प्रकाशित मितिः- २०८१ फागुन ५

यस संघलाई सन् २०२५ का लागि स्टेशनरी, ब्रेल कागज लगायतका सामग्री आवश्यक परेको हूँदा सो सम्बन्धि सामग्रीहरु आपूर्ति गर्न चाहने इच्छुक व्यवसायी तथा आपूर्तिकर्ताहरुले आ-आफ्नो सामग्रीको दरभाउ खुलाई सूचना प्रकाशित मितिले १५ दिन भित्र संघको इमेलः [email protected]  मा पठाउनका लागि सूचित गरिन्छ ।

साथै सो सम्बन्धि सामग्रीको विस्तृत विवरण यस संघको Web site: www.nabnepal.org हेर्नुहुन समेत जानकारी गराइन्छ ।

List of Necessary items

• 140 GSM Parchment Papers
• 150 GSM Cardboard Papers
• A4 Size 80 GSM Photocopy Paper
• DCP 1510 series Brother & Canon 300 printer & Photocopy machine tonner
• Desktop, Laptop, Printer & Photocopy machine maintenance
• Stationery items (Index File, Pencil, Clear Bag, Different size Stapler & Stitch Pin, Ring File, Nepali file, Pilot Pen, Bulb pens (Black, Blue & green), Markar (Permanente & Temporary), cartoon & binding tapes, Glue sticks Divider etc.
• Mouse & Keyboard Battery
• Drinking water Jar

On the occasion of the 32nd Anniversary of the Nepal Association of the Blind, an open oratory competition on the topic "The Role of Blind Individuals in the Development of the Association" was organized among visually impaired individuals within the Kathmandu Valley on January 21, 2025 (8th Magh 2081).

The event was graced by the presence of Mr. Deepak Koirala, the founding president of the Nepal Association of the Blind, as the chief guest. Eight participants (two men and six women) with visual disabilities delivered excellent presentations in the competition.

The names of the participants are as follows:

• Tapendra Bohara: First Place Winner
• Ajita Devkota: Second Place Winner
• Binita Satar: Third Place Winner
• Digambar Das: Fourth Place Winner
• Januka Khanal: Participant
• Paushara Aidi: Participant
• Aiti Maya Tamang: Participant
• Wasana Paudel: Participant

Additionally, certificates were distributed to computer trainees who had completed their training with the association in 2024.

The Nepal Association of the Blind expresses its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contributed, supported, and provided leadership in ensuring the organization's success over the past 32 years.

On November 22nd, 2023, NAB successfully organized a workshop on “Tactile Graphics,” facilitated by Prof. Boguslaw ‘Bob’ Marek, Ph.D., OBE, and Mr. Marcin Matys from Hungry Fingers, Poland. The workshop was attended by 14 participants, including 10 blind and visually impaired individuals. The training covered various types of tactile graphics, such as Thermoforming, Swell Paper, UV Printing, Thermographic Powder Technology, and Embossing Film, and included practical sessions to enhance participants' understanding.

The participants showed immense enthusiasm for learning these techniques and emphasized the importance of conducting such workshops more frequently, as tactile graphics are critical for the education and skill development of blind and visually impaired individuals.

NAB extends its heartfelt gratitude to Prof. Bob and Mr. Marcin for dedicating their valuable time to share their expertise, as well as to all the participants, volunteers, and supporters who contributed to the success of the program.

With the goal of promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and ensuring their full participation in society, Joint Efforts for Inclusive Development (JEID) program will be implemented from 2025 to 2029. The program aims to remove attitudinal, physical, social, legal, and institutional barriers that limit the opportunities of persons with disabilities, guided by the motto "Nothing about us without us." The program will be implemented across five thematic areas: human rights and organization development, inclusive education, economic empowerment, health and rehabilitation, and inclusive climate change adaptation. All These thematic areas will be led by organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) in consortium partnership with I/NGOs. The consortium consists of 13 partners, including 7 Nepali and 6 Norwegian organizations. 

