10th December 2024 –Alcon, the global leader in eye care, in association with Sightsavers India, has helped visually impaired children in the Bankura district of West Bengal. This association between Sightsavers and Alcon India is part of the ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities..
As part of the Inclusive Education Programme of Sightsavers India, the Block Resource Centre (BRC), a government space where children with special needs come to study, was renovated. The BRC is accessible to maximise participation, and Bankura was selected as it has the highest population of 543 children with visual impairment, making it a crucial area of focus. Representatives from Alcon, Shourav Das Senior Manager, Practice Development, and Sightsavers India, Sayanti Bit, Manager, Corporate Partnerships, and Sampa Paul, State Programme Lead, West Bengal, were present during the event.
The BRC is often established to provide support, materials, and expertise to meet the diverse needs of students, including those with disabilities or special educational needs. The BRC will also serve as a central hub for engagement and capacity building, playing a key role in sensitizing government officials, teachers, and other stakeholders to the importance of inclusive education and the effective use of assistive technology. This comprehensive approach ensures that visually impaired students receive the support they need to thrive in their educational pursuits.
Under this initiative, assistive devices such as low-vision tools, mobiles, and laptops are provisioned free of cost to 60 children with visual impairments thus, ensuring they have the necessary tools to succeed in their educational journey. The children, aged 3-18 years old, were selected from low vision screening camps, which Sightsavers India jointly conducted with the government, and were enrolled in government schools, graded according to the government examination system.
These devices are crucial in bridging the gap between children with visual impairment and their peers, allowing them to access learning materials more effectively and independently. Along with catering to the needs of the visually impaired, there will be separate training provided to the teachers, staff members, and family members on how best to support the children’s special needs. All devices and training are provided free of cost. At times, other materials like games and activity-based learning materials are also handed out.
Amar Vyas, Country Head of Alcon India, added, “We at Alcon are honoured to be a part of this initiative, which aligns with our commitment to help people see brilliantly. By providing these assistive devices and supporting the Block Resource Centre, we are happy to help the children with visual impairments in Bankura have access to the education they deserve. It’s a privilege to work alongside Sightsavers India to advance such an important cause, and we look forward to seeing the lasting benefits this collaboration will bring.”
RN Mohanty, CEO of Sightsavers India, on the occasion, said, “The inauguration of the Block Resource Centre and the provision of assistive devices in Bankura represent a critical step forward in our mission to make education accessible to all. By providing children with visual impairment with the necessary tools we are enabling inclusion of the students in mainstream education, stand on equal footing with their peers and achieve their full potential. Our collaboration with Alcon demonstrates the impact that strong partnerships can have in driving meaningful change.”