Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan), is one of the apex National Institutes working for the rehabilitation of persons with speech and hearing disabilities across India. It is an autonomous body under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India. Human resource development, clinical activities, Outreach & Extension services, Research are some of the main objectives of the institute. As part of the clinical services, AYJNISHD(D) provides early diagnosis and intervention services for persons with hearing impairment / speech-language disorders, for all the age groups. The Institute uses state-of-art technology to prevent, identify hearing loss in infant and young children. It also provides comprehensive educational intervention, vocational guidance, counselling and referral services to persons with speech and hearing disabilities through its eight departments. In order to reach out the services in various parts of the country, AYJNISHD (D) has its regional centres located at Kolkata, Noida, Janla (Odisha) and Secundrabad. There are also CRCs in Bhopal and Ahmedabad under its administrative control.
SOME OF THE NEW INITIATIVES:
- Cochlear Implantation of children with hearing impairment under the ADIP scheme of DEPwD under MSJ&E, Govt. of India.
- Distribution of Digital Programmable Behind the Ear Hearing Aids under ADIP scheme for the benefit of persons with hearing disability with 100/50% subsidy
- 186 hospitals empanelled by AYJNISHD (D) for the Cochlear Implant surgery in India.
- So far 1884 CI surgeries have been undertaken with 100% subsidy. All the children have been given free post-operative rehabilitation services for a period of two years.
- A special focus has been made for catering to the differential rehabilitation needs of the persons with speech and hearing disabilities in the North East States.
- Skill development programs have been launched for persons with speech and hearing disabilities in addition to short term training and vocational activities.
- Disability Information Line (DIL) with pan India reach through localized information on all the disabilities in Hindi/English and regional languages are available through toll-free telephone numbers.
Human Resource Development for Empowerment of Persons with Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan)
It is the endeavour of the Institute to create professionally equipped persons in the country to meet the existing demand to the empowerment of persons with disabilities. In this connection, the institute has undertaken Human Resource Development through various RCI approved and University/Board affiliated programs. These include graduate and undergraduate programs as listed below:
PhD -Special Education
-Speech and Hearing
Masters -Special Education (HI)
-Speech & Language Pathology
-Audiology
Bachelor -Special Education (HI)
-Audiology, Speech & Language Pathology
Diploma -Special Education (HI)
-Indian Sign Language (ISL)
-Hearing Language and Speech
Certificate -Computer Software
-Basic Animation
-Desk Top Publishing
THE BIRTH AND GROWTH OF THE INSTITUTE:
Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan) (AYJNISHD(D)) was established on 9th August 1983. It is an autonomous organization under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Government of India, New Delhi. The Institute is located at Bandra (West), Mumbai – 400 050. It has grown in stature, accolades and achievements while bringing a diversity of translational research and innovation to the reach of the common man in India. It has grown in stature by reaching its quality services in various parts of the country through regional, composite and district centres in collaboration with local district authorities.
Regional Centres of the Institute have been established at Kolkata (1984), New Delhi (1986), Secundarabad (1986) and Bhubaneshwar (1986- in association with Government of Orissa). These are centres aimed at meeting the local and regional needs in terms of manpower development and services. Regional Centre at New Delhi has been shifted to Noida in 2015 and Regional centre at Bhubaneswar has been shifted to Janla in 2008.
The District Disability Rehabilitation Centre (DDRCs) under Gramin Punarvasan Yojana (GPY) a programme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India was started in the year 2000. The objective of the programme is to provide total rehabilitation to persons with sensory (hearing and vision), physical and mental disabilities.
Under this programme, 24 DDRCs were allotted to AYJNISHD(D). All the 24 DDRCs, on completion of successful establishment and running for three years, are handed over to State Governments/District Administration/NGOs in respective districts.
Composite Regional Center (CRC), Bhopal is a service model initiated by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India, established on 14th August 2000. The Center is functioning under the administrative control of AYJNISHD(D) since February 2006. One more CRC at Ahmedabad, Gujarat was established on 16th August 2011 and this CRC is also functioning under the administrative control of AYJNISHD(D).
OBJECTIVES OF THE INSTITUTE
The objectives of the Institute are sevenfold. They are as follows:
- Human Resource Development to deal with the various aspects of rehabilitation of the persons with speech & Hearing disabilities, various undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level programmes are being offered.
