The 3rd National Conference on Deafblind Advocacy and Employment, organized by the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD) in collaboration with the Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind (SEDB), Vidyasagar, and Chetna Charitable Trust, was held from January 31 to February 1, 2025, in Chennai. The conference was funded by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
The Hon’ble Shri. Jagdeep Dhankar, Vice President of India inaugurated the program by lighting ceremonial lamp and delivered the inaugural address and served as the chief guest of the conference. Shri. Jagdeep Dhankar, Vice President of India, and Dr. Smt. Sudesh Dhankar, Second lady of India felicitated by Dr. Nachiketa Rout, Director, NIEPMD.
The conference brought together over 100 participants, including 40 deafblind individuals, to discuss employment opportunities, accessibility, and self-advocacy. Inaugurated by Hon’ble Shri. Jagdeep Dhankar, Vice President of India, the event focused on breaking barriers faced by the deafblind community and creating an inclusive society. Shri. Dhankar also planted tree saplings as a symbol of “Mother Earth” and distributed assistive devices to persons with disabilities.
The event emphasized ‘information accessibility,’ particularly on online platforms, and highlighted government schemes like ADIP and NIRAMAYA that support people with disabilities. Shri. Zamir Dhale, Founder of SEDB, delivered the welcome speech, advocating for better education and employment opportunities for the deafblind.
This conference provided a platform for participants to exchange ideas, learn about government initiatives, and build connections to advocate for their rights, creating a more accessible and inclusive world for people with disabilities.
