The Institution for the Blind is located in the south of New Delhi, it provides tuition to 8th standard and board and lodging until 12th standard. As well as the usual academic syllabus tuition is available in Braille, computer literacy, orientation & mobility and music. Some vocational training, such as candle making, is also provided. The school is currently home to 120 boys with 11 teaching and 13 non-teaching staff. Links-India runs two projects at the Institution.
Sponsorship
Sadly it is not uncommon for a blind or low vision child to be brought to the school and then abandoned. The major concern for these children is what will happen to them after they finish their education. Links-India has therefore taken on the sponsorship of 4 of these boys and is setting up a small fund that will enable them to have some choices when they eventually leave school. One child, for instance, is determined to become a music teacher and with the help of the fund we will be able to contribute to his higher education fees.
Literacy Project for Low-Vision Children
Until 2008 all of the children at the Institution learned to read in Braille. In February 2008 Links-India set up a literacy project for low-vision children. With the help of strong magnifying glasses and computer equipment 27 children are now learning to read and write in Hindi and English. This will make a huge difference to their lives and we are keen to sustain and extend this project.