JEID will be implemented across all 7 provinces of Nepal, covering 27 districts and 72 municipalities. The program will collaborate with 36 schools to create inclusive environments that ensure access to quality education for learner with disabilities. 

The program is currently in the planning phase. NAB is leading the consortium in Nepal, while the Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted (NABP) is leading the consortium in Norway. Five thematic groups have been formed within this program. NAB will lead Economic Empowerment and Health and Rehabilitation, PFPID will lead Inclusive Education, and NFDN will lead Human Rights, Organization Development, and Climate Change Adaptation. The Country Coordinator will oversight and strategic direction for these thematic leads. 

Additionally, the Monitoring and Evaluation team and the Country Program Committee, will ensure that each aspect of the program runs smoothly and meets its objectives. This consortium of OPDs and I/NGOs represents an innovative approach in Nepal and will play a key role in mainstreaming disability within I/NGOs. 

In Nepal, NABP collaborates with Nepal Association of the Blind (NAB) to implement initiatives focused on NAB organizational strengthening, and rehabilitation programs aiming to improved socio-economic status, education and health of blind and partially sighted (BPS) people through service delivery and advocacy. This program has been implemented since 1998 to till date.  

The program mainly covers four thematic areas: 

Human Rights and Organizational Development: 

Under this thematic area, NAB conducts need based capacity development training to the blind and partially sighted leaders, human rights education, awareness and advocacy campaigns, expansion of NAB branches by mobilizing the trained leaders having mentorship skills.  

Inclusive Education: 

Under this thematic area NAB conducts school enrollment, provide support to appropriate learning materials, conduct need-based teacher training, advocacy for educational policy formulation and implementation, monitoring of the resource schools, provide orientation to the local authorities and school management, Parent counselling  for schooling blind and partially sighted children.  

Health and Rehabilitation: 

It is one of the key components of community-based rehabilitation programs (CBR), empowerment and inclusion programs. It includes Basic Rehabilitation services (counselling, orientation & mobility (O&M), Life skill training), mobile eye screening camps and Cataract surgery. Basic Rehabilitation services are provided to the Blind and Visually impaired clients to their own home by the trained field staffs. While the eye health services are provided in the community in collaboration with Local eye hospitals and Local government. So far, NAB has examined the eyesight of 60,000 people and performed 12,500 cataract surgeries free of cost at 12 districts (Bardiya, Dang,  Kapilbastu, Rupandedhi, Nawalpur, Parasi, Chitwan, Makwanpur, Mahottari, Gorkha, Dhanding and Tanahu). These services were provided after the door-to-door survey.  

Economic Empowerment: 

• Many studies have shown that most of the blind and partially sighted individuals are deprived of economic opportunities. NAB employment record shows that very few of them have access to formal wages. The government does not have regular skill development sector targeting blind and partially sighted persons. Rights of Person with disabilities act 2017, mandates that: 

•  persons with disabilities should be provided with equal access to employment opportunities without discrimination. Employers must not deny employment solely based on disability, A quota system reserves at least 5% of government jobs for persons with disabilities. This aims to ensure representation in the public sector and increase workforce participation,  

• Employers are required to make reasonable accommodations and adjustments in the workplace, such as accessible facilities, technologies, and resources, to enable persons with disabilities to work effectively. 

• Recruitment processes must be accessible, with fair assessment criteria that consider the specific needs of persons with disabilities. 

• prohibits discrimination or mistreatment in the workplace based on disability, ensuring fair treatment and protection of employment rights. 

Project offices besides Central Office: 

• Kanchanpur in Sudurpachim Province 
• Sunsari in Koshi Province 
• Gorkha and Tanahu in Gandaki Province 
• Dhading in Bagmati Province 

1. Background 

The Nepal Association of the Blind (NAB) and the Danish Association of the Blind (DAB) have been working in a partnership since 2020. Thus far, the partners have carried out two projects: a one-year pilot collaboration which ran from July 2020 to July 2021, followed by a three-year project titled “HP 317-278 Empowerment and Inclusion of BPS Persons in Nepal”.  

