tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51268037163020885912024-02-19T00:50:56.803-08:00Avanti!!Avanti can now be found at www.ekansh.org Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126803716302088591.post-66132391343429566332010-02-18T07:24:00.001-08:002010-02-19T18:01:35.518-08:00Human Rights and Accessibility LecturesAyodhya Charitable Trust, an NGO for the deaf in Pune, invited us for a lecture on Human Rights and Accessibility on 18th January. Atiya who, with Aqil, had done a thorough introduction to ISL and Deaf Culture for them had insisted that we accept the invitation though I was a bit skeptical about what we could say to experienced teachers of the deaf from in and around PuneMrs. Sheth and I discussed how to go about 'lecturing' 20 teachers from in and around Pune on these topics without sounding presumptuous. I was prepared with my powerpoint programme and fancy jargon but unsure that we were authorities on the topics.<br /><br />Mrs. Sheth then suggested 'group discussions' and it worked wonderfully. We gave the participants a list of points to discuss and 4 groups of 5 participants each got talking animatedly and making notes. We finally had one representative of each sub-group come up and voice their views. The energy was amazing. I ended the session by highlighting the points raised by the participants and the different ways in which the problems they encounter as teachers of the deaf can be solved with a little more assertion and commitment.<br /><br />Today I was invited to repeat the lecture...and though Mrs. Sheth was not with me, Ramona came. I found that though I missed Mrs. Sheth, today, I was more confident and better equipped to address the new batch of 20 teachers. We had the group discussion. We got 5 new points from each group to dwell on and discuss. I will put up the points in my next blog for all to read and ponder. I ended with the quote <br /><em>"if we're not part of the solution, we're part of the problem"</em> and requested them to assert their rights as teachers and put down on paper all the problems they faced and the solutions at the end of the 3 day workshop held by Ayodhya and send copies to the authorities that are so that this doesn't stop as a discussion in a classroom somewhere in Pune but takes the shape of a mass movement begun for mainstreaming of the deaf led by teachers of the deaf.<br /><br />The teachers were a happy, interactive, intelligent group and I've been informed that we'll be invited again for lectures! Cheers to that!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126803716302088591.post-34302627285298408072010-02-18T07:16:00.001-08:002010-12-07T05:09:38.963-08:00Silent EloquenceWe began our course in November 2009. Having scanned the internet for information on SIGN LANGUAGE and its multiple benefits, I was amazed at what I unearthed. I found out that people with challenges other than deafness could also benefit from signing. I contacted Prasanna School for the Autistic and was pleased with the response. 4 of their teachers signed up for our course and are happy with the learning experience.<br />We have over 15 deaf students who're trying to improve their English Language skills using the same ISL course. As we, the hearing, learn to sign, they try and correct their spellings and grammar. We also involve them in our ISL sessions by allowing them to demonstrate to us how to sign with the right expressions and ISL grammar. This serves as an interactive and confidence building exercise. We have over 15 hearing students including school going children who are regular and enthusiastic participants in the course. There have been many inquiries about organising more such introductory courses in and around Pune and we're are thrilled with the resposnse we've recieved.<br /><br />Thank you, Aqil and Atiya for designing the course and conducting it for EKansh as freelancers. Thank you, Pune!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126803716302088591.post-89190115180526670572010-02-18T06:40:00.000-08:002010-12-07T05:08:19.261-08:00EKanshI am Anita. I've worked with the blind in Delhi and now work with people across the disability spectrum in Pune. My dream has always been that of an INCLUSIVE world - a world where there are no labels meant to help discriminate or differentiate. With an academic background in Law, Sociology and Psychology and work experience in the service industry, EKansh is my baby and she's lucky to have found so many Godparents in so short a time. My role is to conceptualize and actualize ideas to spread my/our slogan - <strong>Awareness, Acceptance, Sensitization and Inclusion.</strong><br /><br />Bhakti is my co-trustee in EKansh. She is keen to help change the situation for people with disabilities and the attitude of our society. She's taken over the task of documentation and official paperwork for EKansh.