- Research & Development in the areas of identification, intervention,remediation, educational approaches, remedial teaching methods, tool development, speech & Language assessment and technology development have been carried out.
- Educational Programmes by studying the existing school for the deaf & Hard of Hearing, curriculum followed, methods of teaching etc. and supplementing or strengthening them by way of improving existing educational facilities and developing new strategies wherever required, newer measures such as an open school for the educationally disadvantaged is being conducted as a model activity.
- Service Facilities Diagnostic and fitment of amplification devices by using the standard procedures and through strategies for early identification and rehabilitative procedures are being carried out.
- Community Programme in Identification and intervention, homebound training, correspondence training and also telerehabilitation services are being rendered and evolved with emerging needs.Out reach and extension programmes like camps are conducted at regular intervals across the country
- Material Development that is required for (a) education, like teaching aids, audiovisuals etc. (b) public awareness and community education, literacy programmes for adult Hearing Impaired, Parent Counseling and Programme for strengthening voluntary organisations using digital and non-digital technologyfilms and audio visuals on vocational training and job placement, etc. are being developed.
- Information and Documentation is done to for disseminating the latest information and developments in the science of hearing, speech and related technology is being done.
VISION & MISSION OF THE INSTITUTE
The Memorandum of Association of AYJNISHD(D) has the following aims and objectives:
(a) To conduct, sponsor, coordinate or subsidize research into all aspects of education and rehabilitation of the persons with hearing impairment.
(b) To undertake, sponsor, coordinate or subsidize research into bio-medical engineering leading to the effective evaluation of aids or suitable surgical or medical procedures or development of new aids.
(c) To undertake or sponsor the training of trainees, teachers, employment officers, psychologists, vocational counsellors and such other personnel as may be deemed necessary by the Institute for promoting education, training and rehabilitation of the persons with hearing impairment.
(d) To distribute or promote or subsidize the manufacture of prototypes and distribution of any or all aids designed to promote any aspect of education, rehabilitation and therapy for persons with hearing impairment.
MAJOR ACTIVITIES OF THE INSTITUTE
- Human resource development:
AYJNISHD(D), Mumbai and its Regional Centres at Kolkata, Secunderabad, Noida and Janla, Odisha conducts Doctoral, Postgraduate, Graduate, Undergraduate and Diploma level courses and certificate – vocational courses
- Short-Term Training Programmes:
In addition to the Long Term Training Programmes, the Institute also conducts Short Term Training Programmes for the professionals, academic personnel, parents of children with speech andhearing disabilities , media professionals, GOs & NGOs in the area of disability rehabilitation .
- Research and Publications:
Research projects have been designed and Carried out to increase and improve the quality of rehabilitation services. The outcomes of the researches are utilized in bringing evidence based practices in rehabilitation. Faculty of the Institute is actively involved in publishing scientific articles in national and international journals
- System:
The Academic Committee is constituted as required under the bye-laws of the Institute. The members are approved by the Executive Council of the Institute. All the projects and academic activities of the Institute are placed before the Academic Committee, including the request for extension of projects. The report of the completed projects is also examined by the Committee.
- Services
The Institute provides comprehensive diagnostic, therapeutic, educational and vocational services to persons with speech and/or hearing disabilities. As a training and research institute, the services are rendered in the best possible way to meet the needs of both rural as well as urban clients. An interdisciplinary team of audiologists, speech-language pathologists, special educators, psychologists, social workers, vocational counsellors, ENT specialists, pediatricians and neurologists maintain a high standard of rehabilitation services like:
– Evaluation and diagnosis of hearing, speech and language impairment
– Referral and follow-up
– Selection and fitting of hearing aids and ear moulds
– Parent Infant Programme
– Psychological evaluation services
– Speech & language therapy
– Psychotherapy and behavior therapy
– Parent guidance and counselling
– Pre-school training
– Outreach and extension services
– Vocational training & placement
– Educational evaluation
The Institute provides information and documentation facilities and distributes public education material in the areas of prevention, early identification, early intervention, parent training and use of hearing aid, etc.