Project onset was in August 2021 and it is scheduled to conclude at the end of July 2024. The total budget allocated was DKK 2.999.594. The expected long-term impact is that “Blind and Partially Sighted (BPS) persons in Nepal have access to rights and services on equal terms as other citizens”. Three outcomes are envisaged: (i) Outcome 1: the NAB organisational structure is further developed and new municipal branches are capacitated to function as active and democratic levels of the NAB organisation.  (ii) Outcome 2: NAB branches are supporting their members in accessing services and opportunities (financial and political) and (iii) Outcome 3: Strategic duty bearers are addressing relevant BPS issues politically and financially. The project operates through an office in Surkhet since the pilot phase, with outreach to 15 municipalities in four districts (Surkhet, Dailekh, Jajarkot, Salyan). Project interventions include data collection on Blind and Partially Sighted (BPS) persons , organising them into municipal branches and providing training on issues such as orientation & mobility (O&M), daily living skills (DLS), community-based rehabilitation, basic leadership, fundraising, organisational development, advocacy, mentorship and financial management. In addition, there are Income-Generating Activities (IGAs), such as selling soap, dry snacks, phenyl, others. Finally, the project includes advocacy towards municipal authorities and representation in the local Disability Coordination Committees.  

2. Effectiveness 

Six of the eight outcome indicators have made satisfactory progress. 

Regarding the first outcome (NAB’s organisational structure is developed), two out of three outcome indicators saw satisfactory progress. One target has “partly satisfactory progress”: while the target was to produce two documents (as part of a handbook), four have been prepared, among others, information and communication guidelines, microproject planning, and the mentorship manual and advocacy toolkits. However, not all documents are yet known or used broadly by the relevant municipal/national structure. Two targets were achieved: 15 of NAB’s 53 municipal branches have been formed under this project (including the pilot project). All of them have elected boards – which was the target. Also, 13 branches now mentor each other (the target was that five branches would mentor five new branches), although according to the new Mentorship Manual, the approach to this matter is about to be changed 

Regarding the second outcome (“NAB branches support members to access services”), two of three outcome indicators have made satisfactory progress. A total of 104 blind and partially sighted (BPS) persons accessed economic opportunities (the target was 100). Further, 426 (47.7% women) BPS persons are participating in the current project (769 if the pilot project is included, with 46% being women). Of these, 73% have received an ID card and 68% have a social security allowance (the target was 40% for each of these). On the other hand, only eight NAB municipal branch members were able to access local schemes (the target was 60), so this is unsatisfactory.  

As for the third outcome (Strategic duty bearers are addressing relevant BPS issues politically), the two outcome indicators are by and large satisfactory: 11 municipalities have BPS members on the disability coordination committee (the target was 10), although not all got there with support from the project. There is an indicator regarding whether NAB is recognized as the legitimate representative of BPS. The current situation is that duty bearers in 15 project municipalities (the target number) have been in contact with NAB branches/or members regarding the disability card. At national level, NAB has very good contact with key ministries and their departments. While formally satisfactory overall, there is one (sub-)target that is important and was not reached, namely to have five of the priorities listed by NAB branches included in the municipal budget (“Red Book”) (status is zero). Of the 18 output indicators, the status of 7 is “satisfactory”, 7 are considered “partly satisfactory”, and 4 are found to be “not satisfactory.”  

3. Efficiency 

Costs-inputs: Costs for salaries, project expenses and allowances are within reasonable limits. Of the total expenditure in Nepal, 89% of the budget was spent on project actions and activities, and 11% on its administration. This indicates a modest level of expenditure on administrative matters. Cost-outcome: The investments in IGA groups should lead to access to economic opportunities and improved living conditions for BPS. However, almost half the members have dropped out, so there is a need to adjust the model.  