<br /><br />Dr. ( Mrs.) Madhuri Sheth is a gem of an ally. She's a septuagenarian with a wild zest for music, drama and life in general. A moving force who prods us on, advises, scolds, gently explains and ensures that things get done the way they should. She's visiting faculty at TASMAC in Pune with very rich experience in training and HR. She's organised and participated in various Indian nad international conferences and seminars ..also run an NGO called SANCHETNA. She believes in woman power and epitomises it.<br /><br />Mona is an EKansh member with a keen eye for details/grammar and a sharp mind for accounts. We'd be lost without her!<br /><br />Ramona is a new member who lost 8 months of her active life to a broken leg and was at home thanks to non-existent public spaces with facilities for people with disabilities in our country. An editor with Jacaranda and an MBA, she's a hands on person with a keen mind who wants to learn the ropes yesterday.<br /><br />Girish is 'guest' volunteer who shows up and helps us out when we least expect him to.<br /><br />This is our team today. Besides these friends, there are many who've supported us in many ways. We'd like this family to grow and welcome anyone who has the time and inclination to make our society more inclusive.<br /><br /><br /><em>Atiya has a freelance ISL consultant to us and friend since 3 years. We still argue with each other from opposite sides of the same issue. Me, a representative of the insensitive 'non-disabled' society and she, an ISL interpreter and resource person AND an insider from the deaf community since she has a brother who is deaf. We argue about the rules that the self appointed authorities have laid down...me more willing to break them than she. She worries about whether the 'hearing' will take the 'deaf' for a ride. I worry whether the 'deaf' will trust those 'hearing' people who are really keen on inclusion but are clueless and treading on eggshells. We share a strong partnership and know we will achieve what we set out to. She helps us conduct awareness sessions wrt ISL and deaf issues.<br /><br />Aqil is Atiya's brother and our Mascot! He's deaf and a tireless advocate of ISL. He has also always been with us on our journey towards inclusion. He has evolved into a more confident human being, now even co-ordinating and assisting in designing and teaching our basic course on ISL.</em><br /><br /><br /><strong>We thank Atiya and Aqil for their support to EKansh as experts from within the Deaf World.</strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126803716302088591.post-7817011968315493062009-08-10T05:36:00.000-07:002009-08-10T05:39:35.722-07:00The SeminarReaching out...<br /><br /><a href="http://ekansh1.web.officelive.com/PuneSeminar.aspx">http://ekansh1.web.officelive.com/PuneSeminar.aspx</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126803716302088591.post-40984422724595684542009-08-05T17:09:00.000-07:002009-08-05T17:21:32.806-07:00A balanced view: Different strokes for different folks<a href="http://www.deaf-culture-online.com/parents-of-deaf-children.html">http://www.deaf-culture-online.com/parents-of-deaf-children.html</a><br /><br />Giving Deaf Children Permission To Be Who They AreThere is one more critical aspect to making the right choice. This is allowing your children the freedom to be who they are. It doesn't matter if your child is fluent in ASL or an oralist; it doesn't matter if your child attends a deaf school or a mainstream school; it doesn't matter if your child is hard of hearing or totally deaf. The important thing is this: whatever works best for your child, your child needs to know that this is perfectly okay with you.<br />In an article titled Deafness: An Existential Interpretation by Stanley Krippner and Harry Easton, there was a quote so powerful that I felt compelled to include it in my book, <a onclick="window.open('/cgi-bin/counter.pl?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhandwavepublications.com&referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.deaf-culture-online.com%2Fparents-of-deaf-children.html'); return false;" href="http://handwavepublications.com/">Deaf Again.</a> Here it is in its entirety:<br />"If parents are not able to accept the fact that their child is deaf and continue to deny the implications of the deafness, the resulting effects on the child are to encourage his own denial and lack of authenticity. Such a child is thus unable to accept himself and his capacity to emerge or become a unique person is blocked. He lives an existential lie and becomes unable to relate to himself and to other deaf individuals and to the world in a genuine manner."<br />And this, I promise, is the most effective communication method for a deaf child: a parent's assurance that, however they choose to grow up- deaf or hard of hearing, it is okay.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126803716302088591.post-91095553434379452762009-08-05T07:33:00.000-07:002009-08-05T07:51:17.327-07:00Learning ChallengesSign is not only for the DEAF. There is this very narrow perception of SIGN as an alternative language ONLY for the deaf. It even helps in problems like Dyslexia and Autism. