Credit: Special arrangement.
The National Association for the Blind - Karnataka (NABK), which has been training and empowering visually impaired individuals for nearly five decades, is seeking public support to raise Rs 2 crore to renew the lease of its headquarters in Jeevan Bima Nagar.
Established in 1977, NABK’s site was allotted in 1985, with the first building block set up in 1986.
“The association’s 30-year lease expired in 2015. We have been in talks with the BDA for renewal since then. The government issued an order waiving penalties and interest for delayed renewals for NABK recently,” said Srikant Rao, honorary vice-president. The deadline for payment is November 1, which will secure the site until 2046.
The centre, NABK’s main skill development hub, offers free residential training, food and accommodation. Programmes range from a six-week foundation course on basic orientation, mobility and daily living skills to 3-4 month vocational training. Vocational training includes blue-collar skills like garment-making and light engineering (with placements).
“We also provide basic and advanced computer training, which helps prepare the students for jobs such as receptionists, data entry operators, telecallers and HR executives,” added Rao.
Last year, around 120 students were trained in the foundation course, 95 in basic computer skills, 50 in advanced computer usage, 50 in blue-collar skills, and 75 in a course for speech and hearing-impaired students.
To contribute, contact 63638 91284 or outreach@nabkarnataka.org.