Set-up: Overall, project management has been set up as planned. In Nepal, staff in Kathmandu includes a director (33% of his salary is paid by the project), an accountant (31%) and a programme officer (35%). A full-time team of seven persons (a project coordinator and six social mobilizers, supported by an administrative officer and driver), who are based in Surkhet and the municipalities, implement the project. In general, the project staff is doing a good job. The work of the social mobilisers is highly appreciated and the local coordinator is committed to organising the interventions. However, the project has been affected by high turnover among key staff, as well as the passing of the previous director. There seems to be a need for strengthening coordination between Kathmandu and project interventions. This could be done by carrying out the envisaged monthly meetings and visits to the field. 

4. Sustainability 

The sustainability of the municipal branches is not yet guaranteed. In order to be able to continue some of the activities, it is crucial to increase organisational and advocacy capacity, as well as to forge links to the municipal local governments, so they can access resources. The SMs may be the best positioned to identify key persons at municipal level that can continue the branch activities. While some training is sustainable (O&M, DLS), other, more complex training (advocacy, leadership management) needs follow-up. Many activities focus on IGA, and it is also important that IGA does not “shadow” for the organisational development process of local NAB branches. 

The IGA provide a contribution to income, help the branch to offer a service to members and bring branch members together, as well as showing the Nepali people that BPS can be productive members of society. However, for most of the IGA groups, the model should be adapted in such a way as to increase their sustainability and to ensure members earn more than 1.25 USD per day (UN upper limit for extreme poverty). It is assumed that having such an income would contribute to members beginning to escape the extreme poverty trap. Fundraising is a key element for sustainability. Income diversification of income is key for sustainability of both the IGA groups and the branches. The latter should continue presenting proposals to and possibly suggest MoU with i) the municipal government and corresponding wards, who can provide different types of support (financial, in-kind, equipment, land, etc.; ii) the Provincial government; iii) NGOs (SAC Nepal, KIRDARC). In addition, other sources are iv) income from sales of products; v) private companies; and vi) contributions from citizens and members in support of the branch.  

5. IGA 

There were a total of 195 BPS members (46% female) enrolled in IGA. Of these, 75 have been involved since the pilot project, whereas the remaining 120 (56% female) joined once the project per se got underway (60 in the first year and another 60 in the second year of the project). Among the 195 IGA members, 91 (47%) dropped out (57 members in the pilot phase and 34 in the regular project period). The main reasons given for this dropout rate were i) a high level of dependency on partially sighted persons to steer the business who later migrate to India or other places in search of better earning opportunities; ii) geographical remoteness (it may take up to six hours travel time to attend group meetings); and iii) poor market opportunities (for example, noodle production in the Bheriganga and Chingadh IGA groups). Several other challenges were mentioned. 

The pilot phase members and first-year IGA members, and even more recent IGA group members, are found to have moved on to individualised businesses. Average per capita daily income was found to be US$1.32/day, the range being from the lowest, at US$0.5 (at the meat store in Gurans municipality, and Phenyl business, Narayan municipality, Dailekh district) to the highest, at US$ 3.27 (the highest, a petty vendor in Panchapuri). Income earned through the IGA groups have been very important for members, mainly because it helps solve their daily livelihood issues, have some pocket money, or buy school utensils for their children. Those IGA members with the best incomes now felt their daily life has improved and most IGA members found that their social position too is now better. They are perceived as “members of society” who can actually be productive and make things, not only for themselves but also to help their families. All IGA members found it to be a fair practice to repay the first 6 months 50% of income to the Branch Committee. Market assessments for IGA have been made. However, these need to be improved in terms of assessing actual market demand and absorption of particular products (e.g. for bamboo stool production). 

6. Mentorship approach 

The mentorship model involves two municipal branches who agree to share what they have learnt (or to receive a visit from a person or persons living in another municipality). Generally, it is a good idea to learn from each other. Several branches have already had such exchanges. A new mentorship manual has been prepared, and two training events, one for NAB Karnali province, district and municipal branch members and NAB/DAB project staff in November 2023 and another for NAB board members and NAB central staff and NAB rehab project staff in March 2024 for the purpose of presenting the mentorship manual and to provide ideas and knowledge about mentoring. 

