Founded in 2002 registered under the Indian Trust Act 1860, by a group of young professionals, Smile works to promote and catalyze welfare initiatives - focused on children from deprived segment of population. The Foundation reaches to over 25,000 children & youths through 40 projects in 10 states of India.

A strong belief that educated youth is the cornerstone of any working democracy, Smile is committed to providing deprived children/youth with basic education ensuring a future free from the vicious cycle of ignorance, poverty and disease. And promoting access to education for the differently abled is a thrust area.

One of our partner organization “Adharrsheela” is working for deaf-blind children since last four years in Chamoli district of Uttaranchal.To strengthen the commitment for a just cause of Adharrsheela, to create awareness about this unique disability and to sensitize the civil society, we are organizing a walk  to commemorate the International Disabled Day on 3^rd December 2005.

 The schedule is as follows: -

Date                 :  3^rd December 2005

Time                :   10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Route               :   From Indian National Science Academy  , Bahadur Zafar Marg to Rajghat.

Many many thanks indeed!

With warm regards

Anupama Puri Kalra

Chief Programs Officer

Smile Foundation

http://www.smilefoundationindia.org

# 51354564, 51354565

Blindness separates a person from things; But Deafness separates him from people. ~Lady Helen Keller”

FAQ about Deafblindness

1. What is Deafblindness? It is a unique disability – a combination of both vision and hearing loss.
2. What causes Deafblindness?- Pre mature Birth, Rubella or German Measles, Lack of Proper care at the time of birth and Usher Syndrom are some of the major reasons.
3. What is population of Deafblind in India?- Unfortunately it is a disability that very few people know about. In India we don’t have any research or survey, But the community based rehabilitation projects have hinted around 4,50,000 person.
4. Are all Deafblind, totally Deaf and totally Blind?- No, very few are totally. The degree of Deafness and Blindness varies from person to person.
5. Whether a Blind can be a Deafblind at later stage?- Research shows that visually impaired children are susceptible to Deafblindness in later age.
6. What are the needs of a Deafblind? - Needs vary from person to person, some of these could be communication, acceptance as person as part of family or society, environment to learn basic skills, medical support, assistive devises, formal and non-formal education. 
7. At what age, the intervention can start? - Ideally intervention should start as early as possible.
8. Are the educational needs of a Deafblind fulfilled-? - No, Because it needs appropriate specialist education.
9. How can we prevent Deafblindness? - Through early detection and proper intervention as early as possible.
10. What are the services available to Deafblind in India? - Until 1997, there was only one service for Deafblind people, but at present there are 34 Deafblind programme in 18 different states of India.
11. Why do support Adharrsheela? - Your support will help us to reach and to work with maximum numbers of Deafblind.

            Come forward………and say “Yes” to those………Who neither hear your no, nor see your compassion.