State of Visually Impaired in 75 Years of Independent India: Issues and Challenges
Call for Research Papers Important Dates: Submission of Abstracts: 10th April 2024 Intimation of acceptance of the Abstracts: 20th April2024 Submission of full paper: 15th May 2024 Important Points: Abstract: The abstract should be concise, not exceeding of 300 words with four-five keywords. Full Research Paper: The full research paper should have a minimum of 2500 words, excluding Works Cited and Appendices. Font: Times New Roman Size of the font: 14 for headings and 12 for the body of the text. MLA 9th edition should be followed throughout the chapter for consistency. Research papers accepted by the editorial board will be compiled in the form of a book and published with ISBN Dear Friends, Come let’s herald the voices of the forgotten majority! In order to celebrate 25 years of Karna Vidya movement and its unwavering Service towards the empowerment of visually impaired across Tamil Nadu, Karna Vidya Foundation (KVF) would like to dedicate yet another meaningful contribution to this Society. KVF invites research articles, creative writings and experiential narratives from Students, job seekers, employees, academicians, experts, activists, research Scholars, Special educators, parents, officials and service providers in the field of visual impairment across India. Concept Note As we introspect on the growth and development of India in the last 75 years, undoubtedly, we have made a mark in all spheres of life, benefiting some portions of the Society across Nation. But irrespective of all developmental measures, A huge population of India still remains marginalised/neglected, resulting in the deprivation of exercising and experiencing their due rights to lead a decent life. One among such marginalised and neglected group is persons with disabilities across India. In an age of Science, technology and Artificial Intelligence lay a predominant role, a large population of disabled people lives on the peripheries, struggling for their everyday basic needs. On seeing news items and promotions on print, visual and social media, this statement may sound a bit illusory. But, even today, the fact is that obtaining just a medical certificate or identity card for his/her disability involves lot of hardships to overcome. The growth and development of any community is determined by proper planning and effective implementation of various Services. For such an action, clear and thorough data of the community is critical. India, being a largest nation of Democracy, even at its Seventy-five year of independence, does not have a complete and full-fledged survey of persons with disabilities. During the 15th round, (July, 1959 - June, 1960,) The National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) made the first attempt to collect data on the persons with disabilities. In 2011 census, Though the question of disability Status being included, the data of disabled did not cover all dynamics of each type of disability. The 2011 census counted 8 types of disabilities and states that “26.8 million persons are ‘disabled’ which is 2.21% of the total population. In 2016, India enacted the “Rights of Persons With Disabilities” in compliance with UNCRPD, which was Signed and ratified by Indian Government on 1st October 2007. Twenty one types of disabilities have been identified and included in this act. As per this, the population of persons with disabilities should be more, when compare with 2011 census. Considering the results of the latest National Family Health Survey, (NHFS,) there seems to be an attempt to undercount persons with disabilities. This is an important cause of concern that gets unnoticed. The RPWD act 2016 clearly distinguishes the terms “impairment and disability.” ‘Impairment’ means “Missing or defective body part” and ‘Disability’ means “a person with long term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment which, in interaction with barriers, hinders his full and effective participation in society equally with others.” Instead of following the definition of disability provided in RPWD act as the touchstone for the implementation of all welfare measures and developmental programmes for fruitful outcomes, there is only a mere wordplay to christen the disabled as ‘Divyang’, ‘Differently Abled’, etc. This approach has simply diluted the process of identifying and implanting correct and suitable solutions for the gaps found in disability sector. Looking at the certification of twenty one types of disabilities and early intervention for each of them opens up several questions unanswered. Schemes such as disability pension, providing assistive devices etc. demand a thorough review, as they are significant factors contributing to the empowerment of persons with disabilities. In order to promote and provide a qualitative education to persons with visual impairment, Government has been enrolling blind Students both in Schools for the Blind and regular government Schools across India. But there are several challenges and issues in both the Systems that require immediate intervention. For example, Students with visual impairment are in need of study materials in accessible formats, qualified teachers, updated teaching-learning practices and pursuance of new courses of Study both in higher Secondary and higher Education levels. the