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.babies-and-sign-language.com/autism.html">http://www.babies-and-sign-language.com/autism.html</a><br /><br /><a href="http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080130142513AAd7dQ2">http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080130142513AAd7dQ2</a><br /><br />It is wonderful to read differing opinions expressed with clarity and equanimity.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126803716302088591.post-66836054043835122812009-08-02T19:07:00.000-07:002009-08-02T19:10:31.032-07:00For those who choose to remain misinformed.<a href="http://www.bccsd.50megs.com/about_1.html">http://www.bccsd.50megs.com/about_1.html</a><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Excerpts from the experts:</span><br /><br />3. Informed Information/Decision (i.e. many new parents of deaf children are not aware of potential risks/side effects of Auditory Verbal Therapy(AVT) programs until their children experience mental health and language problems in their later life. There is no checklist for parents of deaf children to identify mismatched communication and acting-out behaviours.)<br />Fact: No information regarding the harmful effects of AVT and preventative mental health information is available to new parents of deaf children until their children reach their teen years and begin to experience difficulties. Many new parents of deaf children and professionals in the field of the health and education of deaf people are not informed of a full spectrum of information. Many are still not aware of (or avoid learning about) the realities, possibilities and accomplishments of Deaf people. They fear losing their jobs to Deaf people or losing their children to the Deaf community.<br />4. Misleading Information about implications of sign language (i.e. speech, language and intelligence development are compromised by learning/using sign language)<br />Fact: Parents of deaf children are often not aware that there is no research or empirical studies to support this perception for those parents of deaf children who choose to pursue to both AVT and ASL services. In fact, research studies show that using sign language greatly benefits deaf children's linguistic, speech, intelligence and academic performance.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126803716302088591.post-37915587969313663732009-08-02T15:04:00.000-07:002009-08-02T15:06:53.407-07:00Communication is the lock, language is the key. If it fits, it works.Baby talk 101: Is sign language a good idea for late talkers?<br /><a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-4959-Special-Education-Examiner"></a><br /><a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-4959-Special-Education-Examiner~y2009m7d17-Commom-sense-advice-on-sign-language-for-late-talkers">http://www.examiner.com/x-4959-Special-Education-Examiner~y2009m7d17-Commom-sense-advice-on-sign-language-for-late-talkers</a><br /><br /><br /><a class="stbutton stico_default" title="ShareThis via email, AIM, social bookmarking and networking sites, etc." href="javascript:void(0)" st_page="home">ShareThis</a><br />While perusing an <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AuditoryProcessing/" target="_blank">on-line auditory processing group</a>, I found some important advice by audiologist <a href="http://www.portlandapd.com/" target="_blank">Laura Polich</a> Ph.D., CCC. A mom was discussing her child's speech delays and was given "advice" that could be destructive. The advice was NOT to use sign language, by not allowing signing, it would "force" the child to talk instead. Luckily Ms Polich was there to give out some great advice. Here it is:<br />"As a practicing audiologist, and a now-not-practicing speech pathologist, I wanted to comment on the speech therapist who wanted you to stop using sign language so that the children would be "forced" to talk. Hogwash.<br />Underneath that request is the assumption that children are naturally lazy, and won't do anything they don't have to. Which I find absurd. Children don't talk because of the effort (or lack of effort) it takes. They talk to communicate. Communication is the payoff, and they use whatever they can to get there. Humans inherently want to communicate.<br />If they aren't talking, it is because they can't. Something isn't clicking. Their language skills and their voices aren't combining to produce intelligible speech. Thank God, you are giving them the alternative of your understanding the language they can produce with their hands.<br />I think you are doing exactly what is needed by using sign language. I am assuming that you continue to talk to them (so they are getting the linguistic input from a verbal source) and you are treating their signs as communication. That in turn gives them the positive reinforcement we humans get from communicating with other humans. That encourages them to communicate more.<br />That is far superior to refusing to respond to the communication they are capable of now (signs) and letting them live through a lot of frustration, in the hope that they will find their way to oral language because of desperation.