There are some good examples of branches learning from each other, for instance, how to access municipalities when investments are considerable; issues concerning fundraising; and marketing strategies. On the other hand, there are also many branches whose members cannot indicate exactly how the mentorship exchange has been useful for them, or how they have used it, although their response to the idea of holding these events is positive.  

Other gaps: If a new project/programme is formulated, some gaps that need to be bridged may be considered. There does not seem to have been any training on gender, despite the slight bias found in the training (a few more men than women). Some income-generating groups consist solely of men, as “women are more in charge of households”. There also seem to have been little training on disability rights (although there was training on the UNCRPD in general). This is important for the advocacy.  

Training could also be more pedagogically oriented and practical. 

DAB and NAB have used OCTAGON once as an assessment tool. It can also be used going forward to identify issues to be addressed in each municipality. Further, NAB as an institution has not an overall M&E set-up, which is done on a project-by-project basis. NAB is currently preparing a new strategy. It will be important to include lessons learnt from the project (for example a revised IGA model, the use of the mentorship model, etc.). 

7. Conclusions  

The project has been “moderately satisfactory”, having reached an acceptable portion of outcomes and output. There is still a need to both reach some of the targets not yet achieved and consolidate results further. The IGA model has not been entirely successful, as a little less than half of its members have dropped out. There is therefore a need to adjust the model if it is to be replicated elsewhere. Further, it seems that IGA has shadowed for the organisational development process of local NAB branches. However, IGA should only be one of the NAB branch priorities. Others could be education, advocacy for rights, accessibility, and so on, in line with the UNCRPD/Disability Act.  

Nabina Shrestha is a 29 years old lady living in ShuklaGandaki-7, Shantinagar, Tanahun. She was born in 1992. Her father's name is Ram Kumar Shrestha and   Chameli Shrestha is the mother.   They are poor farmer. They don’t have regular source of income. Father had been working in a government School as a peon. He has been retired because of the age limit without pension. Nabina is the youngest daughter among five. 

She is the congenital blind. She has little vision in her right eye and NPL in other. She was taken to eye hospital for treatment. But it was late according to Doctor.  Due to the poor financial condition of the family, Nabina’s eye could not be checked up in time. Later, it was too delay so her treatment could not be done. 

 After that, father admitted her in the community school  where  he used to work. But it wasn’t really easy for her to study in that school due to inaccessible environment for the BPS student. Having this difficulty, her father took her  to one of the   integrated school for the blind   in Devghat for the admission which is 108 km. far away from her house. After a year, she left the school because of the long distance. It used to be happen the problem at the time of vacation. She continued her study in the previous school. She appeared the S.L.C examination in 2015 but, she couldn’t pass the exam. 

Ms. Mina Hamal an Enumerator of NAB, Rehabilitation Program, met her at home on October 2020 during the disability household Survey. She was found to be frustrated and depressed.  “She wanted to continue her study and to become an   able lady in the days to come. But, there was nobody to show her path. She was looking for the opportunity” says, Nabina.  

Parents were also worried about her future. Parents wanted to have solution.  

After the interview, enumerator Ms. Mina contacted to office about Nabina’s issues. Office suggested to Mina to do counseling for continuing education.  

In line with the suggestion, Mina went back to Nabina for the counseling.  Both Nabina and parents were ready to continue the school. But they wanted nearer school so that they should not spend much time and money as before for coming and going during the vacation.  

Office therefore, established contact to Amar Singh secondary school an integrated school for the blind which is 37 km. from her home town.  School took it positively.   

Finally, Nabina got   enrollment in Amar Singh Secondary School, Pokhara. Now she is very happy to study there.   She is enjoying with her blind peer.  

According to the teacher, Nabina seems energetic for study. She is progressing day-by-day.   

Her peers say, Nabina is friendly and cooperative.  

Parents express happiness to have been new life by Nabina.  

In the conclusion, Where is will, there is a way. Age never creates the obstacle for the progress. Person him or herself should be readiness for the change.  

