowed. Where disability is 80% or more, a fixed deduction of Rs 1,00,000 can be claimed.

Deduction for financial year 2015-16: Amount of Rs 75,000 can be claimed instead of Rs 50,000. And, Rs 1,00,000 has been enhanced to Rs 1,25,000.

VoSAP Seeks Railway Accommodations for Disabled People

29.02.2016
WASHINGTON — Every Indian railway station should be made fully accessible for physically challenged people by incorporating measures according to universal accessibility standards, a non-governmental organization run by Indian American Pranav Desai said ahead of the annual railway budget.

Ramps with proper gradient and holding bars on both sides should be added, allowing wheelchairs to enter and move around in the station along with electric carts as per universal accessibility standards, Voice of Specially Abled People said in a memorandum submitted to Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu ahead of his annual budget.

VoSAP has been advocating for the “Accessible India Campaign” since July 2014 to bring everyone together to change the infrastructure by making buildings, transportation and digital assets fully accessible.

“Based on variables, such as the number of platforms, trains per day, average daily passenger traffic at the station (5 percent of which is assumed to be people with disabilities, including senior citizens) and the type of station, railways should provide suitable solutions and devices for passengers to safely get onto the train,” the memorandum said.

Options suggested include low-cost, foldable ramps; manual wheelchairs at multiple designated locations; elevators that go across platforms; stair lifts that can carry passengers in wheelchairs; power wheelchairs with motorized lifts (instead of foldable ramps) to elevate the wheelchair for safe and easy entry into the railway cart; and existing electric carts with the ability to raise the cart for direct entry to the train.

VoSAP requested that at bigger stations, one ticket booking window be at a lower height for wheelchair passengers. It also requested that there be a similarly designated area that is properly marked for loading and unloading handicapped passengers where porters with wheelchairs are available, as well as a reserved area on the platform close to their reserved coach with proper marking and colors for their safety.

It stressed the need to have multiple electronic sign boards at every platform for announcements displays for the hearing impaired.

As part of a long-term solution, at least one specially designed fully accessible railway car should be added to every train, VoSAP suggested, adding that this carriage should also have a permanent ramp and space for wheelchair movements.

“This will be a permanent solution. As railways modernize, all new passenger cars should meet accessibility requirements. This will also provide a huge export opportunity for producing such accessible carriages to SAARC and African countries,” the memorandum said.

Prabhu announced the annual railway budget Feb. 25.

Walkathon spreads awareness on hearing, communication disorders

Mysuru: Over 500 people, including parents of special children, participated in a walkathon organized by All-India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH) here on Saturday.

The participants, including AIISH staff, students and members of NGOs like Let's Do It! Mysore and MYRA, sported T-shirts having slogans on the disorders. As per a World Health Organization report, 6.3% of Indian population suffers from hearing impairment.

AIISH conducted the walkathon to spread awareness on the ways and means of preventing/ dealing with the disorders.

AIISH director S R Savithri told reporters that the Supreme Court has given 3% reservation in employment for specially-abled persons, and 1% for the hearing-impaired. "But due to the lack of awareness among people, the reservation is not being availed," she added.

Speaking on various types of communication disorders, which can be detected by parents in early stages to provide proper treatment, Savithri said: "There are technologically advanced instruments which can detect the disorders even in newborn babies. In developed countries, universal screening system is in place, wherein all newborns are screened for defects in the system. This will help special children get treatment in the early stages itself."

AIISH speech therapist Rekha said that children with hearing loss go through several social problems. "So parents should get their children treated at the institute," she added.

AIISH speech language pathology student Swathi J said people in urban get access to treatment, "but those in rural areas lack awareness on treatment and the facilities where they are available". AIISH outreach centres are spreading awareness among rural people.

Speech and hearing impaired girl raped in Karnataka

29.02.2016
Arun Kumar, a businessman, allegedly raped a 28-year-old girl speech and hearing impaired girl near Kunigal town, 70 kms from Bengaluru, on Sunday.

The Karnataka police are searching for a man, who allegedly raped a speech and hearing impaired girl near Kunigal town, 70 kms from Bengaluru, on Sunday.

According to the police, Arun Kumar, a businessman, allegedly raped the 28-year-old girl when was alone at home in Huliyurdurga near Kunigal on Sunday morning. The girl had not reported the incident to even the neighbours, as she had lost her parents recently, and was in the care of her relatives.