<br />If you have deaf relatives, you have probably hear some pretty awful stories told by deaf people about how they had long periods of non-communication because well-meaning speech teachers told their parents not to learn sign language so that the deaf children would be "forced to talk". The "being forced" didn't make any deaf child talk faster, it just made the process more unpleasant.<br />When children have the ability to talk, they will talk. When your children get to the developmental point that they can convert communicative impulses into speech, they will. In the meantime, you are giving them a way now (signs) to experience the very powerful joy we humans get by communicating with each other. That joy of communication is what is going to spur them on to more and more communication, and hopefully, in time, speech.<br />Don't accept the "children are inherently lazy" argument from any professional. I think you understand your kids well. Just keep on talking to them, and keep on understanding their signs."<br />Here is the <a href="http://www.speechpathology.com/Articles/article_detail.asp?article_id=315" target="_blank">evidence</a> to show that early sign language enhances overall communication skills in children.<br />For more info: Come and visit the Auditory Processing dicussion group <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AuditoryProcessing/" target="_blank">here</a>..<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126803716302088591.post-36103972595770494392009-03-08T20:04:00.000-07:002009-03-21T08:50:12.168-07:00Right to empathy<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/h_IyEkewvcI&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/h_IyEkewvcI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />The deaf, like any of us, have the right to choose what languages they would like to learn. If they are more comfortable in sign, they must be taught to sign. If they are more comfortable with speech and hearing aids/cochlear implants, that must be made available to them. From what I have seen personally in my interactions or observations of the deaf <span style="color:#006600;">[this is a strong personal opinion, not to be confused with a professional or authoritative one]</span><span style="color:#c0c0c0;"> </span>, they have always switched back to sign the moment they're left alone with their deaf friends.<br /><br />I grew up in Mumbai and every evening outside our local park, there used to be this group of men...around 6 of them if I remember right who'd be laughing loudly...making sounds that I couldn't understand and happily signing away to glory. That is my earliest memory of a whole group communicating beautifully without speech.<br /><br />Ofcourse, I would be very foolish to suggest that parents must not expect a 'normal' life and choose a 'normal' language for their children. That would be insensitive too. But if speech comes naturally and without too much trauma, it is welcome. In other cases, it is more sensitive to allow the child to communicate using a language he/she is most comfortable in.<br /><br />I was invited to a felicitation ceremony for the disabled in Pune last year. A well known<span style="color:#c0c0c0;"> </span><span style="color:#006600;">[</span><span style="color:#006600;">in his social and work circles]</span>, well educated, well placed deaf gentleman, Arun ( name changed), who had also participated in our first workshop, was being given an award for his courage and progress despite his disabilities. He sat on the podium and the speaker introduced him to the audience over the microphone. Arun does not use hearing aids and he sat facing the speaker's back so he couldn't read his lips. There was no interpreter and Arun had no way of knowing what was being said about him. He sat there till the person next to him nudged him when it was his turn to accept his award. He took the microphone. He was raised to be 'oral' ...to speak. He also signs fluently, but for some reason, that evening, he decided not to sign. So he spoke. None of us understood a word he said. Not one word. He still stood there and talked...and I rose to leave because I could not take the overwhleming irony anymore. There were representatives of Helen Keller Inst. in the first row. There were people from various established NGOs in attendance. Nobody reacted. As I walked out of the hall, Arun was still 'talking'.<br /><br />I visited <a href="http://www.ishara.org/?q=node/2">Sibaji Panda </a>in Lancashire University. We had lunch together. He talked to me and I talked too, trying to sign and succeeding sometimes. He read my lips without any problems. He was not born deaf but lost his hearing in his childhood. He lip reads and speaks many languages fluently. He also signs and is very active with the <a href="http://www.ishara.org/">ISHARA</a> foundation in Mumbai. <span style="color:#006600;">That is him, signing in the first video.