Introduction (About Myself):
I am A.Kamaraj. I am a Post Graduate. I have completed M.A in English Literature in 2005 from Thiygarajar College
I have successfully overcome my physical disability (100% visual impairment) and I have built a career for myself. Presently, I am working in IBM Bangalore as System Operation Specialist (Employed since 29 June 2006)
As life has been kind to me I would wish the same for my fellow brothers and sisters. I would like to do my best to try and help people who are visually impaired get good jobs.
- I have provided JAWS software to the hospital where I got treatment, as there was not much awareness about the usefulness of JAWS software. This helped the doctors to guide other visually impaired patients who are educated.
- Provided the doctors with the details of various organizations who are providing various courses for the Visually Impaired.
- I have gone to the college where I completed my PG, and provided guidance to the visually impaired students on what they can do after the completion of their college education.
- I have made college students aware about JAWS software. I have also provided information about job opportunities in IT companies.
- I have visited the Vocational Rehabitational Centre (
- In VRC, I informed them about the VI people who were now well-settled in good jobs. I also made them aware of self-employment possibilities like making camphor and sandal sticks.
- I have also met VI students at The American College. They were not aware of the job opportunities. They were of the mindset that they could only get jobs as school or college staff. So they opted mostly for courses like B.A. Tamil or English. I made them aware of the job opportunities available in telemarketing, medical transcriptions and IT. The students were made aware of the importance of English knowledge. Seeing their interest, I made them aware of JAWS software and its usefulness.
- When I came to know about Medical Transcription Job, which is reliable for VI, explored about the companies in
- Another person called “Ganesha Moorthy” was referred to the same company for Medical Transcription training. He was poor in English communication. The company has planned to train him in English and medical transcription and then provide him a job.
- The Aniruddha Company and I planned to guide more students who are suffering without jobs.
- Then my interest increased to support more students who were not aware of communication skills, computer skills and Job opportunities. I started to guide many students about the availability of courses which would be helpful to lead their lives.
- Collected more details about the organizations which are offering courses for the Visually Impaired people and started to give the students who approached me from the college where I studied and hospitals where I received treatments.
- Suddenly something struck my mind about the hospitals where the patients come for treatment. I approached my doctor, Dr. Ilango,
- I approached an organization called “Makal Kalaham” which is providing many courses for various disabled people and poor people and checked whether any courses are available for Visually Impaired. They referred me to another organization which was providing courses for Visually Impaired. I made them aware of the JAWS software and told them that if they could train the students in JAWS, they would find it extremely useful. They finally agreed to conduct courses in JAWS after consultation with their top management. This is a major success for me.
- Then I approached IAB (Indian Association for Blind) in
- I approached “Society for Integrated Rural Developments” who was working hard for the welfare of poor people. I requested them to guide the Visually Impaired people as well. The outcome of the meeting with Mr. Jeeva, Director of the organization ended in collaboration with Aniruddha Company to offer courses for Visually Impaired.
- A student called Arumugam(09994431464) who is highly qualified in English has completed M.A M.Phil. B.Ed and he was in confused stage about his future. I advised him to approach many schools for a teaching position. He registered in employment office, He got a job as school staff, and is currently earning about Rs. 12,000 per month.
- As I have completed my JAWS training in NIVH Chennai, after getting job in IBM. I approached NIVH to give them more self confidence, and explained about the use of JAWS and the job opportunities offered in IT concerns.
- A student named Suresh who had completed 12th standard could not continue his education due to loss of vision. He was referred to me through the hospital where I took treatment. I made him aware of the importance of education. He agreed to go to NIVH for JAWS training. He also promised to approach various universities to continue his education. The fact that I made him continue his education after a gap of ten years s a good sign.
- Another person called Karthickeyan was working in a company. Due to sudden loss of sight, he came to me. I referred him to “Enable India” in
- Another person called Deepika,(09894176309) who has completed MBA, approached me. She experienced loss of sight after the completion of her studies. She was not aware of the JAWS software. I met her and gave her the JAWS demo software and also advised her to register for the six week course in JAWS which is offered by NIVH in Chennai. I also asked her to approach “Enable India” in
- One person called Subramanian(09842596080) who is married with a child, experienced sudden loss of sight. Due to this, his wife left him. This made Subramanian to become frustrated and depressed. He did not come out of his house for six months. I contacted him and encouraged him, which rejuvenated his self-confidence. He has now gone to Chennai to get himself trained in JAWS.
