Empowering Deaf Communities: A 17-Year Partnership Between Deaf Child Worldwide and Graham Bell Centre for Deaf (GBCD)

In rural West Bengal, India, a transformation is taking place. For the past 17 years, Graham Bell Centre for the Deaf (GBCD) has been at the forefront of this change. Collaborating with us at Deaf Child Worldwide (DCW), GBCD has focused on educational inclusion, empowerment, and community involvement. Together, we have built a tangible legacy for deaf children and young people, proving that change is possible.

Founded in 1991, GBCD is a rural non-governmental organisation dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities in the Hooghly district of West Bengal. Initially working on a smaller scale, GBCD began to seek support from charitable organisations in 2005, with DCW becoming a key partner in 2007. Through expertise, knowledge, and funding, we have played a key role in GBCD's efforts to transform lives.

Increasing Local Expertise

Over the years, GBCD has evolved into a prominent organisation in rural West Bengal. By adopting a community-based rehabilitation (CBR) approach, they’ve mobilised local resources and actively involved the community in providing support, counselling, and guidance. Various roles within the organisation, such as teachers and technicians, are filled by individuals from the local community. This not only raises awareness about deafness and what deaf people can achieve but also ensures GBCD remains accountable to those they serve.

Continuous support and training have transformed parents of deaf children into experts, who now provide essential guidance and link other families with GBCD.

Improved Facilities and Support

In 2007, GBCD operated out of a small mud-built office. Today, they boast a three-story building equipped with training halls, office rooms, and facilities like purified water, electricity, internet, and specialised equipment for audiological assessment and therapy. They also operate clinics for physiotherapy, audiology, speech therapy, eye care, and mental health, bringing city-level services to rural areas. The staff has grown from 12 to 53, serving 653 children with disabilities and their families across three projects funded by different foundations.

Educational Inclusion

Working in partnership with us, GBCD has strengthened access to inclusive education for deaf children. A key factor has been establishing the rights of deaf children to receive a quality education from state schools. They’ve also developed disability-friendly teaching materials and provided home-based educational support where needed.

After 15 years of focusing on primary education for deaf children, in 2020, GBCD also began supporting deaf children in secondary education. Working with community-based rehabilitation workers, deaf role models, and schoolteachers, more children are now passing board exams, gaining college admission, and pursuing higher education. Since 2017, 53 children have passed board exams, and 155 are currently being supported toward this goal.

Community Involvement

GBCD has created a Community Resource Group (CRG) which comprises of parents of deaf children and community members. They have been trained to provide educational support to deaf children outside of school hours, doing so at resource centres that have been set up in the community for this purpose. Parents groups that were set up 17 years ago have grown in size and strength. They meet to share information and exchange experiences and also actively engage with the district authorities to ensure that deaf children receive their disability entitlements. Many families of deaf children also now also access social security schemes they're entitled to, leading to greater financial stability and social inclusion.  Over the years, GBCD has been engaging increasingly with the parents groups  so that they can help inform the design and implementation of their programmes. They’ve also organised short stay camps and community awareness sessions. The widespread adoption of Indian Sign Language (ISL) has played a crucial role in this transformation, fostering better communication and understanding among families, teachers, peers, and neighbours.

Removing Social Stigma

Attitudes within the remote community have shifted noticeably over the last 17 years. There’s been a clear reduction in social stigma and increased awareness of the abilities of deaf children since, the beginning of the partnership.

Enhanced Employment Opportunities

One of the most encouraging results of the partnership has been seeing former children become successfully employed across various sectors as young adults. This is following DCW and GBCD’s partnership focus on life skills training and employment-related training over several years. In this article, we highlight Uttam Karmakar’s story which perfectly illustrates the strength of the work. Seventy-nine young people are now in meaningful employment, thanks to substantial employer awareness programs and ongoing advocacy work by GBCD. Employers now recognise the capabilities of deaf employees and are better equipped to provide equal opportunities.

 

Uttam shares:-

 "I have received support from GBCD since 2014. I have passed the Madhyamik & Higher secondary Exam. The special classes, adapted booklets and interpreting support really helped me to do well in exams."

"We have spent a lot of quality time in short stay camps where we play and learn together and develop great relationships with our mates."

"Now I am working in "Dadpur Motors" and using my reading skills, I can see that the liquid we sell is called DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) so being a Deaf person it brings great happiness to see 'Deaf' (DEF) in liquid form".

“I am very happy with my work, and it makes me feel proud when I see my earnings are helping my family. My parents are also very happy".

Creating a Sustainable Future

GBCD's future strategy is firmly rooted in its community-based rehabilitation approach. They’ve broken down barriers and transformed the lives of deaf children, enabling them to pass school exams, enter colleges, and experience true educational inclusion.

Through our partnership with GBCD, we’ve been a medium for positive change in the lives of deaf individuals in West Bengal. GBCD's journey serves as an inspiration for organisations and communities worldwide, emphasising the significance of education, empowerment, and community involvement in transforming lives and creating a more inclusive society.

Empowering deaf communities is not just a mission; it’s a continuous effort that requires dedication, collaboration, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every individual. The 17-year partnership between Deaf Child Worldwide and the Graham Bell Centre for the Deaf stands as a testament to what can be achieved when organisations unite for a common cause.