However, the girl eventually mustered courage and revealed the name of the rapist. Since then, Arun Kumar is absconding from the town. The police have registered a case and launched an extensive hunt to nab him.

Four hearing and speech impaired Pakistanis languish in Indian jail

29.02.2016, ISLAMABAD: 

Four hearing and speech impaired Pakistanis have been languishing in a jail in the Indian state of Punjab for years, show records of Pakistan’s Foreign Office. They are among the 28 Pakistani nationals incarcerated in the Amritsar jail on different charges.

While the Foreign Office has verified particulars of 22 Pakistani prisoners, it does not have the names and residential addresses of six prisoners – including the four hearing and speech impaired men. Authorities in both Pakistan and India have so far failed to verify their particulars.

The Foreign Office, however, has records of the charges against these inmates. “Goonga & Behra (deaf and dumb), son of (not known),” is written before a list of charges against the four special persons. In the column for ‘address in Pakistan’, the word ‘unknown’ is written.

The first ‘deaf and dumb’ was booked under FIR No 17/2011 registered on January 28, 2011. He is being held under Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 14 of the Foreigners Act. IPC’s Section 34 deals with criminal acts ‘done by several persons in furtherance of the common intention of all’. Under this section, each of such persons is liable for that act in the same manner as ‘if it were done by him alone’.

Section 14 of India’s Foreigners Act of 1946 prescribes penalties to those who remain in any Indian area for a period exceeding the period for which a visa was issued to them. The other three ‘deaf and dumb men’ were booked under FIR No 182/07, 58/07 – the last two in one FIR, all on same charges under 3-34-20 IPC and 14 Foreigners Act.

Another two persons whose credentials are yet to be verified by Pakistan’s interior ministry are Miraj, son of Babimal Walait, resident of Kotri in Sindh, and Chanda Khan, wife of Salman Khan from Karachi. Their complete addresses are available in the documents provided to Pakistani authorities but their names are not included in the list of those whose addresses have been verified.

It is unclear when India provided this information and why it took the interior ministry so long to verify the stated addresses. Miraj was booked in 2012 while Chanda was arrested in 2015, according to their FIR records.

Two other Pakistani prisoners – Fatima Bibi and Mumtaz Bibi – are apparently sisters, who are serving 10-year imprisonment under India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985. Fatima Bibi was married to Saifur Rehman, from the Bhulliary area of Gujranwala. She also has a daughter who was born in the jail.

This Gujarat company’s 60 percent workforce is disabled

28.02.2016, RAJKOT: If you come enter into Bhavnagar based Microsign Product's newly made factory unit on outskirts of Bhavnagar, you may surprise when you come across workers with various disabilities-physically handicapped, mentally challenged and deaf and damn with seamless work.

No one could believe as how disabled people who are considered 'liability' for society, have been made economic viability for Nisheeth Mehta, founder of Microsign, which designs and develops products like clips, clamps, ties, tie mount, markers out of engineering plastics.

Founded in 1978, an engineer Mehta started employing disabled people from 1988 with sheer sensitivity towards disabled persons and experimented with employing in mainstream business.

"I was in search of committed workers and I decided to experiment by employing them and assigned the work according to their need and capabilities and found remarkable results. Now, out of total 50 employees at Microsign, 34 workers are disabled people, which accounts 60 per cent of the workforce. They are our assets. Our experience suggests that employing differently abled people makes business sense'' explains Mehta.

The disabled people includes physically challenged, mentally challenged and deaf and damn workers.

"I did not do it for charity but gave them an opportunity to establish that they are differently abled and can do everything just fit them into your need'' Mehta said.

Microsign product has become a model with an industry with a difference. His human engineering at his industry inspired many to follow suit. In fact, Microsignhas become case study for management gurus. Currently Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad is preparing a case study on Mehta's business model which able the disabled.

"We want a work with a dignity and here with get it with a pride. We never felt like employee-employer relations here but it is like a family'' says Mukesh Patel, 47. Mukesh and his wife Ranjan Patel, both physically challenged, works here since last two decades.

"I enjoy working here as I could see various disabled people are working in their best capacity and it motivates me to work'' says 23-year-old Alpesh Khasiya, a physically challenged worker.

"Everything is possible but you need to look at with great sensitivity and human approach'' says Mehta.