provision of reservation in recruitment and promotion in government jobs is mandated by RPWD act 2016. Even after the implementation of RPWD Act, one can notice constant concerns from disability sector to examine the process of filling up regular and backlog vacancies for persons with disabilities in general and visual impairment in particular. Aspects such as identification of posts, workplace reasonable accommodation and workplace inclusion need to be researched. Job opportunities in private Sector remains at a distant dream and hence, in all private firms, the establishment of Diversity and Inclusion cell and publication of equal opportunity policy for accommodating persons with disabilities in general and persons with visual impairment in particular become imperative. Other avenues such as appreciating Arts, Architecture, Sports, recreation and others have a long way to go for persons with visual impairment. In this context, it is noteworthy to recall the unparalleled sacrifice’s and agonizing sufferings of numerous persons with disabilities and organisations across India in the last 75 years. It is equally significant to speak-off the distinguished contribution, rendered by blind activists and organisations of the blind, towards the empowerment of persons with visual impairment in all States across Nation. Though almost all types of disabilities share the aforesaid issues and challenges in the ground, this book would like to take efforts to focus and study only on persons with visual impairment in all dimensions of life. Since the editorial board believes that every individual with visual impairment is a potential advocate and torchbearer of mainstreaming disabilities for social inclusion, the team appeals and invites the publication of scholarly papers from each and every individual to register and demonstrate the hidden realities in the field of visual impairment across the Nation in the last Seventy-five years of independent India. The aim of this book is to: Understand and initiate deliberations on the state of visually impaired in post-independent India. To critically examine the terms and notions that surround visual impairment and visually impaired. To highlight the Significance of intersection and dimensions of visual impairment with all other disciplines such as aesthetics, economics, politics, Literature, Sociology etc. To exemplify the voices of unsung champions of this Society such as biographies, life narratives etc. To recollect the contribution of Karna Vidya towards the growth and development of persons with visual impairment in last 25 years To provide new perspectives, innovative methods and trends for a sustainable progress in all walks of life To ensure an equitable, accessible and inclusive Society for persons with visual impairment The main theme of this book is to: Trace the state of visually impaired in all walks of life in post-independent India till date. Sub-Themes Interested presenters can also submit their papers on the following Sub-themes (the list is not exhaustive). • Literary and cultural representation of visual impairment in post-independent India • Language and visual impairment • Issues pertaining to visually impaired women • Intersectional identities of Visual impairment • Reasonable accommodation and accessibility • Education and employment • Biographies, Stories on unsung heroes, life narratives etc. • co-curricular, Sports and recreation • theories and Schools of thoughts on visual impairment • The future of visual impairment and Artificial Intelligence Note to paper presenters: Papers/Articles should only be centred on visual impairment and visually impaired. Papers written on other disabilities will not be entertained. Papers can be submitted by both persons with and without disabilities The above mentioned is only an illustrative list of topics Hence, an applicant can write on any aspect of visual impairment with proper evidences. The papers should be written only in English. All references, footnotes and other details should be properly documented as per MLA 9th edition. Plagiarism will be thoroughly checked and if found, such papers will be summarily rejected. Presenters should submit a certificate of genuineness of their work submitted, both in hard copy and image format. Presenters will be given a hard copy of the book only on request on the day of publication. The date of publication of the book will be intimated to the authors Separately. The Editorial Board: Dr. V. Sivaraman, Associate Professor, Department of English, Presidency College, (Autonomous,) Chennai - 600005. Dr. K. Muruganandam, Assistant Professor and Head, Department of English, government arts & science college, Kallakurichi. Dr. P. Boopathi, Assistant Professor, Department of English Studies and Coordinator of Enabling Unit, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur. M. Vikas Munot, Assistant Professor, PG and research Department of English Pachaiyappa’s colledge, Chennai. Ms. Dipti Bhatia, CEO, National Association for the Blind (NAB,) Tamil Nadu State Branch. Request the Presenters to send in their abstracts and full papers to: da...@karnavidyafoundation.org For queries contact: 9791089953 9442063909 7200254589 Thanks, Regards, CK -- CHINNAKARUPPASAMI.P -- Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list.. 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