- North East Activity
AYJNISHD (D) has initiated a number of developmental activities in the North-East region towards the rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities. An exercise to assess the changing needs of Persons with Disabilities is undertaken on a regular basis. Sensitization Workshops for Panchayat Functionaries, NGO Executives and Social Workers are conducted to create awareness about various facilities provided by the Govt. for Persons with Disabilities. As a part of promoting inclusive education in NE states , refresher as well as orientation programmes are conducted every year. As a part of empowering the NGOs in the field of rehabilitation, technical expertise and technical equipments like computers, audiometers, speech trainers are distributed. AYJNISHD (D ) has also taken a key role in creating awareness about the schemes an facilities available for persons with speech and hearing disabilities in NE states.
- Skill Training Programme
The institute is involved in the Skill development Programme of Government of India to impart Skill Training to PWDs. AYJNISHD (D ) in partnership with the empanelled institutions are striving hard to extend the services of skill training across deaf and hard of hearing across the country. The institute also imparts Skill Training at ITI level through its extension centers namely Training Center for the Adult Deaf, Hyderabad, wherein 100 Persons with Hearing Disabilities undergo ITI level training program along with their 350 counter parts .
- Disability Information Line (DIL)
Disability Information Line (DIL) is a telephonic information line to provide information on disabilities and referral services. Disability related information on Causes, Prevention, Diagnosis, Intervention/Treatment, Aids Appliances, Education, Employment, Service providers list, Government Schemes Concessions are available in DIL. Disability Information Line is accessible round the clock through telephone as it is an Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS). Information can be obtained in English, Hindi or Regional Language.
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
- National Award for the Welfare of Handicapped-Best employers of the disabled in 1996
- National Award For Barrier Free town Panchayat in 2002
- National Technology Award for CROS Hearing Aid in 2002
- National Award For “Creation Of Barrier-Free Environment For Persons With Disabilities’ in 2006
- National Award-‘Indira Gandhi Raj Bhasha Puraskar’ 2006-2007
- National Award for Best Placement Officer in 2008
- International Award ‘Manthan Award South-Asia’ for E-inclusion in 2009 from UNESCO-ICT4D
- National Award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for Accessible Website in 2010.
- India International film festival ‘Ability fest-2011’ for 60 Seconds to Fame category in 2011
- Award in International Film Festival-2011
- National Award ‘NCPEDP-MPHASIS’ Universal Design Award for ‘Universal Design in Media’ -2011
THE PILLARS OF OUR SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES
AYJNISHD(D) has been at the forefront of providing quality services, based on innovative indigenous technologies developed through its various professionally and technically equipped Departments. The services and activities are undertaken by the following inevitable Departments in the institute.
AUDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Being the backbone of the Institute, Department of Audiology with state of the art technology provides various advanced clinical services to all clients visiting the Institute from different parts of the country. Clinical services are provided under two broad sections viz. diagnostic and rehabilitative. Both diagnostic and rehabilitative services are provided to the patients from birth to old age i.e.for all age groups. The clinical services provided include: Diagnostic and Rehabilitative which comprise of a) Pure tone audiometry b) Hearing aid trial c) Immittance audiometry d) Hearing aid prescription e) Speech audiometry f) Assessment of hearing aid benefit g) BERA h) Pre-selection of Cochlear Implant i) ASSR j) Cochlear Implant Mapping k) BOA/VRA l) CI Rehabilitation- AVT.
Further, ear-moulds of various types like complete custom ear-mould, skeleton ear-mould, shell earmould and CIC are provided free of cost or at concessional rates to clients depending upon their income slab. These ear-moulds are prepared by using state of the art technology i.e. U.V ear-mould technology.
Cochlear Implant unit: This unit was established in the Department, five years ago and provides in-depth assessment and rehabilitation for patients undergoing cochlear implantation. Thus under one roof pre-cochlear implant assessment, cochlear implant mapping and post-cochlear implant rehabilitation are provided to the clients.
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Activities of the department comprise of clinical and consultancy services, human resource development, in-house and extramural research, community awareness programs, short term training programs and material development.
The services provided are: Assessment and management of speech and language of Children and adults (both hearing aid users and Cochlear Implantees), children with Autism, Learning disability, Children and adults with Stuttering/Stammering, Voice Disorders, Articulation Disorders including Dysarthria / Apraxia, speech delay or disorder due to Cleft lip and / palate, swallowing disorders and aphasia.