<br /></span><br />Our choices for our children, I think, must not be based on our biases but on unconditional love and acceptance. That would perhaps take our world forward. But for that sensitivity and acceptance to come, we must educate our future generations and sensitise them to the limitations nature has endowed each of us with.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126803716302088591.post-35307283182473628782009-02-15T05:59:00.001-08:002009-02-15T06:00:49.154-08:00I believe in angels!<a href="http://miraklecouriers.wordpress.com/">http://miraklecouriers.wordpress.com/</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126803716302088591.post-90776966712017786162009-02-07T03:06:00.000-08:002009-02-07T03:09:45.337-08:00Miss communication?I wonder when the hearing impaired in India will have any use for something like <a href="http://www.deaf-tube.com/video/1999/Earthquake-1974-movie">this</a>. I have no idea why a country with so many languages and dialects will not adopt the ASL and just let our deaf use a language people will understand internationally. Why the resistance? If we can all learn to communicate in English...adding our own peculiar nuances to it, why not ASL?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126803716302088591.post-85426897614659991842009-01-23T23:49:00.000-08:002009-01-26T18:45:39.501-08:00Watch this space<span style="color:#993300;"><em>Avanti!! has been in hibernation for a long time now but it is waking up from its slumber. We do not intend to give up hope that we will indeed find the necessary help to set up classes in Pune sooner than later. We need an instructor who resides in Pune and will be able to devote a couple of hours every week regularly for classes. As you already know, there are NO CERTIFIED teachers of ISL in our city and we've had to 'import' them from Mumbai for our two workshops and it isn't a feasible option if we're planning a course spanning a few months.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>There are discussions and brainstorming sessions underway and we hope to be able to come up with some sort of concrete plan by the next academic year. </em></span><br /><em><span style="color:#993300;"></span></em><br /><em><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">Please don't give up on us!</span></strong></em><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#993300;"><br /><em></em></span></span></strong><br /><em></em><br /><br /><br /><em></em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126803716302088591.post-12905172169068662582007-07-25T08:52:00.000-07:002007-07-25T08:59:40.671-07:00Workshop for Bal Kalyan Sanstha21st of July found us conducting another workshop for teachers of the deaf at Balkalyan Sanstha. There were 37 teachers from all over Maharashtra. This time though, the enthusiasm levels were not comparable with those at our first workshop. These were teachers from government schools who've been there and done that ( enough said?!). They were tough customers who wanted solutions from Avanti!! Teachers who've been in the line over 25 years ...Avanti has no sure-fire solutions, only a team which taught ISL...a language which is used by the deaf all over India...in its different versions and dialects. A team which recommends using a language the deaf are comfortable with...much as we are comfortable in our own mother tongues. It was a great day for learning...for Avanti, for the team of instructors and hopefully for the teachers who attended. These teachers are from inclusive schools ...where hearing and deaf kids study together. But the surprising part was the obvious lack of interest in communicating directly with the 4 deaf adults who were conducting the workshop except when the actual demonstration of signs began. India has a long way to go before empahty becomes an oft-used word. May God lead us in the right direction. Amen!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126803716302088591.post-86755305839052324172007-06-02T09:05:00.001-07:002007-07-06T21:38:13.547-07:00SpeedbreakersWe have identified one instructor for Pune. Now to begin classes.<br /><br />We're hoping for August.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126803716302088591.post-76927995889709164802007-04-26T20:34:00.001-07:002009-04-03T19:38:32.601-07:00Rights and wrongs<a href="http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/rights/ahc5docs/ahc5wfdside.ppt">Em-Power Point-ers</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126803716302088591.post-51781392786880818052007-04-23T04:49:00.001-07:002009-04-03T19:36:14.171-07:00Feedback from a participantRujuta Teradesai attended our workshop and <a href="http://people-n-places.blogspot.com/2007/04/actions-speak-louder-than-words-few.html">THIS</a> is what she has to say.<br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126803716302088591.post-52778583834976176342007-04-23T04:49:00.000-07:002011-07-27T23:05:22.411-07:00Our First workshop..Media and our foot in the door!