Our Journey of Spreading Hearing Awareness, Providing Therapy, and Fostering Creativity in Mumbai’s Deaf Community.
Every December 3rd, the world comes together to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities—a day dedicated to recognizing the abilities, achievements, and rights of persons with disabilities. At The Stephen School for Deaf and Aphasic, we have been serving children with hearing loss for the past 66 years. Our primary focus is on identifying hearing-impaired children within the first three years of their lives.
Hearing loss is often referred to as an invisible disability, but its impact is deeply felt in the lives of those affected and their families. To address this, our organization has been actively conducting hearing awareness campaigns, reaching over 13,400 beneficiaries to raise awareness. Our programs go beyond just awareness—we also organize free hearing screenings across Mumbai, having screened over 8,700 children (ages 0-6) for hearing loss.
These initiatives have not only helped identify hearing impairments early but have also opened pathways to intervention and support for many children. More than 3,000 profoundly deaf children have received formal education at our institute. We provide tailored speech therapy sessions designed to help children with hearing loss develop their speech and language skills.
Our educational programs for the deaf focus on fostering an inclusive learning environment where every child is given an opportunity to excel.
Beyond Books: Nurturing Creativity Through Art
Children with hearing impairments are often highly gifted in many ways. With their auditory senses limited, other sensory capabilities, such as visual and kinesthetic skills, are often more developed and expressed. Recently, we organized an art competition that brought together 54 students from eight deaf schools across Mumbai. This event celebrated talent, diversity, and expression as students showcased their artistic skills on themes that resonated with their lives and dreams.
The competition was a remarkable success, offering young artists a platform to express themselves and be recognized for their unique abilities. Winners received cash prizes, and all artwork was showcased to guests and invitees. One participant shared, “This competition gave me the confidence to share my ideas with the world. It made me feel included.” Parents and teachers echoed this sentiment, highlighting how the event boosted the morale and self-esteem of the participants. The joy and excitement were the true victories of the event.
Such initiatives remind us that art knows no boundaries. Every child, regardless of their abilities, can shine.
World Disability Day: Celebrating Inclusivity
World Disability Day is a celebration of inclusivity and societal progress toward embracing individuals with disabilities. We salute the dedicated professionals working tirelessly to make the world more accessible for people with diverse abilities. As we observe this significant day, we invite you to join us in our mission. You can support us by volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the message of hearing care and inclusion. Let’s unite to ensure that every person with hearing loss has the opportunity to live a fulfilling and dignified life.
(The author is the director of The Stephan School for the Deaf & Aphasic)