- One person called Pavalan(09840961077,09840433282) who is partially sighted, has completed many courses like shorthand, telephone operating, JAWS and Medical Training. But he dint have the idea of how to approach people and how to get a job. I took him to
- After getting a clear idea how to guide students I have an idea to open a centre for Visually Impaired with the help of the doctor who treated me, and with the help of my college principal. Now with God’s grace I have got a place and five computers donated by
- I have donated 2 computers to
- One Girl called Anushia has been advised by me and got a job in Indian Assosiation for Blind(IAB Madurai) as a computer trainer and earning money of her own. She is happy and want to achieve more and more after my motivational talks and guidance.
- My actions is extended even to non disables who is lacking in exploring jobs even after their studies I spoke amoung Thiyarajar college and Manar college Madurai. This can be crosschecked with Mr Raja Govinda Samy(09994493930).
- I have spoke in Madurai Suryan FM for the benefits of VI and to create awareness for all Business people about the JAWS software and about the Job oppurtunities.
I went to Aravind Eye hospital and met the field workers, and gave them idea about the importance of educations and job availabilities. Basically field workers job is to identify the disabled people and ask them to go to hospital, these workers will also be going to villages. But the field workers have no knowledge as where do they find information about the facilities available.
The ideas suggested are,
1. Once identified try to find how confident they are and make them aware of schools available where they can provide good educations.
2. If they are educated and not employed make them aware of job available in banks and various sectors.
3. Low vision people can be employed in any job if they are educated well.
4. Make them listen to news and some one should help in reading newspapers.
5. If possible make them self employed like packing stuffs and others and told them not to sit idle at home.
6. After retirement most of the people may be sitting in the village, identify them as they may have better ideas about helping disabled people to read and write, so identify such people and make a group then and there.
Gave an interview to Suryan FM channel, Madurai .I spoke on the awareness of disabled people’s opportunities available. Parents should not stop their own child’s interest, as my parent’s hasn’t stopped my interest, same way all parents should give full support for their children growth.
Made a request to educational departments for allocating seats to disabled people. Also requested to the entrepreneurs and local IT companies for providing jobs to all kind of disabled people.
Gave an interview for Kumkumam Magazine:
1. Introduced myself, and explained them how I lost my vision and how I overcome my day-to-day problems.
2. Gave many tips for the parents how to motivate the children. Never cry in front of the children. Always encourage children for each and every thing.
3. Try to have enough confident, and try for better education and try to give exams for govt post, most of the post are empty as no one is trying for it. Please train yourself for the better skills and get yourself employed.
Many people are working in various posts like bank clerks, Indian Oil Corporation, railway announcement etc.
Afternoon session:
Went to one blind school where lot of children was very much interested in education, though the school had only till 8th standard. I motivated them more by telling the job availability and how to select courses.
Told them that soon I will conduct cultural programs and they will be given surprise gifts.
Gone to one School called Pattu Poochi, where education is provided to all kind of disabled people. I checked what kind of tools and other stuffs they have. They personally requested me to provide them the computers, through which they can train the students with JAWS knowledge. So when they pass out of the school they will be trained well and will be easier for their higher education and will be prepared for self employment.
In all the above mentioned programs I highlighted three things which are important that is
1. Improve English knowledge in aspects of communications.
2. Concentrate in General Knowledge.
3. Importance of JAWS training.
Afternoon:
I went to Shanmugams NGO, where he has a hostel for disabled people. I met the students from 1st standard to college, and made them aware of job availabilities, told them to get the one word aptitude books and convert it to cassettes and get them trained.
Met with field workers of that NGO where they work in various parts of Tamilnadu. Made them aware of various category of VI, gave them tips to help people with low vision and total blindness. I also added that “All have very good future if they are properly trained”. So highlighted them where the educations are given and how to approach for jobs.
- Now Trying to set up an computer center in Aravind Care Eye hospital(
- The objectives of my centre will be as follows:
Short time Goals:
1. To rehabilitate and empower the visually impaired with employment and dignity in the society. To improve their earning potential in general.
2. To help visually impaired people to develop good communication skills.
3. Make them good in Job Access with speech software which enables them to work with computers.
4. Providing study materials, tuition centers and appointing good mentors for VI.
5. Arranging for various competitive exams and provide other skills.
6. Arrange necessary training sessions to VI people to help them to lead their life independently.
7. Providing Job opportunities to the VI persons.
8. Arranging for medical help and guidance for preserving the existing health condition of the visually impaired people.
9. Arranging for supplying necessary equipment to the VI persons; similar help may be rendered to the other disabled persons also.
Future Plans are as followsLLong time Goals)
1. To open a school with all facilities for the VI and other disabled persons.
2. To arrange shelter with food and with all basic needs for the VI and other disabled persons.
3. To provide suitable training for the disabled persons.
4. To provide necessary moral and financial support for the VI students to realize their potential and become self-reliant.
5. To provide for care for the aged, widows, orphans the sick needy, Physically handicapped and destitute and to establish take over and manage homes, orphanage, hostels, laboratories.
