World through words: Movie screening for the visually-impaired by Essar Foundation

Surat: India has the misfortune of having the highest proportion of blind and people of low vision. It is estimated that there are about 14 million blind and 28 million people of low-vision in our country. The government has been undertaking various programs to mainstream the physically disabled. The American Council for the Blind (ACB) established an audio description project (ADP) to boost levels of audio description, which was later replicated in the rest of the world.  

Under the aegis of Essar Steel, Essar Foundation in partnership with Saksham Trust, a Delhi-based organization working for the disabled, conceptualized a nationwide campaign called Unmukt to screen audio movies for the visually impaired. After successful screening of movies in Ahmedabad and Jamnagar, Essar Foundation organized a third screening at Surat. This was the first time a popular Bollywood film (Taare zameen par) was screened to children of different levels of visual impairment. 

Joining 150 visually impaired children, 50 sighted people also experienced the film blindfolded to understand and appreciate what it is not to be able to see and yet enjoy a film. The technology of audio description has been used to customize the award-winning film for the visually impaired. Audio description includes a voice-over that describes portions of the film that have silent action and visuals, and fills the gaps where the visually-impaired might have difficulty in relating to the story. This allows a visually-impaired person enjoy a film without being dependent on a sighted person. Saksham, an organization working in the disability sector, is a pioneer in using this technology to make films audio descriptive.

Visually impaired children from Andhjan Shikshan Mandal, Surat along with their teachers enjoyed the movie and requested for screening of other similar movies. The program was formally inaugurated by the district education officer of Surat, Mr DS Patel along with other key government officials including the medical superintendent and in charge, District Disability Rehabilitation Centre (DDRC) and in the presence of officials from the education department and important persons from Surat district. Mr DS Patel, the district education officer, said, "I am overwhelmed to see the projects undertaken by Essar Foundation. Such an endeavor of inclusion has been experimented by very few. I request Essar Foundation to screen this movie across the state."

Ms Geeta Shroff, Chairperson CSR for South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and social worker, said, "When companies are still grappling with ideas for spending their CSR funds, Essar Foundation has taken a big leap in the right direction. I welcome Essar Foundation's innovativeness and would be happy to partner with them for all their upcoming CSR programs."

Mr Shashikant, Trustee of  Andhjan Shikshan Mandal, said, "Although India signed a treaty at the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities stating to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities in 1992, today after 20 years , I feel that the day of real inclusion has come. I would like to thank Essar and would like to work closely with Essar Foundation to bring more cohesiveness and inclusion for the physically challenged."

Senior management officials from Essar and the women of the Ladies Club showed their solidarity with the cause by watching the movie with the children. The event got wide coverage in print and electronic media.