In addition to providing assessment and (re)habilitation services to one of the most recent and advanced units of the Institute viz. Cochlear Implant Unit (Dept. of Audiology), the clinic of the Department has two Specialized Units viz. Voice Unit for assistance & therapy to individuals with voice disorders and Unit for individuals with cleft lip and/or palate. In January 2012, another important unit was added viz. Unit for assessment and rehabilitation of individuals having swallowing disorders. The most outstanding feature of these specialized units of the clinic is that they are well equipped with instruments which are recent, advanced and have state of the art technology.
The Indian Sign Language Cell working currently under this Department was established in the institute in May 2001 as a 3-year project. The project got the extension in the year 2003 for 5 years and with expansion to the other Regional Centers of AYJNISHD (D). This cell is equipped with Staff and Professionals to train hearing persons be Indian Sign Language (ISL) interpreters and Deaf persons to become ISL teachers/instructors. This cell is also involved in providing need-based interpreter services. Other aims and objectives of ISL are:
(a) To train hearing persons in ISL interpreting at Diploma Level or Certificate levels with Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) certification,
(b) To train Persons who are Deaf to become ISL Instructors/Teachers,
(c) Development of teaching/learning materials for training in ISL.
The ISL cell conducts the following courses: Diploma in Sign Language Interpreter Course (DSLIC) and ISL Level A (Introductory level), Level B (Advance level) and Level C (Professional interpreter level) Certificate Courses. These courses are for hearing persons who want to be able to fluently communicate with the deaf and become professional ISL Interpreters.
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
The Education Departmental activities comprise of training of teachers, curriculum development for school education and support for special colleges for the deaf. Services provided by the Dept. of Education are Educational Assessment; Educational Guidance, assessment for the recommendation for Special School Placement, Inclusive/Regular School Placement, Pre-School Placement EIP/PIP Placement, NIOS Placement, Language, Exemption, HSC Examination Reference, College Education Reference, Identity Card Reference and Scholarship Reference.
The Department of Education is also a Special Accredited Centre of National Institute of Open Schooling (SAIED). This study centre provides opportunities to all school dropouts, street children and other educationally disadvantaged children to complete their secondary education.
Institutional research and also research in collaboration with other organizations both national and international has been taken up by the Dept. An outcome of one such research project is two standardized tests namely- adapted version of GAEL-P and Test of School Readiness(TSR) .
PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Psychology Department’s services include psychological screening, detailed psychological assessment, guidance, counselling, therapy (individual or group) for clients presenting with a range of problems, such as hearing impairment, communication disorders, mental retardation, learning disabilities, and emotional disorders associated with hearing impairment
SOCIO-ECONOMIC REHABILITATION DEPARTMENT (SERD)
Vocational Counseling, Preparation of Railway Concession Certificate, Referral for Vocational Training or for Employment, Individual Guidance to cases in terms of facilitating of use of Institute services/referrals, Individual Counseling to deaf/ parents of deaf – both children & adults, Family Counseling to couples/family members/ Caregivers/ Foster parent/NGO representatives, are the major services of SERD. Implementation of Skill Development Programmes of PWDs, conducting of Computer Courses for Persons with Speech and Hearing Disabilities in affiliation with Maharashtra State Board & Vocational Examination & Education and organizes short-term training programme for professionals, NGOs in the field of Socio-Economic Rehabilitation are other activities.
OUTREACH & EXTENSION SERVICES DEPARTMENT (OESD)
MAJOR OBJECTIVES OF OESD a) Provide Community Awareness, Public Education and Professional Orientation b) Provide Services for Early Identification and Intervention of the Hearing Handicapped. c) Extending facilities for distribution of aids and appliances under ADIP scheme. d) Strengthening the existing schools/centres by providing technical inputs. e) To motivate the organization to start the rehabilitation centres/schools for the hearing handicapped. f) To initiate and implement Research on Awareness, Prevention, Screening, Communication, Identification, Intervention and Education of persons with speech and hearing disabilities. g) To invite the brilliant youngsters to take up the challenging vocation of an Audiologist/Speech Therapist/Special Teachers/Sign Language Interpreters for the Deaf are part of outreach and extension service activity.