Ms. Parbati Kumal is a married blind women of 45 years old. She is from Tripurasundari Rural Municipality ward no 2 Dhading. She became a blind after 5-6 years of birth due to eye pain. She could not go to hospital for her eye check-up. Because, her parents didn't care her situation that time and thought that it will be cured itself.  Due to the negligence of her parents, she lost her vision at 6 years of old.  Beside this, she lost her beloved mother after sometime in a young age tragically. After that, her father got second married and left her to die alone. Luckily, she survived with support of neighbors.  Life was not so easy for Ms. Parbati for her survive in a young age. She used to work in neighbor's home for survive.  

She got married with a blind person when she was 16 years old. Both, they were struggling their life to survive themselves with many ups and down.  After some years, she gave birth one daughter and two sons. They had really a challenged to take care after their children and education. They had economic problem. They have been living just hand to mouth from many years. Meanwhile, after the intervention of NAB Rehabilitation Programme in the District she was found for the first time during the disability household survey in 2020 by enumerator Ms Sarita Shrestha in desolate condition. Later, she received DLS, counseling, orientation and mobility training by field staff Ms. Rita Bhatta Ghimire. She used to walk surroundings but she had no idea to walk with white cane before this. Due to her poor economic condition, she decided to take seed fund loan for animal husbandry from NAB Rehab Programme. But she had no idea to start the animal farming business therefore, she was participated in animal husbandry training organized by NAB Rehab Programme and very happy to be learnt ideas and skills gradually. Finally, she took seed fund loan and kept two pigs. Now she can take care the animals herself.  She and her husband had already disability card so they receive monthly disability allowance from the Nepal government which assist to survive their life. Now they have increased their income source by keeping animal farming. She also works in the own backyards from morning to evening to grow the seasonal vegetables. Now she can keep her body neat and tidy herself.   

At present, she is also a member of Dhading Association of the Blind (DAB). She participates in the meetings, trainings and share her thoughts with members and participants. She is assistant secretary of Tripurasundari too. She is a coordinator of Blind Awakening Self-help Group too. She is very happy to see herself in this position today and would like to express her gratitude and thank towards NAB Rehabilitation Programme and entire team. She says that she will also support the BPS persons like me who are in the worst situation and never give up to fight with bad situation in the days to come. Once again, she says that she is really very happy to be an able blind lady.  

                                         Ms. Parbati is taking care of pigs in the animal farm.   

                                           Animal farming business of Ms. Parbati Kumal  

Nepal Association of the Blind (NAB) organized a one-day workshop on inclusive education in Kathmandu on November 14, 2024. The event aimed to raise awareness about the challenges faced by students with visual impairments and explore solutions to make education more accessible. It was attended by over 50 participants, including teachers, school administrators, policymakers, and disability advocates.

The sessions focused on topics such as integrating Braille into mainstream curricula, using assistive technologies in classrooms, and training educators to be more inclusive. Panel discussions also highlighted the need for collaboration between government agencies and non-governmental organizations to address policy gaps.

A participant from the education sector noted, “Workshops like this help us better understand the needs of students with disabilities and inspire us to make positive changes in our teaching practices.”

NAB expressed its continued commitment to improving educational opportunities for visually impaired students and announced plans to conduct similar workshops in other provinces in the coming months.

Nepal Association of the Blind (NAB) organized a free health screening camp in Lalitpur on November 11, 2024, as part of its health and wellness initiative for the visually impaired community. The camp offered eye check-ups, general health consultations, and free medications to over 200 individuals.

A team of experienced doctors, nurses, and volunteers provided personalized consultations and medical advice during the camp. The program also included awareness sessions on maintaining general health and preventing common illnesses. Participants were highly appreciative of the initiative, as it addressed a critical gap in accessible healthcare services for blind and visually impaired individuals.

This health camp was supported by local health authorities and community organizations. NAB plans to organize similar camps in other districts to expand access to healthcare and promote the well-being of blind individuals across the country.