Ahmedabad, July 31: Persons with deafblindness and multiple disabilities, families, educators and disability professionals from across western India came together in Ahmedabad for a two-day regional conclave focused on strengthening their collective voice, building advocacy skills and creating pathways towards greater independence and inclusion.
The West Regional Networks’ Meeting, held on 28–29 July 2026 at The President Hotel, Ahmedabad, was organised by the Deafblind Regional Centre, established at Blind People’s Association, Ahmedabad, with support from Sense International India Participants represented partner organisations and networks from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Madhya Pradesh.
For persons with deafblindness, inclusion often depends not only on access to services but also on strong networks of families, educators, siblings and peers who can share experiences, advocate for rights and find solutions together. The conclave created a platform for these voices to connect, learn and identify priorities for action within their communities.
‘When persons with deafblindness, families and professionals come together, they move from being individual voices to a collective force for change. These networks are critical because they enable people to learn from one another, advocate for their rights and create solutions rooted in their own lived experiences. Our aim is to ensure that persons with deafblindness are not merely recipients of support, but active participants in decisions that shape their lives.’ said Uttam Kumar, CEO, Sense International India.
Across two days, the conclave moved beyond discussions to practical capacity building. Sessions covered strengthening advocacy networks, the role of parents in the National Education Policy, using social media and storytelling for advocacy, media engagement, Activities of Daily Living (ADL), assistive technology for independent living and self-employment and livelihood opportunities.
Hands-on sessions, including practical cooking and daily living activities, demonstrated how the right training and support can enable persons with deafblindness and multiple disabilities to build greater independence in everyday life.
Participants also worked together to identify regional needs and develop action plans to strengthen networks across western India. The conclave focused on building sustainable networks that can engage more effectively with communities, service providers, government systems and other stakeholders.
Sense India supports four national networks: Udaan, a network of adults with deafblindness; Prayaas, a network of families of persons with deafblindness; Abhi-Prerna, a network of educators working with persons with deafblindness; and Bandhan, a network of siblings of persons with deafblindness.
Alongside these national networks, local and state-level family networks provide spaces where members can exchange experiences, find peer support and collectively advocate for better access to education, rehabilitation, livelihood opportunities and rights.
Regional meetings play an important role in taking these conversations closer to communities. The West Regional Networks’ Meeting concluded with a focus on four priorities: building stronger and more motivated regional networks; identifying regional needs and developing action plans; strengthening capacities in advocacy, sustainability and network management; and improving linkages with existing support systems for persons with deafblindness and multiple disabilities.
Event Snapshot
•Date: 28–29 July 2026
•Venue: The President Hotel, Ahmedabad
•Organiser: DbRC, established at Blind People’s Association, Ahmedabad
•Supported by: Sense India
•Participation: Partner organisations supported by Sense India across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Madhya Pradesh and Pune