To create awareness, orient and to educate the public on prevention, causes, early identification & intervention of hearing impaired and its consequences OESD holds a number of programs, for example, exhibitions, screening video films, ppts/slides, mobilizing the local media, social media, traditional and mainstream media such as T.V. Radio, Press, etc. Follow-up programs are usually organized 3 to 4 months after the diagnostic camp. In addition, the following activities are carried out during the follow-up program. 1. Hearing aid fitment service. 2. Ear-mould fitment service 3. Audiometry (Hearing Evaluation). 4. Speech & Language Therapy/Guidance. 5. Vocational Guidance/Placement. 6. Educational Placement. 7. Parent session. 8. Teacher Session. 9. Parent-teacher group session. 10. Media student/Professional education programs.
INFORMATION & DOCUMENTATION CENTRE
The following are the major objectives: acquisition, assimilation and dissemination of information; Library Service; facilitating Computerization; coordinating internet services; maintenance of hardware; maintaining of institute website; a compilation of various reports. The institute is maintaining an accessible bilingual website – ayjnihh.nic.in. The website provides exhaustive information on speech, hearing impairment and rehabilitation. It has information about various aspects of early identification, prevention, diagnosis, intervention and assistance to persons with hearing impairment and their families. The digital content in terms of specific news and events are frequently being updated on the website. Client registration, ADIP scheme report, Library services and accounts and pay are digitalized. Database of client registration data since inception is maintained for better patient service.
There is a centrally air-conditioned library at AYJNISHD (D) that can accommodate sixty persons at a given time. It has over 17047 reading material including 1032 Hindi books, more than 1500 bound issues of back volumes of journals, 30 e-journals, 601 microfilms and 356 audio-visuals. Free Internet facility is made available to staff and students of AYJNISHD (D).
Disability Information Line (DIL) – Disability Information Line is created to provide information on disabilities through an IVRS system which is accessible by a local call. This system provides information on diagnostic & fitment services, govt. schemes & facilities, educational & vocational services and addresses & details of service providers. The information is available on IVRS( accessible 24 x 7 through telephone), SMS, E-mail and dialogue modes (through the operator on working days and working hours) in Hindi, English and local language at a local call cost. DIL is implemented in the states of Maharashtra-Goa, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Assam, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim, Kerala and Punjab Telecom Circles.
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION
(NGO) CELL
Realizing the pivotal role of NGOs played in the rehabilitation of persons with speech and hearing disabilities, the institute created an NGO Cell at the institute, to coordinate with NGOs in various parts of the country with due approval of the Ministry. The Institute is assigned to reach out to NGOs in the 7 states situated in the western region such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Daman, Diu & Dadra Nagar Haveli. The Institute is responsible to conduct inspection, guide and monitor the NGOs, that receive the grant-in-aid from Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India, New Delhi. The Institute officials are deputed to NGOs for the purpose. The grant is released by the Ministry on receipt of the inspection report from the Institute. As a part of its short term training activities, the Institute conducts regional and national level workshops across the country for the NGOs. The prime objectives of such a workshop are to acquaint the NGOs with the latest trends/technology in the field of rehabilitation and exchange of ideas. During this meet, efforts are made to clarify the doubts/problems faced by the NGOs due to non-receipt of grants. These national and regional meets have helped both the Institute and the NGOs to reduce the gap in providing services to the PwDs in an enhanced manner. Apart these , The technical and financial collaborations of the AYJNISHD (D ) with deaf organizations and professional bodies like NCED-India ,ISHA helped in professional enrichment as well as reaching out the unreached .
All these departments of AYJNISHD(D) helped in the growth of of the Institute at the academic front through various national and international academic publications, journals that demonstrate the professional achievements of the staff of the institute. The value addition is made by the institute through its own journals namely ‘Journal of Communication Disorder’ and ‘Journal of Cochlear Implant’. Both these peer-reviewed journals depict the scientific growth in the field of Education of the Deaf, Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology and solutions to various socio-economic challenges faced by persons with disabilities. The extensive expertise within the institute along with the extensive network of national and international scientific bodies, Government and Non-Government agencies, technology transfer agencies, industrial and engineering concerns ensures the persons with speech and hearing disabilities in receiving the advanced technology and accelerated inclusive services.
