A Study of the Issues or challenges encountered by Visually Impaired people during the Pandemic of Covid-19 in India

◆Ramdas Shivhare　2024/10/25-26　“A Study of the Issues or challenges encountered by Visually Impaired people during the Pandemic of Covid-19 in India”,　障害学国際セミナー2024,　於：台北（台湾）
◇障害学国際セミナー2024 ◇障害学国際セミナー
◇障害学 ◇立岩真也

◆Ramdas Shivhare　2024/10/25-26　“A Study of the Issues or challenges encountered by Visually Impaired people during the Pandemic of Covid-19 in India”

A. Challenges faced by the Visually impaired people in India.

1. Dependence on Touch • Visually challenged individuals rely on touch, restricted during the pandemic. 2. Increased Vulnerability • Heightened risk and need for special care throughout Covid-19. 3. Struggles with Essentials • Difficulties accessing food, healthcare, and basic needs. 4. Job Loss and Financial Strain • Many faced job losses and financial instability, leading to significant anxiety.

B. Question to be raised for visually impaired people in India

• How did visually impaired individuals in India exercise their rights during the pandemic? • What obstacles and challenges did they encounter, both as citizens and as employees within public, private, and unorganized sectors? • What social and attitudinal barriers affected their daily lives during the pandemic? • How did they address these challenges in constructive and innovative ways?

C. RESULTS OF THE STUDY:

Several NGOs, including the Blind Relief Association Delhi, Saksham, and the National Association for the Blind, established dedicated helplines to support visually impaired individuals. These helplines were crucial in raising awareness and providing essential services. The teams reached out to visually impaired people and their families in distress, offering services such as psychological and medical counselling, access to healthcare, and delivery of essential items like medicine kits and dry rations.

D. Conclusion and Recommendations:

This paper aims to explore the nature of Indian society through an analysis of specialized Covid-19 helplines funded primarily by social donations. It assesses the impact of these helplines on the lives of visually impaired individuals and examines how they can serve as a model for future disaster management and public health planning. Additionally, the paper emphasizes the need for more inclusive policies and practices, advocating for better representation of all societal segments in both legislative and operational processes which includes strengthening Helpline Infrastructure, Improving Inclusivity in Policy Making, Promoting Awareness and Training, utilize helplines as Models, etc.

E. Methodology:

The proposed study is exploratory in nature and has used both secondary and primary data. The researcher has analysed reports from Covid-19 helplines for persons with disabilities operated by NGOs in India. Additionally, personal interviews have been conducted with visually impaired individuals randomly selected from these helpline databases. The study has also incorporated relevant newspaper articles and media reports.

PROCESS:

• The researcher has collected data from randomly selected persons using semi-structured questionnaire. • The semi-structural questionnaire will be used because the researcher seeks to capture the quantitative as well as qualitative aspects and impact of Covid-19 to the visually impaired population.

F. REFERENCES:

• Covid helpline report, prepare by Blind Relief Association, Delhi in 2021 • Annual report of Blind Relief Association, Delhi 2020-21 • Annual report of Blind Relief Association, Delhi 2021-22. • Covid helpline report prepare by Saksham NGO