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFw2zFOlPnApZo2apHnlNHYM9cf8FCNxhzSbZe9keg6_KzZShAl8FfklCPnSs57kD7bZZenaCF3ud2ljP1hoEnjTuhp99x-NG4cSqwgq1nGzSHx4yYXAm-0p8Ipir17mlJ5v0fv7Dips/s1600/Picture+012.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634280313770860274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFw2zFOlPnApZo2apHnlNHYM9cf8FCNxhzSbZe9keg6_KzZShAl8FfklCPnSs57kD7bZZenaCF3ud2ljP1hoEnjTuhp99x-NG4cSqwgq1nGzSHx4yYXAm-0p8Ipir17mlJ5v0fv7Dips/s320/Picture+012.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsC_vSwvxNgPUMQZVfqSh8PjA58ShrUyf3GRSay1t67qTyiETLbdp9rcMPk7xLxiz3YW2XAtUEzW8YWGGLuaIIqfdvLxASXqeVWdeZvwOTG5bQWCSmSjRkzhwkR20ajBLU9zsw5PeR7Y/s1600/Picture+033.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634280305480099506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsC_vSwvxNgPUMQZVfqSh8PjA58ShrUyf3GRSay1t67qTyiETLbdp9rcMPk7xLxiz3YW2XAtUEzW8YWGGLuaIIqfdvLxASXqeVWdeZvwOTG5bQWCSmSjRkzhwkR20ajBLU9zsw5PeR7Y/s320/Picture+033.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTROX4PZepT-yCUYW1cIhclXkK_rpHhDJe7TcKOrapWfhgo7ht8ZAseBTcHjbTz0m0WfKoykIz0ip1ffzBVZWl5iAin4xxgUJP5rK5XryAVNVktAHOHhdV97UqV0zNofYyViDfHkFDXC4/s1600/Picture+021.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634280309477722418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTROX4PZepT-yCUYW1cIhclXkK_rpHhDJe7TcKOrapWfhgo7ht8ZAseBTcHjbTz0m0WfKoykIz0ip1ffzBVZWl5iAin4xxgUJP5rK5XryAVNVktAHOHhdV97UqV0zNofYyViDfHkFDXC4/s320/Picture+021.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzazgsc7hsH7249CPH6etQO0KnwryPtMuzlHIxlNk922-QZPKsAXlW1NRzMVYVb1lcxsErNpAV01jlWIGsR68aDI9VgLmmPmUxojlOU8Kf2xROSb-_E3w_9h_9JeOM2vw_MuUWHKOS1YE/s1600/Picture+043.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634280299611704258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzazgsc7hsH7249CPH6etQO0KnwryPtMuzlHIxlNk922-QZPKsAXlW1NRzMVYVb1lcxsErNpAV01jlWIGsR68aDI9VgLmmPmUxojlOU8Kf2xROSb-_E3w_9h_9JeOM2vw_MuUWHKOS1YE/s320/Picture+043.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=232903">Indian</a> Express and its story<br /><br /><a href="http://www.punewestsideplus.com/fullStory.asp?articleID=PWSP5ART413200721937">Pune</a> News<br /><br /><span style="color:#996633;"><strong><em>It is easy to have dreams...but difficult to realise them. To do that one needs the support of family, friends, wellwishers and God. We, at Avanti!!, got lucky last weekend!</em></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#996633;"><strong><em></em></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#996633;"><strong><em>We had at the workshop, veterans workers for the Deaf like Mrs. Dhun Adenwala, Mrs. Geeta Sanadi, Mrs. Lagu, deaf adults/children with families, hearing youngsters wanting to make a difference and our own team. We also had our duo from AYJIHH Mumbai - Shafique and Tushar.</em></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#996633;"><strong><em></em></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#996633;"><strong><em>It was an emotionally charged weekend...we discussed ignorance, arrogance, apathy and lack of facilities and opportunity - educational and vocational - in India. The deaf came up to share their experiences and there were many in the crowd who broke down and cried. There were plenty of laughs when the instructors began to teach some basic signs and many hearing people signed clumsily. We learnt a lot and by the time the workshop was over, a bond was established between the hearing and the deaf. It was an almost spiritual experience...one we'll carry with us for ever. </em></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#996633;"><strong><em></em></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#996633;"><strong><em>Much needs to be done, we know. But atleast our foot is now firmly in the door.</em></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#996633;"><strong><em></em></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#996633;"><strong><em>Our next logical step is to set up classes in the Sign Language in Pune. We plan to begin in June. Mail us at </em></strong></span><a href="mailto:avanti-pune@hotmail.com"><span style="color:#996633;"><strong><em>avanti-pune@hotmail.com</em></strong></span></a><span style="color:#996633;"><strong><em> if you are interested in reaching out to the world - special and ordinary.</em></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#996633;"><strong><em></em></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#996633;"><strong><em></em></strong></span></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126803716302088591.post-57009128157208586182007-04-09T07:11:00.000-07:002007-04-09T22:19:29.118-07:00Avanti - Direction<div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Avanti!!</span><br /></span></em></strong><br /><span style="color:#999900;">We, at <strong><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Avanti!!