National Association for the Blind (India) (NAB)

National Association for the Blind, India (NAB) offers services that are vital to the socioeconomic rehabilitation and all-round development of visually challenged individuals including: prevention and cure of blindness, education, rehabilitation, vocational training, employment and self-employment opportunities, recreation and much more.

NAB is successful in launching a wide range of services for the visually challenged not just in Mumbai and its adjoining areas but across the country, through a vast network of its departments and activities.

Major Programs are:

Braille Press and Talking Books: NAB started the braille press in 1958 with machinery received in donation from the American Foundation for Overseas Blind. NAB Braille press is one of the largest Braille production units in the country. Braille press also publishes general literature, fiction and non-fiction in five languages i.e. Marathi, Hindi, English, Gujarati and Sanskrit. NAB has introduced a full-fledged centre for production and distribution of educational and recreational literature for the blind, by establishing the Talking Book Studios and Library.

Vocational Training: NAB started the NAB IDBI Polytechnic providing on the job advanced training in engineering and mass production techniques to visually challenged youth. Some of the courses offered here are general machine operators and computer courses. The NAB Department of Employment provides gainful occupation to Visually Impaired individuals through their placement in Open Employment or by offering them the support for Self-Employment.

Education: NAB provides school and college going blind children support services in the form of scholarships, free distribution of braille kits along with Brailler and other assistive devices, volunteer reading services, science laboratories, aids and equipment, etc. It also has a training centre for Teachers of Visually handicapped. They have partnered with local voluntary organizations and initiated education for visually challenged children through Integrated Education where in the blind children residing with their families can attend the school nearest to them.

Prevention of Blindness: NAB provides eye care services to people belonging to under privileged section of society. They initiated projects to detect and treat glaucoma, cataract and conjunctivitis and provide medication and spectacles to children living in the slums and those attending municipal schools. In collaboration with Reliance Industries, they initiated project “Drishti”, which carries cornea transplant surgeries. The department has organized multiple Eye Screening Camps at various places, post pandemic of COVID-19.

Rehabilitation: NAB also facilitates the rehabilitation, confidence building of the visually impaired, with training in courses such as general machine operation, candle making, physiotherapy, acupressure and massage etc. The courses are meant for both the congenitally and newly blind. Intensive training is offered in basics of life, home management, Physical education, Braille and Social graces along with Orientation & Mobility which enables the visually impaired beneficiaries to rebuilt their lost confidence, discovering their own strengths and competences.

Additionally, the NGO also works towards social causes like Advocacy for Visually Impaired (VI), Women Empowerment, Employment, etc.