Pahal Foundation’s workshop to sensitize parents about deaf children

Parents are supposed to provide love, security, affection and care to their child irrespective of a child’s abilities and disabilities. Parenting a deaf child can be challenging particularly if the parents can hear. Not being aware of the needs of the child and failing to create a communication bond remains a major hurdle between hearing parents and deaf children. Pahal Foundation aims to bridge this gap through sensitization programs specially designed for parents.

Pahal Foundation is based in Parbhani, Maharashtra and has been working to empower and guide the deaf community. The organization is starting a series of workshops that will focus on spreading awareness and sensitization amongst parents about taking care of deaf children.

Deaf children are lagging behind as they are not taught sign language at any early age. Not getting proper education makes it hard for deaf youth to get good jobs and lead a better life. We want to change the way people think about their deaf children. We will be carrying out these workshops in remote areas to create awareness and provide opportunity for parents to seek support. – Aniket Selgaonkar, Founder, Pahal Foundation

When a deaf is born, parents go through an emotionally stressful period. Getting a timely diagnoses, recognizing the issue, accepting and moving on are some of the steps of the journey that parents have to go through. While in cities it is easier to access health care facilities and medical guidance, parts of remote India are still not well equipped.

A deaf child can be taught sign language to communicate with others but it can only be effective if parents also learn the sign language. There is still a huge shortage of accessible educational facilities for deaf children and it is impacting thousands of deaf children in India and their future prospects.

In some families, a deaf child may be ignored or kept aloof by the family for want of clear communication medium. The lack of involvement in family activities and affection can have an adverse effect on the mental health of the child.

“The birth of a deaf child is not celebrated by most hearing parents. The stigma of society, expectations of family and relatives make it hard for the parents to accept the disability of the child. This not only disturbs the peace and happiness of the family but also hampers the proper growth of the child. I have experienced similar situations growing up as society does not offer support to deaf children. Now the perceptions about me have changed and I get respect and recognition from the deaf community and even from others,” says Pradeep More, Co-founder Pahal Foundation

Pahal Foundation understands that change in society can only begin by changing mindsets of parents and families through awareness programs and workshops. One such sensitization workshop will be held on 1 December in Satara.

Parents are welcome to be a part of the workshop where a lot of sensitive topics will be touched upon. The sensitization workshop is a great opportunity for parents to understand more about the needs of deaf children and also get the much needed guidance and support from the deaf community.

It will also be an opportunity to meet other parents and get to know about their lives, struggles and coping strategies about positive parenting.

To know more about the workshop you can write email to infopahal2018@gmail.com

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