S Datrange
Institution, Mumbai office, Mumbai, India
For India's 28 million persons with Low Vision, exciting prospects are in store, in terms of more comprehensive clinical and rehabilitation care. The conference on Low Vision organized by the National Association for the Blind in 1998 was a turning point. The all India Plan of Action was the result of these deliberations. In addition to the 22 Low Vision Centres which existed prior to 1998, 9 additional full fledged Centres have since been established with the help of Government of India, on the basis of the model scheme prepared by experts. 16 cities in 14 States of India will have atleast one Low Vision Centre soon. Likewise, 11 courses for training of professionals were organized by leading L.V Agencies in Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai. Of these 6 programmes were for those in Clinical L.V. practice and 5 were for educators and rehabilitation personnel. It is estimated that approximately 150 L.V. professionals may have benefited because of these training courses some of which are already part of regular/ongoing HRD activity of the agencies concerned. Besides, a number of conferences, seminars and workshops on low vision were held in different parts of the country during the preceding 3 year period - a clear indication of the emergence of Low Vision Rehabilitation discipline in India.
Research activities witnessed development of aspheric lenses of different magnification capability which were hitherto imported. Education and rehabilitation theories in L.V. are being tested empirically . Likewise many innovative projects are being launched as new experiments. Networking is particularly strong both at agency level and at the level of individual professionals. India will be happy to share her experience/expertise with countries world-wide by deputing a team of master trainers where their services are most needed.
The country is all excited at the new challenges and opportunities in Low Vision that lie ahead.
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