</span></em></strong>,<br /><br />Do not argue with conservative methods of dealing with disabilities<br /><br />Do not wish to take on any battle with established ways of dealing with disabilities<br /><br />Wish to erase stigmas attached to disabilities<br /><br />Wish to spread awareness about disabilities and sensitize society to the problems faced by the disabled<br /><br />Wish to eradicate apathy<br /><br />Want society to make an effort to communicate with the disabled using methods THEY find convenient<br /><br />Do NOT want to force society’s idea of ‘normal’ on those who are disabled<br /><br />Want to know what ‘normal’ means and who decides its meaning<br /><br />Want to know why ‘normal’ is superior to ‘special’<br /><br />Want to know which ‘normal’ person would like to be called ‘special’ because of his/her disabilities<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#999900;">We know no change occurs overnight and request your company in this long journey to a better, more sensitive world.<br /></span><br /></strong>Welcome aboard! </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126803716302088591.post-45247495695693325442007-04-07T19:47:00.001-07:002007-04-19T07:52:42.684-07:00The workshop<div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">Avanti!!</span></em></strong> </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666600;">Sign Language Workshop</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666600;"></span></strong></div><p align="center"><em><strong><span style="color:#666600;">Our first Sign language workshop in Pune will be conducted by a certified interpreter trained in Mumbai. She has worked with the hearing impaired for a considerable amount of time and we are proud to have her on our team. We will also be roping in another certified instructor from Mumbai who will take us through the basics of Signing.<br /><br />This will be an introductory workshop for two days over the third weekend of April 2007. Its aim is to introduce the Sign language and its advantages to families and friends of (and also to) hearing impaired children and adults. It is easier for the hearing impaired to sign than to try and speak. We must facilitate better communication with them if we do not want to be denied access to intelligent minds which are struggling to be heard.<br /><br />We live in a country where many different languages are spoken and understood. We also have foreign languages being taught in schools and colleges. We hope to add Braille and the Sign language to the list. </span></strong></em></p><p align="center"><em><strong><span style="color:#333300;"><span style="color:#666600;">Do come.</span><br /></span></strong></em><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#666600;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Avanti!!<br /></span>Workshop dates: 21 & 22 April 2007<br />Timing: 10.30 AM ~ 3.30 PM </span></em></strong><strong><em><span style="color:#666600;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Refreshments will be served at lunch time.)</span> </span></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#666600;">Venue: 434, Clover Center - D, Moledina Road, Pune- 1</span></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#666600;"><br />For further details, please write to</span><span style="color:#999900;">:</span></em></strong><span style="color:#339999;"> <strong></strong></span><a href="mailto:avanti-pune@hotmail.com"><strong><span style="color:#999900;">avanti-pune@hotmail.com</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color:#999900;"> </span></strong></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126803716302088591.post-85493595499181027502007-04-07T19:47:00.000-07:002007-04-07T20:22:35.689-07:00Avanti!! - An introduction<div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong><em><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">Avanti!!</span><br /></span></span><br /></em></strong></span><strong><em><span style="color:#666600;">Come on in! Welcome to a world where you can listen to colors and paint a song…where the only language spoken is that which touches everybody – Love.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Avanti!!</span></em></strong> <strong><em><span style="color:#666600;">is a small team of committed individuals who believe that each of us is special in some way, each of us is different - flawed and perfect at the same time and that the beauty of nature lies in these differences.<br /><br />We want to learn (alongwith others who think like us) to respect our differences instead of trying to erase them….to learn to appreciate what is natural, though it might not fit in with our definition of ‘normal’…to sing new songs and discover new colors alongwith our special friends.<br /><br />We do not want to inconvenience them by asking them to learn our languages…we want to learn to speak theirs, so that we can trade stories and laugh together…to be as special to them as they are to us, so that we have a world which is truly without borders.<br /><br />Come on in, lets all discover this beautiful world together. </span></em></strong></div><p><strong><em><span style="color:#666600;"> </p><div align="center"><br /></span></em></strong><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3