ALI YAVAR JUNG NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE HEARING HANDICAPPED, MUMBAI.

ALI YAVAR JUNG NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE HEARING HANDICAPPED, MUMBAI.

Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped, Mumbai is an autonomous institute working under the Department of Disability Affairs, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. The Institute established in 1983, is celebrating its 30th Annual Day on 9^th August 2013.

The institute has four regional centers at Kolkata, New Delhi, Secunderabad and Janla. It also has two Composite Rehabilitation Centers at Bhopal and Ahmedabad. Manpower development, Research, Clinical activities, Information & Documentation, Outreach & Extension services and Material development are the main objectives of the Institute.

Manpower development - Manpower development is one of the major activities of the Institute.  Considering the need for trained professionals in the area, the Institute has started different training programs in Speech & Hearing and Special Education affiliated to local universities and recognized by Rehabilitation Council of India. Programs at the Diploma, Degree and Post-Graduate & Doctoral level are conducted at Mumbai and its regional centers.  Along with these long- term courses the Institute continuously provides short – term training to the different target groups and allied professionals in the field of rehabilitation of the disabled. The Indian Sign Language Cell (ISLC) of the Institute runs three courses:– Introductory Level, Intermediate Level and Professional Interpreter Level at AYJNIHH, Mumbai and its regional centers.

Research - Research forms an integral part of the activities of the institute. The research projects of the AYJNIHH are primarily application-oriented and community – based.  These are intended to increase and improve the re/habilitation services, and to reach out to a larger number of persons with hearing impairment.

Clinical Activities- The Institute also renders services to person with hearing-impairment both at institute and at the community level.  An interdisciplinary team of audiologists, speech language pathologists, special educators, psychologists, social workers, ENT specialists, pediatricians and neurologists maintain a high standard of rehabilitation services.  State of art technology is available for early identification and diagnosis of hearing impairment, early intervention, and speech and language rehabilitation.

Outreach & Extension Services – A professional team visits unserved areas to provide diagnostic, intervention and other rehabilitation services. A separate department has been set up at the institute to provide services to the unreached population of the country. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India has allotted 42 districts to the Institute in the states /union territories of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli to conduct camps.

Information and Documentation - The Institute serves as a repository of all information pertaining to the area of disability specially hearing impairment. It maintains a library that is equipped with reading material including books, microfilms, and audio-visual back volumes of journals. The computer center disseminates information about individuals and organizations working for the disabled. The Institute has launched Disability Information Line (Dil), an IVRS based 24 hours telephonic service for persons with disabilities in the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Assam, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim, Kerala, and Punjab telecom circles

Material Development - Creating awareness is one of the main objectives of the institute. In this regard the Institute has developed material in various forms for awareness and training purposes.

Achievements - In this span of time, many milestones have been crossed and several National and International Awards won. AYJNIHH continues its pursuit of excellence in as it strives to improve the quality of life of persons with hearing impairment.