Graham Bell Centre for the Deaf
We will support the Graham Bell Centre for the Deaf (GBCD) to implement project SWANIRMAN, a project for providing training and increasing the awareness of deaf children and their parents to empower them to take decision for themselves
Graham Bell Centre for the Deaf (GBCD), a non-governmental organization, was founded in 1991 at Pandua, the block headquarters of Pandua Block, Hooghly district, by a group of young and enthusiastic people of the area.
GBCD's Vision
To create a non-threatening and non-discriminating environment within society, so that people with disabilities can enjoy life with equal rights, equal opportunities and full participation, like all other member of society
GBCD's Mission
To empower people with disabilities and to promote economic self-reliance among them, to ensure an integrated society
Project Summary:
- early identification and early intervention by involving the ICDS-workers and ANM-workers of the block
- training of parents of pre-school deaf children, to prepare their deaf children for inclusion at the appropriate age training of school teachers
- to ensure successful inclusion of pre-lingual deaf children in local general schools facilitate the formation of block level federation of parents
Currently 128 deaf people have been identified in 44 villages in 5 Gram Panchayats. There are 16 Gram Panchayats with 158 villages in Pandua Block.

